AAMC MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a CARS 'strengthen' question ask you to find?
- New information that makes the author's argument more convincing (Correct answer)
- The strongest counterargument presented in the passage
- Evidence already in the passage that supports the conclusion
- The author's personal bias embedded in the argument
Correct answer: New information that makes the author's argument more convincing
Strengthen questions ask which answer, if true, would provide additional support for the author's central claim or reasoning.
Question 2: How do you identify the author's position in a CARS passage presenting multiple perspectives?
- Look for evaluative language, hedging, and the conclusion the argument builds toward (Correct answer)
- Assume the author agrees with the first viewpoint presented
- Identify the position presented most recently as the author's view
- Focus only on the final sentence of the passage
Correct answer: Look for evaluative language, hedging, and the conclusion the argument builds toward
Authors signal their position through word choice, space devoted to each view, and the logical arc the passage builds toward a conclusion.
Question 3: What does a CARS 'weaken' question ask you to identify?
- Information that undermines a key assumption or premise of the argument (Correct answer)
- The author's strongest supporting point
- An alternative conclusion the passage could equally support
- A logical fallacy named within the passage
Correct answer: Information that undermines a key assumption or premise of the argument
Weaken questions ask for evidence that challenges a crucial assumption, reduces the probability of the conclusion, or introduces a confounding factor.
Question 4: What should a correct 'central thesis' answer for a CARS passage include?
- The author's overarching claim and the overall purpose of the argument (Correct answer)
- A summary of every paragraph's topic sentence
- The most controversial statement in the passage
- The first and last sentences of the passage combined
Correct answer: The author's overarching claim and the overall purpose of the argument
A central thesis answer captures the overarching argument the author makes and why, not a detail or a list of topics covered.
Question 5: What is 'passage mapping' as a CARS reading strategy?
- Briefly noting the main idea and function of each paragraph while reading (Correct answer)
- Drawing diagrams of all characters or concepts mentioned
- Underlining every unfamiliar word for later review
- Writing a full outline before answering any questions
Correct answer: Briefly noting the main idea and function of each paragraph while reading
Passage mapping involves brief notes on each paragraph's function and key claim, creating a roadmap for faster navigation during question answering.
Question 6: When two CARS answer choices seem equally valid, what should you do?
- Return to the passage and determine which has stronger direct textual support (Correct answer)
- Choose the answer with more specific or technical details
- Select the longer or more nuanced answer choice
- Choose the answer aligning with your background knowledge
Correct answer: Return to the passage and determine which has stronger direct textual support
When choices appear equal, the passage is the tiebreaker — whichever choice has more direct textual support is correct.
AAMC MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 2
What does a CARS 'strengthen' question ask you to find?