The MCAT CARS Podcast

The MCAT CARS Podcast

The CARS section of the MCAT gives thousands of premeds nightmares every night. Whether you're an ESL student, lack confidence while reading, or are a slow reader like me, Jack Westin and the Medical School Headquarters are here to help you score higher in every section so that you can be confident you are ready to get the MCAT score of your dreams.

Episodes

March 31, 2021 22 mins

Tone provides a deeper sense of one's attitude. Understanding tones and structures in a CARS passage will help you get a better sense of the passage and author.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/more-than-a-feeling/ 

Mark as Played

If you want more free practice for MCAT CARS, visit jackwestin.com. Today, Jack and I focus on learning as we read this passage about hypnosis. Listen now!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hypnosis-experts-cast-doubt-on-famous-psychological-experiments/

Mark as Played

Today, we talked about the difference between facts and opinions/assumptions that sounds factual. Understanding the differences can help you score high in CARS.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/28/first-winged-reptiles-were-clumsy-flyers-research-suggests

Mark as Played

In this episode, Jack and I discuss how to find article passages that are similar to MCAT CARS passages.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

aldaily.com

Link to the article:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2020/oct/28

Mark as Played

MCAT passages are all about giving a message. You don't have to understand everything, but you can't make just assume or predict things that aren't there.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/roots-reality 

Mark as Played

The recent landing of the Mars Perseverance rover reminds us that our universe is vast, as are opinions on the MCAT. What are my thoughts? Listen to find out!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/10/rogue-planets-milky-way/616897/

Mark as Played

Experiment-based passages are found all over the MCAT. Today, we focused on following the details of the passage, and keeping track of the different ideas.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/media-multitasking-disrupts-memory-even-in-young-adults/

Mark as Played

We all think of the world in specific ways. However, success in CARS requires you to keep an open mind. Leave your biases at the door and question everything.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-social-media-makes-us-more-polarized-and-how-to-fix-it/ 

Mark as Played

This week, we look at the consequences of using apps that exploit user data. We discuss how to determine the author's tone from keywords throughout the passage.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/subscriber-city/

Mark as Played

Today, we discuss how to approach questions within MCAT CARS passages. Don't insert your own answers! Let the author convince you with evidence and examples.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/10/gas-stoves-are-bad-you-and-environment/616700/

Mark as Played

Today we look at trends in the author's voice and context specifics. Join us as we dive into this passage on elections and voting outcome predictions.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/what-the-chart-wants/

Mark as Played

Does charity crowdfunding create similar choices to "Would You Rather?" That's what Jack and I discuss in today's thought-provoking MCAT CARS practice passage.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/mercy-markets/ 

Mark as Played

Finding the author's main point in an MCAT CARS passage takes practice. Today, we'll give you a few tips for how to sift through the details to find it. Join us!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://harpers.org/archive/2020/10/reason-not-the-need-self-storage 

Mark as Played

Today, we examine an MCAT CARS practice passage about Google Earth and discuss the importance of reading a passage and paying attention to the details.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/springtime-everywhere/ 

Mark as Played

What should you pay attention to when you come across straight-forward passage on the MCAT? Jack gives us tips for how to tackle deceptively-easy passages

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2046694228515/pleasant-dreams

Mark as Played

Our passage today is about a topic that might be considered controversial—QAnon. Will you see these types of passages on the MCAT? Listen and find out.

Mark as Played

Today we talk about assumptions and the connections we make as we tackle this MCAT CARS passage about adaptability and evolution. Join us!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://theconversation.com/chimpanzees-in-volatile-habitats-evolved-to-behave-more-flexibly-it-could-help-them-weather-climate-change-143125 

Mark as Played

Today's passage is all about brain training. Maybe it will help you with your MCAT CARS prep! Don't forget to read the text first and then come back and listen.

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Email jack@jackwestin.com

Link to the article:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-training-actually-work/

Mark as Played

What do memes and CAPTCHAs have in common? That's the question we hope to answer in today's MCAT CARS passage. Follow along!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/camera-traps/ 

Mark as Played

We practice our critical reading skills with an article about surveillance in nature and rural areas. Listen as we break down the author's perspective!

Links:

Full Episode Blog Post

Meded Media

Jack Westin

Link to the article:

https://reallifemag.com/camera-traps/ 

Mark as Played

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