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/...
Mar 31, 2021•23 min•Ep. 121
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/...
Mar 24, 2021•21 min•Ep. 120
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...
Mar 17, 2021•21 min•Ep. 119
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...
Mar 10, 2021•23 min•Ep. 118
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...
Mar 03, 2021•27 min•Ep. 117
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/...
Feb 24, 2021•18 min•Ep. 116
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/...
Feb 17, 2021•18 min•Ep. 115
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/...
Feb 10, 2021•25 min•Ep. 114
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/...
Feb 03, 2021•17 min•Ep. 113
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/...
Jan 27, 2021•17 min•Ep. 112
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/...
Jan 20, 2021•18 min•Ep. 111
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/...
Jan 13, 2021•19 min•Ep. 110
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...
Jan 07, 2021•16 min•Ep. 109
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/...
Dec 30, 2020•24 min•Ep. 108
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...
Dec 23, 2020•16 min•Ep. 107
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.
Dec 16, 2020•17 min•Ep. 106
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...
Dec 09, 2020•16 min•Ep. 105
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 [email protected] Link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-brain-training-actually-work/...
Dec 02, 2020•20 min•Ep. 104
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/...
Nov 18, 2020•27 min•Ep. 103
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/...
Nov 11, 2020•19 min•Ep. 102
We read a passage about how language and culture are commonly conflated. And we discuss what to do when you're confronted with words you don't know! Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Link to the article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/were-french-people-born-to-speak-french...
Nov 04, 2020•26 min•Ep. 101
Today we read a passage about England that exemplifies the importance of contrast words like "yet," "but," and "however" in MCAT CARS passages. Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200724-colonial-countryside-facing-up-to-britains-murky-past...
Oct 28, 2020•20 min•Ep. 100
Dr. Gray and Jack Westin unfold a passage about ideological corruption and contemporary science. Join us in dissecting this CARS passage.
Oct 21, 2020•27 min•Ep. 99
As we dive further into CARS prep, this passage is a doozy. We get down and dirty with a philosophical passage and how to breakdown a confusing passage. Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://reallifemag.com/issue-positivity/...
Oct 14, 2020•27 min•Ep. 98
In the CARS Practice Passage, Dr. Gray and Jack Westin unfold this passage about Ellen Degeneres and always having to be a "nice person." Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/ellen-degeneress-relatability-crisis...
Oct 07, 2020•31 min•Ep. 97
What do you do when you get to a passage that you have no clue what it is talking about? We dive into how to break it down and defeat the passage. Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/08/accidental-creation-hybrid-fish/614974/...
Sep 23, 2020•19 min•Ep. 96
Are you just beginning CARS prep? We take a look at a fundamental passage to understanding tone in CARS passages. The deed is done and what that means. https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/cancelling-flannery-oconnor Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/cancelling-flannery-oconnor...
Sep 16, 2020•23 min•Ep. 95
In this CARS practice passage, Jack and I take a look at a great article about the robots taking over the world. Come learn how to better our MCAT CARS score! Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://reallifemag.com/automatic-for-the-bosses/...
Sep 09, 2020•26 min•Ep. 94
The movie Clueless is a classic. In our passage today, we learn about the makeover storyline and how Clueless was also a makeover movie. Read and follow along! Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Jack Westin’s CASPER strategy course Link to the article: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200716-how-clueless-transformed-the-movie-makeover...
Sep 02, 2020•23 min•Ep. 93
Come explore another article to understand the author's views as they write about why glass is so popular. Try pre-reading and then listening to us discuss. Links: Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200714-why-glamorous-glassware-is-booming...
Aug 26, 2020•25 min•Ep. 92