How to Improve CARS Score on the MCAT [2025 Guide]

Are you struggling with the CARS section of the MCAT? You’re not alone. Many students find the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills portion to be the most challenging part of the exam. 

Unlike science sections that test specific knowledge, CARS evaluates how well you comprehend and analyze complex texts—skills that aren’t easily improved overnight.

This guide provides practical strategies to boost your CARS performance and approach this difficult section with confidence.

1. Develop a Strong Reading Habit

Building strong reading comprehension starts with regular exposure to challenging material. To prepare for CARS passages, make these reading materials part of your daily routine:

• Opinion pieces from The New York Times, The Economist, or The Atlantic
• Philosophical essays that present complex arguments
• Academic journals with dense content and specialized vocabulary
• Literary criticism that analyzes themes and authorial intent

Dedicate 30-45 minutes daily to reading these materials. Don’t just read passively—practice analyzing the author’s purpose, identifying main arguments, and considering counterpoints.

The key is consistency. Reading challenging content regularly trains your brain to process complex information more efficiently, directly improving your CARS performance.

2. Understand Passage Structures

CARS passages follow predictable patterns that you can learn to recognize. Understanding these structures helps you navigate even the most difficult texts.

Common CARS passage structures include:

• Problem-solution: Author presents an issue and discusses possible resolutions
• Compare-contrast: Examination of different viewpoints or theories
• Chronological: Historical development of ideas or concepts
• Cause-effect: Analysis of consequences or impacts

When practicing, map out the structure of each passage after reading. Ask yourself:

• What is the main thesis or argument?
• How does the author support their position?
• Are there opposing viewpoints presented?
• What conclusion does the author reach?

This structural approach provides a framework for understanding even the most challenging passages.

3. Practice Active Reading

Passive reading won’t help you succeed on CARS. Instead, engage with the text through these active reading strategies:

1. Mentally summarize each paragraph in one sentence
2. Identify the purpose of each paragraph in relation to the main argument
3. Note tone shifts that indicate changing perspectives
4. Question the author’s assumptions and evidence
5. Predict what might come next in the passage

When practicing, verbalize or write down these elements for each paragraph. This engages different learning modalities and strengthens your comprehension.

Active reading feels slower at first but ultimately saves time by improving your understanding and reducing the need to re-read passages during the exam.

If you want to improve how you retain and analyze complex material, check out our guide on How to Improve Active Recall for Medical Students.

4. Use Strategic Passage Mapping

Mapping a passage doesn’t mean taking extensive notes but rather identifying key points as you go. A simple approach includes:

• Highlighting keywords: Names, dates, contrasting ideas
• Marking shifts in tone or argument: Transition words like “however” or “on the other hand” often signal these shifts.
• Noting the main argument: This helps in answering questions quickly without re-reading the entire passage.

Develop a consistent system of symbols or abbreviations to make this process efficient. For example:

• Circle author’s main claims
• Underline supporting evidence
• Star counterarguments
• Write “T+” for positive tone, “T-” for negative tone

With practice, you’ll develop a personalized mapping system that works for your thinking style.

5. Master the Question Types

CARS questions follow specific patterns. Learning to recognize these patterns helps you approach each question with the right strategy.

Here’s a breakdown of common CARS question types and how to tackle them:

• Main Idea Questions: Look for the option that encompasses the entire passage, not just one section. Eliminate answers that are too narrow or too broad.
• Detail Questions: These test your recall of specific information. Return to the passage to verify—don’t rely on memory alone.
• Inference Questions: Look for options that logically extend from the passage without introducing new ideas. Be wary of extreme answers.
• Application Questions: Apply the author’s reasoning to a new scenario. Ask: “How would the author approach this new situation?”
• Tone/Attitude Questions: Assess the author’s emotional stance. Look for charged language and consider the overall approach to the subject.

Practice identifying question types during your study sessions. This awareness will help you adapt your approach for each question.

6. Time Management Techniques

The CARS section gives you about 10 minutes per passage with 5-7 questions. Effective time management is crucial for success.

Try these proven timing strategies:

• The 4-6-8 Method: Spend 4 minutes reading the passage, 6 minutes answering questions, and save 8 minutes as buffer time across all passages.
• Passage Prioritization: Quickly assess passage difficulty. Start with medium-difficulty passages, then tackle easy ones, saving the most challenging for last.
• Question First Approach: For some students, skimming questions before reading the passage helps focus their reading on relevant information.
• Timed Practice Sets: Regularly complete timed mini-sets of 2-3 passages to build stamina without the fatigue of full-length sections.

Track your timing during practice to identify where you’re losing time. Are you spending too long on difficult questions? Reading passages too slowly? Data helps you adjust your approach.

If you struggle with time management across multiple sections of the MCAT, consider implementing the Pomodoro Technique to build focus and efficiency.

7. Review Mistakes Thoroughly

Effective review separates successful test-takers from those who plateau. Don’t just mark answers right or wrong—analyze why you made mistakes.

Create an error log with these categories:

• Question Type: Identify patterns in the types of questions you miss
• Reason for Error: Reading comprehension, misinterpreting the question, ruled out correct answer, etc.
• Correction Strategy: Specific approach to avoid similar mistakes

Review your error log weekly to identify patterns. This targeted approach is far more effective than simply doing more practice questions without analysis.

8. Consider Professional MCAT Coaching

If you’ve tried self-study strategies without seeing improvement, professional MCAT coaching might be worth the investment. A good CARS tutor can:

• Provide personalized feedback on your reading and answering approach
• Identify subtle patterns in your errors that you might miss
• Teach strategies tailored to your specific learning style
• Create customized practice sets targeting your weaknesses
• Hold you accountable to a structured study plan

Look for tutors with proven CARS expertise and a track record of student improvement. Many offer free consultations to assess if their teaching style matches your needs.

Coaching isn’t necessary for everyone, but it can provide valuable insights if you’re consistently scoring below your target despite dedicated practice.

Final Thoughts

Improving your CARS score requires a strategic approach and consistent practice. Focus on developing strong foundational skills rather than searching for shortcuts or tricks.

Remember that progress on CARS is often incremental. Track your performance over time to see the trajectory of your improvement, not just individual practice scores.

With dedicated practice using the strategies outlined in this guide, you can transform the CARS section from a weakness into a strength on your MCAT.

For more MCAT study strategies, check out our latest guides to help you prepare effectively for the 2025 exam!