Understanding the Unique Challenge

For many students in Puerto Rico, the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section of the MCAT and DAT presents a unique and often daunting challenge. Unlike the natural science sections, which test specific content knowledge, CARS evaluates your ability to comprehend, analyze, and reason through complex passages from a wide range of humanities and social science topics. This can be especially difficult for students who are accustomed to a more quantitative-heavy curriculum and who may not have had extensive exposure to the nuanced, abstract language often found in these passages. However, with the right strategy and a focused approach, you can transform this section from a hurdle into a high-scoring asset.

The MTP CARS Approach: A Framework for Success

At MTP, our framework for mastering CARS is not about finding “tricks” or “shortcuts.” It’s about building a systematic, repeatable process for every passage and question. Our approach is built on three core pillars:

1. Active Engagement: You must move beyond passive reading and actively engage with the passage as you go. Your goal is to understand the author’s argument, their tone, and the structure of their writing.
2. Question-First Mentality: After a preliminary understanding of the passage, we teach a methodical approach to analyzing the question stem to identify exactly what is being asked before you even look at the answer choices.
3. Logical Elimination: We focus on teaching you how to use the passage as your primary source of evidence to logically eliminate incorrect answer choices, rather than trying to find the “best” answer among a set of flawed options.

Active Reading Techniques: Engaging with the Text

The key to a high CARS score is not speed; it’s a deep, efficient understanding of the passage. Here are a few techniques to practice:

• Highlight with a Purpose: Don’t highlight everything. Instead, highlight the author’s main point, key arguments, and any opposing viewpoints. Use highlighting to mark where the author’s tone shifts or where a new topic is introduced.
• Paragraph Summarization: After reading each paragraph, take a moment to mentally summarize its purpose. Ask yourself: “What is this paragraph trying to do?” Is it introducing an idea? Providing evidence? Countering an argument? This forces you to process the information in real time.
• The “Why” Question: For every sentence or paragraph, ask yourself, “Why is the author saying this?” This simple question helps you get at the core of the author’s argument and understand the logical flow of the passage.

Question Analysis Mastery: Decoding the CARS Question

CARS questions are often designed to be tricky, but they follow predictable patterns. Mastering question analysis is about learning to recognize these patterns.

• Identify the Question Type: Is it a main idea question? A detail question? A reasoning beyond the text question? Knowing the question type tells you where to look in the passage for the answer and what kind of reasoning is required.
• Break Down the Stem: Don’t skim the question. Deconstruct it. Identify keywords and phrases that point you back to a specific part of the passage. Look for words like “according to the passage,” “the author implies,” or “which of the following would most weaken the author’s argument.”
• Analyze Answer Choices: Before you try to find the “right” answer, use the passage to prove why three of the answers are wrong. The correct answer will be the one that is directly supported by the text or a logical inference from it.

Timing Strategies: Managing the 90-Minute Section

The CARS section is 90 minutes for 53 questions across 9 passages. This gives you about 10 minutes per passage.

• The 5-5 Rule: Spend no more than 5 minutes on a passage and no more than 5 minutes on the questions for that passage. This is a general guideline to keep you on track.
• Don’t Get Stuck: If you find yourself stuck on a question for more than a minute, make an educated guess, mark the question, and move on. You can always come back to it if you have time.
• Build Endurance: The only way to get comfortable with the time pressure is through practice. Take as many timed, full-length practice sections as you can.

Practice Methodology: Effective Ways to Improve

Practicing CARS is a science. You must do more than just read passages and check your answers.

1. Timed Practice: Take a full CARS section at least once per week. This builds your stamina and helps you get a feel for the time pressure.
2. Detailed Review: This is the most important step. After you take a practice section, go through every single question, whether you got it right or wrong. For incorrect answers, ask yourself: Why did I choose that answer? Why is the correct answer right? Where in the passage is the evidence?
3. Build an Error Log: Create a spreadsheet to track your mistakes. Categorize them by question type, reasoning error, or careless mistake. This will help you identify your persistent weaknesses and turn them into targeted study sessions.

MTP Resources for CARS: Your Partner in Preparation

You don’t have to navigate the complexities of CARS alone. MTP’s resources are specifically designed to help students from backgrounds like those in Puerto Rico who may not have had extensive exposure to this type of test.

• 1-on-1 Tutoring: Our expert mentors will work with you to analyze your performance and build a personalized strategy for CARS. They can help you break down difficult passages, refine your logical reasoning, and provide the encouragement you need to stay motivated.
• Targeted Practice Materials: We provide a wide range of CARS-specific passages and questions, allowing you to focus your practice on the areas where you need the most improvement.
• Feedback and Analysis: Our internal evaluation tools provide a detailed breakdown of your performance, helping you to quickly pinpoint your weaknesses.