The MCAT CARS Podcast - podcast cover

The MCAT CARS Podcast

Ryan Gray, MD with Jack Westinmcatcarspodcast.com
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.
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Episodes

121: Understanding Passage Structures and Interpreting Tone

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, 202123 minEp. 121

120: Exploring Hypnosis in Comparison to Psych Experiments

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, 202121 minEp. 120

119: How to Discern Facts, Assumptions, and Opinions in CARS

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, 202121 minEp. 119

118: Practicing Empathy With MCAT CARS Passages

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, 202123 minEp. 118

117: How to Critically Think When Reading Deep Passages

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, 202127 minEp. 117

116: Taking MCAT CARS to Outer Space and Beyond

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, 202118 minEp. 116

115: Experiments and Observations: Media Multitasking

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, 202118 minEp. 115

114: Social Media Polarization, Influencers, and Echo Chambers

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, 202125 minEp. 114

113: What's Up with App Users, Data Abuse, and Exploitation?

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, 202117 minEp. 113

112: How to Deal With an Author's Questions Within a Passage

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, 202117 minEp. 112

111: Voting Prediction: Finding Trends in an MCAT CARS Passage

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, 202118 minEp. 111

110: Is Charity Crowdfunding Just A Game of "Would You Rather?"

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, 202119 minEp. 110

109: Where to Find the Main Idea in an MCAT CARS Passage

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, 202116 minEp. 109

108: How to Find Clues in the Details of an MCAT CARS Passage

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, 202024 minEp. 108

107: How to Approach "Easy" MCAT CARS Passages

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, 202016 minEp. 107

105: How Does Individual Adaption Contribute to Evolution?

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, 202016 minEp. 105

104: Does Training Your Brain Help You in the Real World?

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, 202020 minEp. 104

103: A Philosophical Passage About Memes and CAPTCHAs

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, 202027 minEp. 103

102: Understanding an Article about Surveillance in Nature

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, 202019 minEp. 102

101: How to Handle Words You Don't Know in a CARS Passage

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, 202026 minEp. 101

100: The Importance of Contrast Words Like "However" in MCAT CARS

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, 202020 minEp. 100

99: A Passage about Ideologic Bias

Dr. Gray and Jack Westin unfold a passage about ideological corruption and contemporary science. Join us in dissecting this CARS passage.

Oct 21, 202027 minEp. 99

98: What To Do When You Get Lost in a CARS Passage?

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, 202027 minEp. 98

97: A Passage About Ellen DeGeneres and Being a Nice Person

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, 202031 minEp. 97

96: Picking Up Topics in the Passage You Do Not Know Much About

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, 202019 minEp. 96

95: Beginner Level CARS Passage to Understanding Tone

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, 202023 minEp. 95

94: Breaking Down an Article about Robots Taking Over

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, 202026 minEp. 94

93: A CARS Passage about Clueless. Hopefully you won't be.

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, 202023 minEp. 93

92: CARS Passage Breakdown: Glass vs. Porcelain

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, 202025 minEp. 92
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