The MCAT CARS Podcast

By Ryan Gray, MD with Jack Westin

What's The MCAT CARS Podcast about?

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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The MCAT CARS Podcast episodes:

03.31.2021
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/
03.24.2021
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/
03.17.2021
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
03.10.2021
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
03.03.2021
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
02.24.2021
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:...
02.17.2021
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/
02.10.2021
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:...
02.03.2021
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/
01.27.2021
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/
01.20.2021
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/
01.13.2021
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/
01.07.2021
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...
12.30.2020
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/
12.23.2020
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 passagesLinks:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2046694228515/pleasant-dreams
12.16.2020
106: Does the AAMC Ask Polarizing Questions on the MCAT?
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.
12.09.2020
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
12.02.2020
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...
11.18.2020
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/
11.11.2020
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/
11.04.2020
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
10.28.2020
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
10.21.2020
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.
10.14.2020
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/
10.07.2020
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
09.23.2020
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...
09.16.2020
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-oconnorLinks:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article:...
09.09.2020
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...
09.02.2020
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...
08.26.2020
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
08.19.2020
91: MCAT CARS Investigates Violence in Movies
In this MCAT CARS practice passage, we look at how the author views violence as a form of entertainment. Join us and see if you can pick up on the author's view!Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link...
08.12.2020
90: MCAT CARS Asks: Who's Really Leading the Conversation?
UX writers play a critical role in driving how we interact with technology. In today's MCAT CARS practice passage, we look at what they do and why it matters.Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin
08.05.2020
89: MCAT CARS Asks: Accurate Portrayal or Cinematic Betrayal?
What should you do when you encounter a conversational MCAT CARS passage? What about topics with which you are unfamiliar? Follow along and find out!Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Jack Westin's daily passage section
07.29.2020
88: MCAT CARS: What Constitutes Identity?
How should you handle MCAT CARS passages with which you don't agree? Jack and I break it down for you as we look at the role of technology in creating identity.Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to...
07.22.2020
87: MCAT CARS Asks: A Beautiful Synchrony or Lovely Loners?
Science and society are captivated by the inexplicable synchrony of the natural world, but are we missing the evolutionary significance of the outliers?Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://www.quantamagazine.org/out-of-sync-loners-may-secretly-protect-orderly-swarms-20200521/
07.15.2020
86: MCAT CARS Asks: Fintechs: Friends or Foes?
Are financial technology startups leveraging technology to ameliorate the economic crisis, or are their motives more duplicitous? Follow along and decide!Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin
07.08.2020
85: MCAT CARS Asks: What's Driving U-Haul's Tobacco Policy?
Is U-Haul really trying to create a health-conscientious culture, or do they ulterior motives? Follow along in today's MCAT CARS passage and find out!Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin
06.17.2020
84: MCAT CARS: Taking Control of the Natural World
Today we talk about finding common themes in sporadic passages as we look at this MCAT CARS passage that leaps from COVID-19 to zoos and beyond. Follow along!
06.10.2020
83: MCAT CARS: Penetrating Radios and Podcast Passivity
The advent of podcasts offered listeners the opportunity to have thoughts without having to think. But is that a good thing? Let's discuss!Links:Full Episode Blog Post Meded Media Jack Westin Link to the article: https://reallifemag.com/podcast-passivity/
06.03.2020
82: MCAT CARS: Celestial Bodies and Mundane Afflictions
In this MCAT CARS passage about planets, pandemics, and unpredictability, we investigate the subtle nuances that bring long, mundane passages to life.
05.27.2020
81: MCAT CARS Asks: Can Computers Learn Common Sense?
Some of the smartest machines on earth can't tell you what would happen if you dropped a match on a stack of logs—so, are they really that smart? Let's discuss!
05.20.2020
80: MCAT CARS: An Affectionate Nostalgia for Vines of Old
In this MCAT CARS passage, we investigate what it is about our nostalgia for Vines from the past that endures in a world driven by novelty and innovation.
05.13.2020
79: MCAT CARS: Chalking to Raise Awareness of Urban Flora
How should you approach MCAT CARS passages about random topics? We analyze a passage about rebel botanists to show you how to uncover the point of the passage.
04.29.2020
78: The New MCAT Format: What Does It Mean for Premeds Now?
The AAMC just dropped a BOMB on the premed world — a shorter MCAT. What does this mean for you? How should you go about studying? And more! Don't miss it!
04.22.2020
77: MCAT CARS Asks: Does Power Illuminate Your Character?
Easy CARS passages are often accompanied by tough questions. We'll show you how to interpret the author's message and what types of questions you might expect.
04.15.2020
76: MCAT CARS: Finding Folklore In Scary Stories
Are scary stories little more than folktales and urban legends told in the dark? How has folklore contributed to the rise in their popularity? Let's dive in!
04.08.2020
75: MCAT CARS Asks: Can Statistics Be Used to Predict Behavior?
Using our CARS skills, Jack Westin and I tackle this TOUGH practice passage and learn about how social physics can be used to predict human behavior. Join us!
04.01.2020
74: MCAT CARS Asks: Are Human and Animal Emotions Similar?
What kinds of emotions do animals feel? Are they similar to human emotions? How should we address personal biases when answering CARS questions? Let's discuss!
03.25.2020
73: MCAT CARS Investigates the Cultural History of First Words
Using our CARS skills, we'll look at the cultural significance and history of first words. What types of questions might students see from this passage?
03.18.2020
72: MCAT CARS Asks: Is Nutrition Science Broken?
When so much of what we are told about diet, health, and weight loss is inconsistent and contradictory, can we believe any of it? Follow along and find out.

What's The MCAT CARS Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The MCAT CARS Podcast episodes:

121: Understanding Passage Structures and Interpreting Tone

120: Exploring Hypnosis in Comparison to Psych Experiments

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

118: Practicing Empathy With MCAT CARS Passages

117: How to Critically Think When Reading Deep Passages

116: Taking MCAT CARS to Outer Space and Beyond

115: Experiments and Observations: Media Multitasking

114: Social Media Polarization, Influencers, and Echo Chambers

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

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

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

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

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

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

107: How to Approach "Easy" MCAT CARS Passages

106: Does the AAMC Ask Polarizing Questions on the MCAT?

105: How Does Individual Adaption Contribute to Evolution?

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

103: A Philosophical Passage About Memes and CAPTCHAs

102: Understanding an Article about Surveillance in Nature

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

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

99: A Passage about Ideologic Bias

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

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

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

95: Beginner Level CARS Passage to Understanding Tone

94: Breaking Down an Article about Robots Taking Over

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

92: CARS Passage Breakdown: Glass vs. Porcelain

91: MCAT CARS Investigates Violence in Movies

90: MCAT CARS Asks: Who's Really Leading the Conversation?

89: MCAT CARS Asks: Accurate Portrayal or Cinematic Betrayal?

88: MCAT CARS: What Constitutes Identity?

87: MCAT CARS Asks: A Beautiful Synchrony or Lovely Loners?

86: MCAT CARS Asks: Fintechs: Friends or Foes?

85: MCAT CARS Asks: What's Driving U-Haul's Tobacco Policy?

84: MCAT CARS: Taking Control of the Natural World

83: MCAT CARS: Penetrating Radios and Podcast Passivity

82: MCAT CARS: Celestial Bodies and Mundane Afflictions

81: MCAT CARS Asks: Can Computers Learn Common Sense?

80: MCAT CARS: An Affectionate Nostalgia for Vines of Old

79: MCAT CARS: Chalking to Raise Awareness of Urban Flora

78: The New MCAT Format: What Does It Mean for Premeds Now?

77: MCAT CARS Asks: Does Power Illuminate Your Character?

76: MCAT CARS: Finding Folklore In Scary Stories

75: MCAT CARS Asks: Can Statistics Be Used to Predict Behavior?

74: MCAT CARS Asks: Are Human and Animal Emotions Similar?

73: MCAT CARS Investigates the Cultural History of First Words

72: MCAT CARS Asks: Is Nutrition Science Broken?