CARS Strategy

CARS Strategy

Part 1 of 7 — Understanding the CARS Section

What is CARS?

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
• 53 questions, 90 minutes (~9 passages, ~6 questions each)
• Passages from humanities and social sciences (NO science content!)
• Tests reading comprehension, not knowledge

CARS is Different from Science Sections

The Three Question Types

1. Foundations of Comprehension (~30%): What did the author say?
2. Reasoning Within the Text (~30%): Why did the author say it? How does the argument work?
3. Reasoning Beyond the Text (~40%): How does it apply? What can we infer?

Timing Strategy

• ~10 minutes per passage (read + answer)
• First pass reading: 4-5 minutes
• Questions: 5-6 minutes
• Flag and move on — don't get stuck on one question!

CARS Fundamentals 🎯

Key Takeaways — Part 1

• CARS tests critical reading, not content knowledge
• ~10 min per passage (53 questions, 90 minutes)
• Three question types: Comprehension, Reasoning Within, Reasoning Beyond
• NEVER leave a question blank — no penalty for guessing

CARS Strategy

Part 2 of 7 — Active Reading Techniques

How to Read CARS Passages

DO NOT read passively! Active reading means:

1. Identify the main idea of each paragraph as you go
2. Track the author's tone (positive, negative, neutral, critical?)
3. Note structural shifts ("However," "On the other hand," "Despite this")
4. Don't memorize details — know WHERE things are, not WHAT they say

The Paragraph Map Strategy

After reading each paragraph, mentally note:

• P1: Main claim or thesis
• P2: Supporting evidence or counterargument
• P3: Author's response or new perspective
• Continue...

Author's Main Idea (AMI)

After finishing the passage, you should be able to state:

• What is the MAIN argument?
• Is the author FOR or AGAINST it?
• What evidence supports the position?

Warning Signs of Passive Reading

• You reached the end but can't summarize the passage
• You're rereading sentences multiple times
• You're highlighting everything (or nothing)
• You don't know the author's position

Active Reading 🎯

Key Takeaways — Part 2

• Read ACTIVELY: track main ideas, author's tone, and transitions
• Know WHERE information is, not every detail
• After each paragraph: what was the point?
• After the passage: what is the Author's Main Idea?

CARS Strategy

Part 3 of 7 — Eliminating Wrong Answers

The CARS Elimination Framework

On CARS, finding the WRONG answers is often easier than finding the right one.

Types of Wrong Answers

The "Goldilocks" Principle

The best CARS answer is usually:

• Not too extreme, not too narrow
• Closely supported by text
• Matches the author's tone
• Addresses the specific question being asked

CARS Strategy

Part 4 of 7 — Handling Difficult Passages

When You're Lost

1. Don't panic — difficult passages are designed to be difficult for everyone
2. Focus on structure: Even if content is confusing, you can track:
   • What is the author arguing?
   • Are they for or against something?
   • Where does the argument shift?

Difficult Passage Types

The 2-Pass Approach for Hard Passages

Pass 1: Read through once, get the gist (don't stop to reread) Pass 2: Use questions to guide you back to specific sections

When to Skip a Passage

CARS Strategy

Part 5 of 7 — Question-Specific Strategies

Main Idea Questions

• "The central thesis of the passage is..."
• "The author's primary purpose is..."
• Strategy: Should match your AMI (Author's Main Idea). Eliminate options that are too narrow or only cover one paragraph.

Detail / Retrieval Questions

• "According to the passage..."
• "The author states that..."
• Strategy: Go back to the passage! The answer is explicitly stated. Don't rely on memory.

Inference Questions

• "It can be inferred that..."
• "The author would most likely agree that..."
• Strategy: Answer must be SUPPORTED by text but not directly stated. Stay close to the text — don't make big leaps.

Strengthen / Weaken Questions

• "Which would most strengthen the author's argument?"
• "Which finding would most undermine the claim?"
• Strategy: Identify the core argument first, then find the option that reinforces or contradicts it.

Application Questions

• "If [new scenario], the author would most likely..."
• Strategy: Apply the author's stated views/principles to a new context.

Question Types 🎯

Key Takeaways — Part 5

• Main idea questions → match your overall passage summary
• Detail questions → go back and find it (don't trust memory)
• Inference → close to text, one logical step away
• Strengthen/weaken → identify the argument before evaluating options

CARS Strategy

Part 6 of 7 — Tone & Rhetoric

Identifying Author's Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject is CRUCIAL for CARS.

Rhetorical Devices on CARS

• Analogy: Comparing to make a point clearer
• Counterargument: Presenting opposing view to refute it
• Concession: Acknowledging opponent's point before arguing against
• Appeal to authority: Citing experts to support a claim
• Qualifying language: "Sometimes," "may," "tends to" (shows nuance)

Reading Tone Questions

"The author's attitude toward X is best described as..."

• Look for charged words and qualifying language in the passage

CARS Strategy

Part 7 of 7 — Long-Term CARS Improvement Plan

Building CARS Skills Over Time

CARS cannot be crammed. It requires consistent practice over months.

Recommended Practice Schedule

How to Review CARS Practice

For EVERY wrong answer, ask:

1. Why was the wrong answer tempting?
2. What type of wrong answer was it? (extreme, out of scope, opposite, etc.)
3. What did I miss in the passage?
4. What specific text supports the right answer?

Common CARS Mistakes

• Reading too quickly and missing nuance
• Choosing answers based on outside knowledge
• Not reading all four answer choices before selecting
• Spending too much time on one difficult question
• Confusing what the author says vs. what someone else says in the passage

CARS Strategy Review 🎯

CARS Strategy — Complete! ✅

CARS is a skill built over time. The keys: active reading, strong elimination, understanding author tone, and consistent practice with careful review. Every wrong answer is a learning opportunity.