This browser is too old to run Achievable.

Update it, or open this page in a current version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge. On an iPhone or iPad, update iOS: every browser there runs on the version of Safari that comes with it.

Achievable logoAchievable logo
MCAT
Sign in
Sign up
Purchase
Textbook
Practice exams
Support
How it works
Resources
Exam catalog
Mountain with a flag at the peak
Textbook
Introduction
1. CARS
1.1 CARS section guide
1.2 CARS overview
1.3 Reading strategies
1.4 Preview-and-skip strategy
1.5 Practice passage 1
1.6 Practice passage 2
1.7 Practice passage 3
1.8 Practice passage 4
1.9 Practice passage 5
1.10 Practice passage 6
1.11 Practice passage 7
1.12 Practice passage 8
1.13 Practice passage 9
2. Psych/soc
3. Bio/biochem
4. Chem/phys
Wrapping up
Achievable logoAchievable logo
1.1 CARS section guide
Achievable MCAT
1. CARS

CARS section guide

1 min read
Font
Discuss
Share
Feedback

What this prep section covers

  • Specific abilities tested in CARS
  • What the passages and questions look like
  • Strategies to use for each passage
  • Sample passages and questions to apply chosen strategies

What does the CARS section look like?

  • 9 reading passages with questions
  • 5–7 questions per set (passage)
  • No stand-alone questions

This means the section tests critical reading and reasoning, not outside content knowledge.

Students who score well in CARS

  • Utilize reading strategies
  • Develop strong reasoning skills through careful practice
  • Embrace the “best answer” concept (sometimes the best option doesn’t feel perfect — it’s simply the one most supported by the passage)

What happens at the end of this section?

After you learn the key CARS strategies, you’ll move into a series of practice sets. Each set includes one passage with multiple questions.

These sets are designed to be manageable and flexible. You can do one passage at a time or complete several in a row — choose what fits your study flow best.

CARS section structure

  • 9 passages, each with 5-7 questions
  • All questions linked to passages (no stand-alone questions)
  • Focus on critical reading and reasoning, not prior content knowledge

Keys to high CARS performance

  • Use effective reading strategies
  • Build strong reasoning skills through practice
  • Apply “best answer” approach:
    • Choose the answer most supported by the passage, even if not perfect

Practice sets

  • Each set: one passage with multiple questions
  • Flexible practice options:
    • Complete one or several sets per session
    • Adapt to personal study pace
Previous
Next  | 1.2 CARS overview
All rights reserved ©2016 - 2026 Achievable, Inc.

CARS section guide

What this prep section covers

  • Specific abilities tested in CARS
  • What the passages and questions look like
  • Strategies to use for each passage
  • Sample passages and questions to apply chosen strategies

What does the CARS section look like?

  • 9 reading passages with questions
  • 5–7 questions per set (passage)
  • No stand-alone questions

This means the section tests critical reading and reasoning, not outside content knowledge.

Students who score well in CARS

  • Utilize reading strategies
  • Develop strong reasoning skills through careful practice
  • Embrace the “best answer” concept (sometimes the best option doesn’t feel perfect — it’s simply the one most supported by the passage)

What happens at the end of this section?

After you learn the key CARS strategies, you’ll move into a series of practice sets. Each set includes one passage with multiple questions.

These sets are designed to be manageable and flexible. You can do one passage at a time or complete several in a row — choose what fits your study flow best.

Key points

CARS section structure

  • 9 passages, each with 5-7 questions
  • All questions linked to passages (no stand-alone questions)
  • Focus on critical reading and reasoning, not prior content knowledge

Keys to high CARS performance

  • Use effective reading strategies
  • Build strong reasoning skills through practice
  • Apply “best answer” approach:
    • Choose the answer most supported by the passage, even if not perfect

Practice sets

  • Each set: one passage with multiple questions
  • Flexible practice options:
    • Complete one or several sets per session
    • Adapt to personal study pace

More from CARS

  • CARS overview
  • Reading strategies
  • Preview-and-skip strategy
  • Practice passage 1
  • Practice passage 2