Phil Hawkins and Azaii Calderon Muniz from Jack Westin discuss anecdotes, advice, and ramblings on the premed years, the MCAT, and life both inside and outside of medicine. Have new episodes delivered to you by subscribing.
Economic CARS passages feel intimidating or dry? In this MCAT CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Jack and Molly walk through our “Microloans” daily passage sentence by sentence and show you how to actually enjoy an econ passage while still reading with precision.In this episode you will learn how to:- Separate the subject from the argument so you stop missing main idea questions- Track big ideas like capitalism in crisis and community trust without getting lost in the details- Use context clues to handle unfamiliar econ terms like “collateral” and “loan sharking”- Visualize abstract ideas so economic passages feel concrete and human- Apply the same strategy to any dense MCAT CARS passage, not just this oneWhat we cover using the “Microloans” passage:- How microcredit works and why the author thinks it matters- Why the passage spends so much time on capitalism and conventional banks- How microloans create an economy based on community trust- How to spot repeated ideas that signal the true main idea
Is the MCAT actually getting harder… or just noisier?
Economic CARS passages feel dry or confusing? In this clip from our CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Jack and Molly break down the “Economic Models” daily passage and show you how to:- Use tone words like “financial gloom” to catch the author's attitude
Most students treat full length exams like a score check and move on. High scorers do the opposite. In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly share how they both sat for the new AAMC Exam 6, what they noticed, and why your review, not your raw score, is what actually moves your MCAT score long term.They walk through the mindset and step-by-step process for turning every exam into a roadmap for improvement instead of just a painful seven and a half hour report card.In this episode, you will learn:- Why full length exams are not a report card but a roadmap for what to do next- The biggest misconceptions about reviewing exams and practice questions- How to tell the difference between content gaps and strategy problems- Why “I just need more content” is often holding you back- How to use your passages and figures as your primary clues instead of your memory- What to do if you are stuck at the same score for weeks or months- How to handle timing, fatigue, and stress more intentionally- How to know if you are actually ready to take another full length- The four main “buckets” your mistakes tend to fall into and how to respond to each- Why specific, targeted review beats trying to fix everything at onceMike and Molly also tease next week's episode, where they will share data they are crunching on AAMC Exam 6 to answer the big question: Has the MCAT really changed, or does it just feel that way?If you have ever finished a full length, glanced at your score, and thought “Now what?”, this episode is your playbook.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Philosophy passages in CARS can feel overwhelming, but they don't have to be. In this workshop clip, Jack and Molly walk through the Jack Westin Daily Passage titled “Moral Relativism” and break it down sentence by sentence so you can see exactly how to approach complex arguments without getting lost.You'll learn:• How to identify the author's main point even when the passage feels abstract• Why moral relativism vs moral nihilism matters for understanding the argument• How comparisons like motion relativism, football relativism, and legal relativism help you decode the passage• What to prioritize when reading dense, conceptual CARS passages• How to connect ideas across paragraphs so the whole passage finally clicksIf moral philosophy usually makes your head spin, this breakdown will show you how to stay calm, read with purpose, and pull out only what matters.Read the passage first: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/moral-relativismWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly break down one of the highest-yield (and most commonly missed) topics in the entire Psych/Soc section:→ Experimental vs. Observational research→ When you can (and CANNOT) conclude causality→ Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal→ Cohort vs. case-control vs. case studies→ Prospective vs. retrospective→ Validity vs. reliability (internal vs. external + the dartboard analogy)→ Real AAMC examples (including the cocaine exposure passage)→ Classic studies: Phineas Gage, H.M., Milgram, Little Albert, Asch, Bobo doll, and moreIf you've ever picked the “causes” answer choice on an observational study and gotten wrecked, this episode is for you. Skill 3 (reasoning about research design & execution) shows up in EVERY section, but Psych/Soc is where it can make or break your score.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Music passages are some of the most intimidating ones on the MCAT CARS section but they don't have to be.In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Molly and Jack break down the November 12th Daily CARS Passage, “Bach's Fugue,” sentence by sentence. You'll learn how to handle abstract, dense topics (like art and music) even when you know nothing about them.What you'll learn in this episode:
Data interpretation might just be the most feared skill on the MCAT, but it doesn't have to be!In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly break down how to confidently approach data-heavy passages in Chem/Phys, Bio/Biochem, and Psych/Soc. From confusing graphs to multi-figure experiments, you'll learn exactly what to look for, what to skip, and how to save time without missing key details.What you'll learn in this episode:✅ The biggest mistakes students make when interpreting MCAT data✅ Why skipping figures is a trap (and how to avoid it)✅ How to read complex charts fast without panicking✅ The “Goldilocks Zone” of data reading, not too shallow, not too deep✅ What to do when you get stuck on a confusing figureIf you've ever stared at a research graph thinking, “What am I even looking at?”, this episode will fix that.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast for a CARS Reading Skills Workshop where we dissect the Nov 5 Daily CARS passage, “Student Learning,” line by line. You'll hear how Jack and the team approach each sentence, track shifts in author attitude, and distill paragraph main ideas—so you're primed to crush the questions that follow.What you'll learnHow to read CARS passages sentence by sentence without over-annotatingSpotting contrast words and knowing what the author cares about mostTracking names & viewpoints efficiently (who said what—and why it matters)Distinguishing preference vs. effectiveness claimsIdentifying repeating main ideas (e.g., social expectations) and building a hierarchy of importanceApplying the read to the 7 associated questions to check comprehensionTry the passage & questionsFind the Daily CARS passage for Nov 5 here: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/student-learningWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Level up your MCAT Psych/Soc with the part 2 of masterclass on learning & conditioning, the way AAMC now tests it. Mike & Molly cover the exact strategies to read passages like CARS, not a terms quiz.What you'll learnClassical conditioning: US/UR, CS/CR, generalization, discrimination, extinction & spontaneous recoveryOperant conditioning: reinforcement vs punishment, positive vs negative (with real-life examples)Reinforcement schedules: fixed/variable × ratio/interval (why VR resists extinction)Observational learning: Bobo doll, mirror neurons, media effectsNon-associative learning: habituation, sensitization, dishabituation, desensitizationIf this helped, subscribe and catch next week's Data Interpretation Deep Dive.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Psych/Soc has officially changed… and most students are still studying it the old way.
Sharpen your CARS instincts with a full walkthrough of an AAMC-style “History & Literature” passage. We'll map the argument, separate author vs. viewpoint voices, and dismantle common trap answers so you can move faster without sacrificing accuracy.What you'll learn:Passage mapping for humanities texts (thesis, tone, shifts)Timing & pacing: when to skim vs. slow downQuestion strategy by type (main idea, author attitude, inference, function)Wrong-answer patterns (extreme, outside scope, flip choices)Read the passage first: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/history-and-literatureWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this episode we connect genetics + central dogma to the next big step: how cells copy DNA and what happens when it goes wrong.What you'll learn (MCAT-high yield):Semi-conservative replication: why each daughter DNA has one old + one new strandOrigins of replication & replication bubblesKey enzymes: helicase, SSB proteins, topoisomerase, DNA pol III & I, primase, ligaseLeading vs. lagging strands and Okazaki fragmentsProofreading & repair: exonuclease activity, mismatch repair, nucleotide excision repair (UV/thymine dimers)Mutation types: silent, nonsense, frameshift (+ why location matters)Where this shows up in cell cycle, cancer biology, and classic experimental set-ups (knockouts)Perfect for MCAT Bio/Biochem passages that love replication, mutations, and repair pathways.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
DNA doesn't “do", it instructs. In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly walk through the central dogma, how we go from DNA → RNA → protein—and the regulation that makes different cells, well, different. Perfect for MCAT Bio/Biochem: we hit transcription, RNA processing, translation mechanics (A–P–E sites), start/stop codons, eukaryote vs. prokaryote differences, and multi-layered gene expression regulation (chromatin, transcription factors, miRNA/siRNA, ubiquitin, & more).
Join Molly and Jack for a CARS Reading Skills Workshop as they unpack Susan Sontag's “Reflective Art”. Learn how to spot main ideas, separate concrete from “wishy-washy” lines, and use author tone and repetition to navigate dense prose. We also dive into why Sontag highlights emotional distance, postponed gratification, and filmmaker Robert Bresson and how these themes show up in CARS questions.What you'll learn:How to find the main idea when the writing is abstract“Concrete vs. wishy-washy” sentence filter (what to cling to vs. skim)Why detachment changes emotional responses in reflective artHow labels like “cold” vs “hot” art can be trapsPractical CARS habits: stay engaged without importing your own opinionsTry the passage & 5 questions:
Science-heavy CARS passages got you zoning out? In this Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack unpack the “Urban Species” passage, showing how to track scientific tone, spot the author's stance, and separate data from argument without overreading.You'll learn how to: ✅ Identify when examples (like species adaptation or ecology studies) support vs. distract from the claim✅ Stay focused when scientific details feel overwhelming✅ Build a clear main idea from subtle cues and contrast words
Most MCAT students waste time memorizing Punnett squares and ratios without really understanding probability. That's why genetics feels overwhelming.In this episode, Molly and Mike break down Mendelian genetics for the MCAT: the truth about dominant vs. recessive, how to use Punnett squares correctly, the probability errors that cost students points, and how to master classic ratios (3:1, 9:3:3:1) without rote memorization. You'll also learn how linked genes and independent assortment show up on test day.
Sports fan? Careful, your background knowledge can hurt you in CARS. In this Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack walk through the Oct 1 Jack Westin Daily (“Soccer Fans”) and show how to read a familiar topic without injecting assumptions. You'll learn to spot the author's claim, track competing themes (losing yourself vs. rationality/good citizenship), and use clear sentences as anchors, fast.What you'll learnDon't fill in the blanks: How to stop your outside knowledge from hijacking the passage.Anchor on clarity: If a point is important, there's usually a clear sentence you can cling to.Author stance vs. trivia: Track how the author uses Critchley (support) and pushes back on Orwell.Two coexisting themes:Fandom can make us lose ourselves / escalate aggressionFandom can foster fairness, rational analysis, and identityWhen language gets flowery: Keep reading to the next testable, explicit claimReferenced ideas & examplesSimon Critchley on phenomenology & soccer experience“Lose yourself” vs. “best selves” (fair play, rationality)Liverpool as a case study (extremes, yet desire for fairness)Orwell's “war minus the shooting” — why the author says he missed the pointTry the passage:Read the Oct 1 “Soccer Fans” then do the questions to stress-test your reasoning: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/soccer-fansWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
The BioBiochem section has the hardest passages on the MCAT, packed with experiments, pathways, and overwhelming detail. But with the right strategies, you can decode them and gain confidence.In this episode, Molly and Mike break down why BioBiochem is so difficult, the 4 main passage personalities, and strategies to stay engaged, use scratch paper, and avoid common mistakes. You'll also learn the most high-yield topics, like amino acids, enzymes, metabolism, and cell signaling, that show up again and again on test day.
Art-history CARS passage got you spiraling? In this Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack break down the Sept 24 Jack Westin Daily, “Late Turner,” and show you how to read dense, abstract prose without panicking.What you'll learn:- Anchor on clear sentences: If it's important, there's a clear line you can cling to.- Track the author's stance: The passage sets up “Turner = abstract” and then challenges it.- Main idea: Turner's late work isn't free-form abstraction; it's formal reinterpretation of classical myths.- Follow the structure: Evidence → counterpoint → author's claim → examples.- Use examples as support, not trivia: Apollo & Daphne, Regulus, Mercury, Bacchus & Ariadne all illustrate reinterpretation.- Stay focused in dense writing: When sentences get murky, keep reading for the next clear, testable claim.Before you watch:Read the Sept 24 “Late Turner” daily passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/late-turnerWant more guided practice?Join our free weekly sessions (CARS, science strategy, 516 planning, admissions) and tap into our free CARS QBank, practice exams, and CARS textbook: https://jackwestin.com/sessionsWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Terrified of Organic Chemistry on the MCAT? Most students bring their undergrad trauma into MCAT prep, memorizing endless mechanisms and drowning in arrow pushing. That's the wrong approach.In this episode, Molly and Mike reframe OChem for the MCAT: small footprint, high-yield focus, and strategy over memorization. You'll learn why OChem is only 10–12 questions, how to master stereochemistry, functional groups, and core reactions, and how to avoid overstudying. We'll also cover spectroscopy, chromatography, and the most common mistakes students make.⏱️ Timestamps02:09 – How Much OChem Really Appears (10–12 Questions)05:20 – OChem Isn't All Mechanisms (Reality Check)08:36 – High-Yield Topic #1: Stereochemistry13:30 – High-Yield Topic #2: Nucleophiles & Electrophiles18:23 – Why You Shouldn't Memorize Mechanisms19:35 – High-Yield Topic #3: Functional Groups23:30 – High-Yield Topic #4: SN1 vs. SN225:40 – High-Yield Topic #5: Redox in Organic Chemistry30:40 – Why Functional Groups vs. Reaction Memorization33:19 – High-Yield Topic #6: Spectroscopy & Chromatography41:05 – How OChem Shows Up in Passages50:30 – Key OChem Study Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid55:10 – Connections Across Subjects (Bio + Biochem)57:43 – Final Takeaways: OChem is Only Scary if You Over-Memorize
Philosophy passage got you spiraling? In this CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack unpack the “Wittgenstein and Mathematics” daily passage (Sept 17) and show you exactly how to read dense, abstract prose without panicking.- How to anchor yourself on clear sentences (and ignore the “interesting nonsense” that isn't testable)- The core claim: mathematics = a kind of logic built on rules — and why that repeats (so it's the main idea)- Early vs. later Wittgenstein: from one monolithic language → many language games (each with its own rules)- How to track shifts between language, logic, and math without getting lost- When to slow down, when to move on, and how to extract the main idea fastPro tips covered:-Use contrast/qualifiers (“in fact,” “later,” “still”) to spot high-yield sentences-Treat ultra-dense lines as support, not the thesisBefore you watch:Read the Sept 17 daily passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/wittgenstein-and-mathematicsWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Struggling with Chemistry & Physics on the MCAT? You're not alone. Most students panic at ChemPhys passages, skip data figures, and waste time on equations. This episode breaks it all down: passage personalities, the TAUT method, and how to avoid the most common mistakesthat cost you points.Molly and Mike walk you through physics setups, titrations, spectroscopy, biochem-heavy passages, and even why OChem doesn't need to be scary. You'll also learn how to prioritize what to study, when to trust the passage over your memory, and why “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” for ChemPhys.
Struggling with MCAT Physics? Forces, energy, and power intimidate students but they don't have to. In this episode, Mike and Molly break down Newton's laws, friction, springs, conservation of energy, and power in a way that actually makes sense. From elevators to ramps to rolling balls, you'll see why these topics are the foundation of physics and how mastering them can unlock half of the physics questions on your MCAT.
Struggle to tell what really matters in CARS passages that feel “straightforward but wordy”? In this Reading Skills Workshop, Jack and Molly walk through the “Polygamy” Jack Westin Daily (Sept 10) sentence by sentence to show you how to extract the thesis fast and avoid over-reading.- Identify the core claim: Traditional polygamy is morally objectionable because it embeds inequality.- Contrast with monogamy: why monogamy can be reformed to equality (power can be redistributed).- Track the two big inequality threads in polygamy:1. Commitment imbalance (central vs. peripheral spouses)2. Control over the wider family (who gets a say across subfamilies)-Use contrast cues (“in contrast,” “unlike”) to flag high-yield sentences.-How to read confidently when ideas repeat without tuning out crucial examples.Before you watch:Read the Sept 10 “Polygamy”: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/polygamy00:01:57 — Paragraph 1: No key arguments - Polygamy controversial 00:06:57 — Paragraph 2: Monogomy can be reformed, Polygamy can't be equal!00:10:50 — Paragraph 3: Marriage should be equal, Monogomy can redistribute power0:15:53 — Paragraph 4: Repetition: Polygamy can't be equal!00:20:10 — Paragraph 5: Using Context: Central vs Peripheral Spouses are unequal00:25:14 — Paragraph 6: Repetition: Polygamy can't be equal! Subfamilies00:32:11 — Main idea: Polygamy is immoral because its unequal!Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Challenged by artsy CARS passages that feel more like scene-setting than argument? In this CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack dissect the “Billy the Kid” daily passage (Sept 3) and show you, step by step, how to stay focused, spot the author's hidden claims, and avoid getting lost in musical/dance details.You'll learn how to:- Separate vivid context (music, choreography, imagery) from the author's argument- Use contrast words (“yet,” “but,” “however”) to find the most important sentences- Track themes and shifts (hopeful frontier → exploitation & development)- Identify parallel vs. divergent ideas without memorizing technical jargon- Read paragraph-by-paragraph to build a clear main idea fast
Struggling with MCAT math without a calculator? In this episode, Mike and Molly break down the most common math mistakes students make on the MCAT and share their decade of expertise to help save you time and improve your accuracy for test day.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Struggling with CARS passages that feel more like vivid stories than arguments? In this episode, we'll show you how to stay engaged, avoid getting lost in the details, and uncover the author's arguments in story-based CARS Passages. Learn how to separate narrative from argument, and spot what's important despite being hidden in descriptive writing. These skills will help you raise your CARS score and stay interested, even when reading the toughest passages!
Struggling with MCAT questions? In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly break down the most overlooked skill in test prep: building a consistent, intentional MCAT question strategy.
CARS passages that involve history can be tricky. Between the dates, names, and places, it's easy to get caught up in the details and lose track of what the author is actually saying. In this passage breakdown, Jack and Molly walk through an AAMC-style passage on the British monarchy and demonstrate how to separate facts from the author's arguments. Cut through the noise, and zero in on the authors main idea with confidence.Friendly Reminder - try to complete this passage on your own first to maximize your learning!The “British Monarchy” passage (posted Aug 20): https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/british-monarchyWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this video, we break down how memory works—from forming new memories to strategies that help you study smarter. We'll cover the information processing model, working vs. short-term memory, and encoding strategies. Not only do we review how memory is tested on the MCAT, but we also show you how to apply these concepts directly to your prep so you can get the most out of your studying. Boost retention on Psych/Soc and across the exam!
Dense, philosophical CARS passages don't have to tank your score. In this reading skills workshop, Jack and Molly walk through an AAMC-style passage on patriotism showing how to map the author's argument, and avoid common CARS pitfalls.Friendly Reminder - try to complete this passage on your own first to maximize your learning!The “Patriotism” passage (posted Aug 13) on our site: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/patriotismWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Stop brute-forcing science passages. In this 520+ strategy guide, we show you how top scorers read slower, map smarter, and mine “testable info” then fly through questions. You'll learn the TAUT framework for figures (Title, Axes, Units, Trends), what not to do (over-highlighting, skipping figures), and a repeatable plan you can use on every Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys, and Psych/Soc passage.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Can you keep your outside knowledge from hijacking a CARS passage, especially when the topic screams “medicine”?Join Molly and Jack as they dissect an AAMC-style CARS passage on "Chronic Illness" and show you how to spot the author's real agenda—single-parent burden—while sidestepping your own medical instincts.Read the passage here: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/chronic-illnessWhat you'll practiceLeaving your biases at the door when a passage hits close to homePinpointing the true main idea vs. the “too-broad” trapMapping paragraphs in real time so detail questions become freebiesHandling long, jargon-stuffed sentences without panicUsing “we” and other author clues to detect viewpoint & agreementTimestamps0:00 Intro & why this passage matters1:55 First-sentence trap: broad thesis or setup?8:05 Money, marriage & single parents—following the thread14:30 How the meeting paragraph hides the key finding22:00 Child illness ↔ parent function loop—what it really means28:40 Siblings surface: spotting narrow supporting arguments37:15 Main-idea wrap-up & how to crush “quote” questions42:30 Your turn: grab the free passage + questionsWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Get ready to make sense of all those arrows on your metabolism chart!
Jack and Molly walks you through a full CARS Reading Skills Workshop using an AAMC-style passage on Teenager Health. By the end of the session you'll know how to:Preview & Predict the passage's purpose in 60 secondsMap the Argument so you never lose the author's main ideaSpot Traps in inference and function questionsPace Yourself to hit the 10 min / passage targetApply Active Reading techniques that raise scores fastRead the passage first: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/teenager-healthWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this CARS Reading Skills Workshop, we dive deep into the July 23rd Daily Passage titled "Internet Instruction"—a thought-provoking look at how online education transformed college learning and the challenges it still faces.
In Episode 27, we wrap up our Metabolism series by diving into one of the most testable—and often misunderstood—topics on the MCAT: The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Oxidative Phosphorylation.We cover everything you need to know for MCAT success:
Think political‑science passages are “easy newspaper reads”?
Ready to move beyond glycolysis? In Episode 26 of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly guide you through the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC) and the Citric Acid (TCA) Cycle—two of the highest‑yield pathways the MCAT loves to test.What we cover- Where it all happens – cytoplasm vs. mitochondrial matrix- PDC outputs & regulation – 2 Acetyl‑CoA, 2 NADH, 2 CO₂ and the key activators/inhibitors that flip the complex on or off- Real‑world connections – how arsenic poisoning and Wernicke‑Korsakoff syndrome derail PDC function- TCA Cycle essentials – step‑by‑step walk‑through, enzyme mnemonics (“Can I Keep Selling Shells…”) and the must‑know Big 3 regulators- High‑yield nuggets – why Succinate Dehydrogenase pulls double duty as ETC Complex II, Ca²⁺ activation during muscle contraction, plus glucogenic vs. ketogenic amino acid entry pointsBy the end, you'll know the exact products (NADH, FADH₂, GTP, CO₂), how to spot test‑maker tricks, and which regulatory enzymes to memorize for test day.
Stressed about squeezing Bio, Chem, Orgo + Physics into four years?
In this Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Jack and Molly tackle a lyrical passage pulled from Lewis's fantasy classic and show you how to keep your critical-reasoning compass steady when the prose turns mythical. Watch them read in real time, map each paragraph's purpose, and convert rich imagery into clear MCAT takeaways.In this session you'll learn how to- Separate story from stance – spot the author's underlying argument beneath allegory and nostalgia.- Decode symbolism quickly – translate lions, wardrobes, and eternal winters into testable main ideas.- Control pacing – keep long descriptive sentences from eating up precious minutes.- Anticipate question traps – apply “tone vs. fact” and “extreme language” filters before answer choices appear.Get the most out of itRead first: Grab the free daily passage “Lewis's Narnia” on https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/lewiss-narniaWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Thinking about medical school but worried you'll crack under nonstop feedback, grueling hours, and the pressure to put patients ahead of everything else? In Episode 2 of the Jack Westin Pre-Med Podcast, hosts Mike and Molly dive into three gut-check questions every future doctor must answer before hitting “submit” on their AMCAS:0️⃣ Can you take constructive criticism without shutting down?• Why med-school feedback feels like “drinking from a fire hose” – and how to turn it into growth fuel.• Sports-coach mindset shifts that make feedback your superpower.1️⃣ Are you truly ready to put others first?• The real costs of a medical career – missed family events, 3 a.m. pages, laundry piling up.• Balancing empathy for patients with the bare-minimum self-care that keeps you functional.2️⃣ Can you trust yourself and the process?• Concrete ways to explore medicine (shadowing, scribing, informational interviews) so your decision isn't a guess.• The one mindset reframing that helps you stay steady when advice from mentors contradicts.You'll walk away with a clearer, more honest picture of the road ahead—and a checklist to decide whether medicine fits your life, values, and mental stamina.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this week's Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly pull glycolysis out of the rote-memorization zone and rebuild it as a story you can see, explain—and defend—on test day. Starting with the big-picture difference between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, they zoom into the 10 classic steps, spotlight why hexokinase and especially PFK-1 are the pathway's “no-turning-back” moments, and finish with the hormonal signals that flip glycolysis on or off in real life. Along the way they debunk lactic-acid myths, link fasting physiology to MCAT passages, and hand you regulation mnemonics that actually stick.Key takeaways at a glance- Net yield, location & oxygen: Cytoplasmic pathway that nets 2 ATP, 2 NADH, 2 pyruvate—no O₂ required.- Energy investment vs. payoff: Why you spend 2 ATP up front and gain 4 later (+2 net).- Regulation checkpoints: Steps 1, 3 & 10 are irreversible; PFK-1 is the commitment step; ATP inhibits, ADP/AMP activate.- Hormonal control: Insulin (via PFK-2) ramps glycolysis up; glucagon turns it down—crucial in fed vs. fasting states.- Clinical & exam links: Cori cycle, muscle soreness myth, and how enzymes like hexokinase signal MCAT question writers.Next episode: PDH complex, electron-transport chain, and oxidative phosphorylation—subscribe so you're ready for the hand-off from glycolysis to ATP powerhouse.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this episode we slow-walk a brand-new Psych/Soc passage—“Aging Brain” showing you, sentence-by-sentence, how top scorers:- Decode unfamiliar social-science jargon without getting stuck- Spot author attitude and trap wording that hide inside “friendly” topics- Build quick mental maps that link each paragraph back to the central thesis- Translate real-world quotes (yes, even a Henry Ford cameo) into testable MCAT questions- Turn every practice passage into timed, active-reading reps you can repeat on exam day
In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly turn the intimidating world of enzyme kinetics into a step-by-step masterclass you can use on your very next practice exam.What you'll learn- The real meaning of a Michaelis-Menten hyperbolic curve—and why enzyme concentration must stay fixed- How to picture Vmax, kcat, Km, and catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) without memorizing charts- Rapid hacks for reading a Lineweaver-Burk plot (1/Vmax on the Y-intercept, –1/Km on the X)- Competitive vs. uncompetitive vs. mixed vs. non-competitive inhibition—how each one shifts Vmax, Km and the double-reciprocal graph- Mike & Molly's test-day mnemonics (
Thinking about becoming a doctor—but not sure medicine is really your calling? In this two-part conversation, Mike and Molly get brutally honest about the realities of the journey and share a practical framework to help you decide.What we cover:- “Why Medicine?” Discovery Tips – exercises to uncover your true motivations before you apply.- The Real Price Tag – tuition, lost income, lifestyle costs, and how long it actually takes to break even.- Alternatives to an MD/DO – rewarding health-care careers (and salaries) that most pre-meds overlook.- Shadowing & Exploration – smart ways to test-drive medicine now and gather stories for your personal statement.Gut-Check Questions!* Do I still love learning when classes get brutal?* Can I handle constant evaluation and criticism?* Am I willing to put patients' needs ahead of my own comfort?Trusting Yourself – red-flags that say “keep exploring” and green-lights that say “submit the application.”Whether you're early in college or finishing a post-bacc, these reflections will save you time, money, and second-guessing down the road.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Struggling to keep all the rate-law rules and enzyme facts straight? In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly break down exactly what the AAMC expects you to know—no fluff, just high-yield kinetics you'll see on Test Day.What we cover in Part 1* Big-picture difference between K (equilibrium) vs k (rate)* The Arrhenius equation & how Ea and T really control reaction speed* How to recognize zeroth, first & second-order rate laws in passages* Why the rate-determining step rules every multi-step mechanism* How enzymes lower activation energy, plus active site basics* Essential vocab: apoenzyme → holoenzyme, cofactors vs coenzymes* The Induced-Fit Model (forget “lock-and-key” oversimplifications)* Fast recall with the LIL HOT enzyme-classification mnemonicBy the end you'll be able to:✅ Write and manipulate rate laws with confidence✅ Predict how temp or catalysts shift reaction speed✅ Decode enzyme names on the fly and spot catalytic tricks the MCAT lovesNext up in Part 2: Michaelis–Menten kinetics, Km/Vmax shortcuts, and inhibitor patterns—so make sure you're subscribed and turn on notifications!Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this episode, Molly and Jack dive into a refreshingly relatable CARS passage—this time, it's all about architecture and the city of Las Vegas.
Confused about Gibbs Free Energy, reduction potentials, or how batteries actually work?
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