Most pre-med students, myself included at the time, dread the MCAT CARS section. It can easily become the most challenging part of the exam because it doesn’t require memorizing a bunch of facts. Instead, it’s like the wildcard of the MCAT. Even if you think you’re super prepared, you can still be thrown for a loop.
Medical schools really emphasize this section because it tests your critical thinking and ability to analyze complex texts. They have a point because you’ll need these two skills in your future career as a doctor.
So, as you prep for this section, forget about cramming information—it won’t help a single bit. Scoring well depends on consistently mastering an MCAT CARS strategy and then sticking with it on test day.
Read on to discover helpful tips to boost the score in your MCAT CARS section, tackle this challenge head-on with confidence, and achieve your dream MCAT score.
This post is all about MCAT CARS section.
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Ultimate Strategy For MCAT CARS Section
What is CARS on the MCAT?
The MCAT is divided into four primary sections, each testing a different academic area, see below. So what does CARS stand for?
The MCAT CARS section, also known as Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, is a beast that tests your ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate complex passages. It’s like those SAT passages but cranked way up!
The catch is that you need to rely on pure critical thinking and reasoning without the comfort of specific scientific knowledge. So, having efficient reading and analysis skills is a benefit.
Here is an overview of all the sections of the MCAT:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/BioChem)
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc)
How many CARS passages are on the MCAT, and how long is the CARS section?
There are nine CARS passages. You’ll be given 90 minutes to tackle a total of 53 questions. That means you have roughly 1.42 minutes per question, which is a bit longer than the about 1 minute 35 seconds per question you have for the science sections. Still, you’ll need to keep a steady pace to perform well.
What is the average CARS score on the MCAT?
The average score for this section is around 125.8. While what constitutes a good score can vary from one medical school to another, to really stand out and hit the 90th percentile, you’ll want to shoot for a score of 128 or higher.
Interesting fact – the average score for this section is a little lower than those for the other MCAT sections. This again shows that you might not be the only one struggling with this section, it is a tough one!
What makes CARS harder than other sections of the MCAT?
Many premed students find this section challenging (I know, I did!) because it requires strong critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. But don’t worry. With the right strategies and a consistent practice schedule, you can totally crush this section.
Creating an MCAT CARS Strategy
The CARS section has questions designed to test your ability to grasp, analyze, and apply information from passages. Your mission is to quickly extract the main ideas and arguments from these complex texts, so you’ll need a reading strategy that helps you accomplish this!
Now, when it comes to choosing an MCAT CARS strategy you’ll find tons of approaches out there. Some students swear by reading the questions first. Others say you should skim the first and last paragraphs. And then, there’s always that one person who insists on some out-there method and claims success.
But here’s my two cents – I wouldn’t recommend hopping around with your CARS strategy or attempting risky maneuvers like acing seven sections only to wildly guess on the last two. Instead, stay focused and follow these proven tips on how to study for CARS effectively and boost your score!
8 Tips on How to Improve Your CARS Score for the MCAT
CARS breaks down into three sections, each requiring a different approach and strategy. So, as you take practice tests, keep these areas on your radar to boost your score.
- Foundations of Comprehension (30%) – Try to grasp the underlying message beyond what’s explicitly stated. Pay attention to the author’s choice of words, tone, and those sneaky rhetorical devices they like to toss in.
- Reasoning Within the Text (30%) – Here, you’ll need to put on your detective hat and objectively evaluate the author’s arguments. Leave your personal opinions at the door and focus on finding evidence in the text that either supports or weakens the main idea. Also, ask, is the author’s conclusion is logical or are there some biases and assumptions creeping in?
- Reasoning Beyond the Text (40%) – With these types of questions, you take the passage to a whole new level by applying its ideas to different scenarios. How would the information presented play out in other contexts? Consider how new details could shake up the author’s original point and think critically about how these extra puzzle pieces might tweak the arguments.
If you are wondering which materials would be best to use (from question banks to review material), check out my video below! This also includes some specific resources for CARS that helped me a lot when I was studying for the MCAT.
Here are 8 specific tips on how to best prepare for the MCAT CARS section beyond practice exams:
- Make Active Reading Your New Friend
When we read passively, we’re kinda just zoned out and skimming the surface, not really absorbing anything meaningful. However, that kind of reading won’t cut it for the CARS section. So, start practicing active reading now – take your time, read slowly, and really get into the text.
If something doesn’t click, read it again until it does. Don’t breeze past confusing parts; make sure you understand them completely. Think about what the author isn’t saying directly but implying underneath.
- Learn How to Tackle Complicated Texts Like a Boss
Try picking up heavier reads, such as literary journals, dense magazines, or classic literature. These options can really stretch your brain, causing you to slow down and really think about what the author is saying, just like you’ll need to do in the CARS section. So, make a habit of reading these types of texts whenever you can, so you can strengthen this skill.
- Create a Daily Reading Habit
The more you read, the better you’ll get at it. Since guess what? Improved reading comprehension directly translates to a smoother ride through the CARS section.
Here’s the deal: reading is like a brain workout that boosts your vocabulary, understanding of people, memory, and, yes, your performance in the CARS section. So, start by finding something you enjoy reading—fiction, fantasy, or biographies—and make it a regular habit.
- Be Able to Teach the Passage to Someone
Imagine teaching the passage to a child or someone new to the topic—simplifying it helps you grasp the core message easily. Break down the passage to its essence, focusing on key details that are crucial for understanding. If no one’s around, try explaining it as you would to a child for a quick, clear summary.
- Work on Your Summarizing Skills
Condense each paragraph into a single-sentence summary. Jot down quick, five-word summaries for every paragraph as you read. This practice hones your ability to grasp the main point of each paragraph and sharpens your reading comprehension by making you focus on the purpose of each section.
- Get Good at Highlighting the Must-Knows
To speed up comprehension, highlight vital information like keywords, dates, and names. Be selective; highlighting everything is as good as highlighting nothing. Target significant data and central ideas, so you’ll save time if you have to go back and re-read a section.
- Figure Out How to Manage Your Time
Pace yourself to ensure you can cover all the questions within the allotted time. Don’t get stuck on hard questions – mark them and come back later if needed.
Remember, every question is worth the same, so don’t waste time dwelling on just one. And whatever you do, don’t leave questions blank – take your best guess if needed. (I go more into my MCAT CARS strategy for nailing the time element below.)
- Practice, Practice, Practice!
Make reading and answering CARS questions a daily habit. The more you expose yourself to diverse passages, the better you’ll become at tackling them. Additionally, work on improving your reading speed without sacrificing comprehension.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content to study for the MCAT and have no clue on how to get started? Let alone keeping up with your study schedule? As a 516 scorer who went through the MCAT study process *twice* (since my previous score tragically expired), I’d love to share all the tips and tricks to help you.
In my course MCAT Roadmap you get step-by-step guidance on how to set up a strategic study schedule that fits YOUR circumstances. My integrated Study Schedule Tool makes that 10x easier for you while helping you to see meaningful progress along the way. Ready to wake up every morning knowing exactly what to tackle that day? This is for you!
How to Review the MCAT CARS Section
When I was prepping and taking MCAT practice tests, I nerded out on keeping track of my progress. Here are the two main things I did to monitor my progress.
- Daily Notes
Every day, I made it a habit to jot down how many questions I missed, how much time I spent on each passage, and how I could improve my CARS score on the MCAT by focusing on specific areas of weakness. This simple practice helped me pinpoint my weaknesses and areas for growth.
- My Own “Master List”
I created a handy “master list” that outlined my strategies for answering questions and highlighted common mistakes to avoid. For example, I noticed that I often picked answers based on information from the passage but not from the specific relevant paragraph. So, I trained myself to identify where a topic was discussed before selecting an answer.
For example, after skimming the paragraph (let’s say, paragraph 5), I checked the answer choices. If an option seemed correct but was from a different paragraph (like paragraph 4), I knew it was a no-go. This tactic helped me narrow down my choices and boosted my chances of getting the right answer.
As I reflected on the questions I missed, I realized some of the following common pitfalls.
- Selecting an answer that was too extreme
- Choosing a technically true answer that didn’t actually address the question
- Dismissing an answer just because it sounded odd (yes, this happens!)
- Falling for answers that were either too broad or too specific
I know it may sound like a lot to keep track of, but arranging my thoughts in this way helped me fine-tune my approach. Everyone’s process is different, so make sure to customize your own tracking system to identify your patterns.
My Free MCAT Review Template can help you to stay super organized when reviewing your own full-length practice exams. Just enter your details and I will send you an email with the link:
CARS Section Timing Strategy
When I was preparing for the MCAT, nailing down my timing strategy for the CARS section was a top priority. The last thing I wanted was to guess on a bunch of questions towards the end of the exam. Trying to tackle all those difficult passages within the given time frame is no joke—at least, that’s how I felt about it.
During my content review phase, I didn’t bother timing myself. Instead, I focused on truly understanding each passage and every question. I would spend a good 40 minutes to an hour just on a single passage. It may seem excessive, but it helped me get a strong grasp of the material.
After a month or two of this approach, I decided it was time to tackle timing. I started by challenging myself to complete a passage in under 20 minutes, then 15, and eventually 10 minutes. Once I felt comfortable with that, I shifted to mimicking the timing I planned to use during the actual test.
For instance, I broke it down like this:
5 questions = 8.5 minutes
6 questions = 10 minutes
7 questions = 11.5 minutes
On the other hand, some people prefer to simplify things by allocating 10 minutes per passage. I personally didn’t opt for this method since I wanted that extra time for the passages with seven questions. Finding your own timing rhythm takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t click right away.
My initial practice exams were tough—I often found myself guessing on the last few questions. But with persistence, by the four- to five-month mark, I had honed my timing strategy. I was able to finish each passage right on time, and during the real exam, my timing went exactly as planned and I was able to hit that 128 score on my CARS section.
It was a gradual journey, but by focusing on my timing strategy early on, it eventually became second nature. So keep at it, even when it feels like it will never come together.
Summing Up: Tackling the MCAT CARS Section (For the Win!)
We’ve covered a lot of ground on how to tackle the CARS section of the MCAT. I know this section can be such a source of stress and anxiety. But by following my tips and strategies, you gain an edge and boost your score.
Remember to read actively, practice regularly, and approach each passage strategically. Take practice tests and keep track of what you can do to improve on each question. And definitely, practice timing yourself so you can get better at completing each passage within the allotted time.
With determination, practice, and a positive attitude, you can absolutely ace this section and boost your overall MCAT score. So, trust in your preparation. And then, go out there and show that CARS section who’s boss.
