CARS Strategy for the MCAT

Overview

CARS = 53 questions in 90 minutes across 9 passages. NO outside knowledge is needed — everything you need is in the passage.

Passages come from humanities, social sciences, ethics, philosophy, and cultural studies.

Active Reading

• Build a mental outline of each paragraph's purpose
• Note transition words: however, moreover, nevertheless — they signal shifts
• Paraphrase each paragraph in one sentence
• Identify the author's thesis and tone

Question Types

1. Foundations of Comprehension: Answer is directly stated in the passage
2. Reasoning Within the Text: Evaluate the logic and structure
3. Reasoning Beyond the Text: Apply passage ideas to new situations

Common Traps

• Extreme language ("always," "never") is usually wrong
• Partially correct answers that miss a key nuance
• Answers that are true but not supported by the passage
• Opposite of the author's actual view