The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section of the MCAT presents a unique challenge for many premed students. Unlike other sections that focus on science knowledge, CARS requires test-takers to demonstrate strong reading comprehension, critical thinking, and reasoning abilities. Understanding how to effectively approach this section can make a significant difference in your score. In this article, we will explore essential tips and strategies to help you improve your performance on the MCAT CARS section.
What is the MCAT CARS Section?
The MCAT CARS section evaluates your ability to read complex, passage-based material and draw logical conclusions from it. It consists of nine passages, each followed by 5-7 multiple-choice questions. While no specific subject knowledge is required for this section, the key to success lies in being able to comprehend and analyze unfamiliar texts efficiently. The CARS section tests your ability to think critically and interpret material from a variety of disciplines, such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Begin Preparing Early
Preparation for the MCAT CARS section is different from other MCAT sections in that it focuses on developing specific skills rather than accumulating knowledge. To excel in CARS, it’s essential to start your preparation early. At a minimum, dedicate six weeks to focused practice. During this time, you will need to refine your reading and analytical skills to approach the passages with a strategic mindset. Unlike content-heavy sections of the MCAT, CARS demands an understanding of reasoning processes that will only develop with consistent practice.
Develop Your Reading Skills
To succeed in the MCAT CARS section, you need to improve your reading speed and comprehension. The passages in CARS are designed to be intellectually stimulating yet challenging, requiring you to understand and analyze dense material quickly. One way to enhance your reading abilities is to incorporate daily reading into your study routine. Choose articles from reputable literary magazines, such as The New Yorker or The Atlantic, which feature complex content on a variety of topics. By reading materials that aren’t directly related to your interests, you’ll train yourself to focus better and increase your reading stamina. Aim to set aside at least one hour each day for reading practice.
Focus on Timing
The MCAT CARS section allows you 90 minutes to complete nine passages, which means you have about 10 minutes per passage. However, it’s important to balance your time between reading the passage and answering the questions. A recommended strategy is to spend 6 minutes reading each passage and the remaining 4 minutes answering the questions. Given that the average CARS passage is about 600 words, developing a reading speed of at least 100 words per minute is crucial. This pace might seem slow compared to your normal reading speed, but the complex nature of the passages and potential test anxiety can make it more difficult to read quickly. With regular practice, you will become more accustomed to this pace.
Improve Your Reading Speed
While you may already read faster than 100 words per minute, improving your reading speed will give you a significant advantage. A quicker reading pace allows you to complete each passage in the allotted time and also provides you with extra time to review your answers or revisit sections of the passage that require further analysis. Here are some tips for increasing your reading speed:
- Have your vision checked: Slow reading is often a result of uncorrected vision problems. Ensuring your eyes are healthy can improve your reading speed.
- Stop reading aloud in your head: Many people subvocalize (read aloud in their heads), which can drastically slow them down. Try to eliminate this habit to improve your pace.
- Expand your visual field: Instead of reading word by word, try to read multiple words at once. This can help increase your reading speed.
- Avoid regression: Avoid going back to reread words or sentences unless absolutely necessary. This habit can slow down your overall progress.
Practice with Purpose
Answering questions accurately is one of the biggest hurdles for many students when it comes to the CARS section. The key to improving your accuracy is consistent practice. To start, use a CARS question bank or MCAT prep book that provides a variety of passages and questions. Before reading a passage, skim through the questions to get an idea of what information is most important. This will help you focus your reading and increase your comprehension.
In the early stages of your preparation, focus on understanding the content and answering questions correctly rather than worrying about time. Once you have built a solid foundation, you can begin to work on completing passages within the time constraints. By the three-week mark before your exam, start practicing with timed passages to ensure you can answer questions quickly and accurately.
Set a Study Schedule
An organized study schedule will help you stay on track and ensure that you make the most of your preparation time. Here’s a suggested schedule that can guide your CARS preparation:
Week 1 (6 or more weeks before the exam)
- Dedicate 1 hour each day to reading from a literary magazine of your choice.
- Research CARS practice books and online resources to find a suitable question bank.
Week 2
- Continue reading for 1 hour daily.
- Complete one untimed practice passage and questions each day to focus on accuracy.
Week 3
- Maintain 1 hour of daily reading.
- Complete one timed practice passage and questions each day, focusing on managing your time.
Week 4
- Keep up with daily reading for 1 hour.
- Complete two timed practice passages and questions each day, allotting 10 minutes per passage.
- Take a full-length CARS mock test (9 passages) with a 90-minute time limit.
Week 5
- Continue reading for 1 hour daily.
- Complete two timed practice passages and questions each day.
- Take two full-length mock tests (9 passages) on separate days, with a 90-minute time limit.
Week 6
- Continue reading for 1 hour daily.
- Complete two timed practice passages and questions each day.
- Take three full-length mock tests (9 passages) in the final week, simulating the actual exam conditions.
Conclusion
The MCAT CARS section can seem intimidating, but with the right approach, you can achieve a strong score. By developing your reading comprehension, improving your reading speed, and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance in this critical section. A well-structured study schedule will help ensure you cover all aspects of the CARS section effectively. Remember, the more you practice, the better equipped you’ll be to tackle the test confidently and successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I manage my time during the CARS section?
Allocate 6 minutes for reading each passage and 4 minutes for answering questions. This will help you stay on track and finish within the 90-minute time limit.
2. What should I focus on when preparing for the CARS section?
Focus on improving your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Reading materials that are complex and outside your usual interests will help you prepare for the variety of topics on the exam.
3. How do I improve my reading speed?
Practice reading in chunks instead of word-by-word. Avoid subvocalizing, and eliminate habits like rereading sentences to speed up your pace.
4. How many practice passages should I complete each day?
Aim for 1-2 practice passages per day in the initial stages. As your exam approaches, increase the number of passages and begin working on time management.
By following these tips and committing to consistent practice, you’ll increase your chances of performing well on the CARS section and ultimately on the MCAT as a whole.