CARS — The Section You Can't Cram
CARS tests reading comprehension and analytical reasoning using humanities and social science passages. There is NO science content.
CARS question types:
Foundations of Comprehension — main idea, author's purpose, meaning in context
Reasoning Within the Text — inference, support, evidence evaluation
Reasoning Beyond the Text — strengthen/weaken arguments, apply to new situations
Strategy for each passage:
1. Read actively — identify main argument, tone, and structure
2. Note each paragraph's purpose in one sentence
3. Identify the author's position and reasoning
4. Don't look for facts — look for logic
Answering questions:
Eliminate extreme answers ("always," "never," "only")
Correct answer will be defensible from the passage
Don't bring in outside knowledge
"Author would agree" = find support in text, not your opinion
How to improve CARS: Read challenging nonfiction daily — The Atlantic, NY Review of Books, scientific papers. It takes months, not days.
Reference:
TaskLoco™ — The Sticky Note GOAT
