Podcasts about aamc

Art passages making your MCAT CARS practice feel extra confusing? In this Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack break down a Rembrandt passage sentence by sentence and show you how to separate tone from main idea without getting lost in the details.Using this Daily CARS Passage, they walk through:How to spot tone words vs argument/content wordsWhy “always,” “never,” and other extreme phrases matter so much on CARSHow religion, nature, and spirituality are used to build the author's main ideaWhen to ignore overly dense sentences and focus on clear, direct claimsHow to track support (like pupil conversations and biblical references) without memorizing detailsBy the end, you'll see how to read CARS passages like arguments, not puzzles, and how to turn vague “CARS anxiety” into specific, fixable skills.Read the passage first: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/rembrandtWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!

Struggling with meiosis, gametogenesis, and all the weird details the MCAT loves to test?

Do certain majors actually have higher acceptance rates—or is that just a premed myth? In this episode, we break down medical school acceptances by major according to AAMC data. If you're choosing a major (or worried you picked the "wrong" one), this episode will help you build a smarter strategy—and a stronger application.   Like the podcast? Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with our team: https://bemo.ac/podbr-BeMoFreeConsult   Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more great tips and other useful information!   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeMoAcademicConsultingInc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bemoacademicconsulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bemo_academic_consulting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeMo_AC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bemoacademicconsulting

Struggling with dense MCAT CARS passages full of history, old quotes, and abstract ideas? In this CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack walk through the Jack Westin daily passage “Western Colonization” sentence by sentence and show you how to stay calm, focused, and accurate even when the passage feels impossible.Using this tough passage, they show you how to:- Tell the subject apart from the author's argument- Track big ideas like glory, colonization, and commerce without getting lost- Notice when the author does not actually agree with what they just said- Deal with confusing Old English quotes and still pull out what matters- Avoid dangerous assumptions that wreck CARS questions- Find the true main idea, not just the first sentence of each paragraph- Stay confident when a passage feels boring, dense, or way above your comfort zoneWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!

In this episode, Mike and Molly turn one of the most complex MCAT topics, muscle contraction, into a story you'll actually remember. You'll follow a single movement from brain to bicep: motor neuron → neuromuscular junction → calcium surge → actin–myosin “love story” → sarcomere changes.We break down skeletal vs cardiac vs smooth muscle, why calcium is the real puppet master, and how ATP can both start and end contraction (and what that has to do with rigor mortis

In this episode of Admissions Straight Talk, host Dr. Valerie Wherley sits down with Accepted Admissions Consultant Alicia Nimonkar, an expert writing coach with a background in composition and rhetoric, to unpack one of the most important – and often most intimidating – parts of the medical school application: the personal statement. Alicia explains how applicants can use the AAMC's premed competencies as a framework to craft authentic, focused narratives that highlight their strengths. From creating a timeline of formative experiences to developing an outline that connects recurring themes, she shares how to identify what makes your story uniquely yours – and how to make it resonate with admissions committees.Alicia also offers practical insight into the writing process itself: how many drafts it really takes, when to stop editing, and how to avoid the “too many cooks in the kitchen” trap of excessive feedback. She and Dr. Wherley discuss the power of resilience, effort, and voice – exploring how applicants can address challenges without sounding apologetic and how to write from a place of strength and advocacy. Whether you're starting your first draft or polishing your final version, this episode will help you approach your personal statement with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Related ResourcesAAMC The Premed Competencies for Entering Medical StudentsMindsets: A View From Two ErasThe Obstacle Is the WayAlicia Nimonkar bio and contact informationRelated Admissions Straight Talk EpisodesThe Fastest Way to Medical School Is Slowly: Avoiding Early Premed Mistakes [Episode 608]How to Overcome the Biggest Weaknesses in Med School Applications [Episode 605]Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond [Episode 523] Follow UsYouTubeFacebookLinkedInContact Uswww.accepted.comsupport@accepted.com+1 (310) 815-9553

Is the MCAT actually getting harder… or just noisier?

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

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!

Don't just say you are ready to be a doctor. Show that you already live like one.  In today's episode, one of our BeMo experts breaks down the AAMC Core Competencies, and how you can align yourself to them in every aspect of your application.    Like the podcast? Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with our team: https://bemo.ac/podbr-BeMoFreeConsult   Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more great tips and other useful information!   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeMoAcademicConsultingInc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bemoacademicconsulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bemo_academic_consulting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeMo_AC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bemoacademicconsulting  

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!

Feeling overwhelmed by the endless list of MCAT resources? You're not alone. The key isn't to use every book and question bank-it's to study smarter, not harder.In this episode, I'm giving you a complete breakdown of the exact resources I used to tackle the MCAT. We'll cover:• My "must-have" resources vs. the "nice-to-have"• A personal review of popular Q-banks (like UWorld, AAMC, etc.)• How to use Anki for content review without it taking over your life• Specific strategies and resources for CARS, B/B, C/P, and P/S• Resources I tried and skipped-and whyStop the guesswork and start building an efficient MCAT study plan. If you're a premed student looking for the best MCAT advice, this episode is for you.THE LINKS TO MENTIONED RESOURCEShttps://jackwestin.comkaptest.comblueprintprep.comaltiustestprep.comuworld.comhttps://students-residents.aamc.org/prepare-mcat-exam/prepare-mcat-exam

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!

Joe sits down with Dr. Marin Gillis, PhD, LPh, Senior Executive Dean for Faculty Affairs andLearning Innovation and Professor in the Department of Bioethics, Humanism, and Policy atRoseman University College of Medicine. A philosopher, bioethicist, and internationallyrecognized educational leader, Dr. Gillis shares her unique path through philosophy, bioethics,and medical education. She discusses her role in leading the Office of Faculty Affairs &Learning Innovation (OFALI), a transdisciplinary team focused on empowering faculty throughscholarly development, inclusive leadership, and equity-centered support.Dr. Gillis talks about her passion for professionalism, arts in medicine, and ethical reasoning,and how her work bridges the classroom, clinic, and community. She reflects on her leadershipjourney, including her service with the Cambridge Consortium for Bioethics Education, theAmerican Society for Bioethics and Humanities, and the AAMC's Group on Women in Medicineand Science. With experience across multiple institutions and a deep commitment toadvancing underrepresented faculty, Dr. Gillis brings insight into building innovative, just, andhumanistic medical education for the future. Be sure to tune in for a thoughtful and inspiringconversation.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 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!

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!

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!

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!

Struggling to keep the nervous system straight—or just worried you'll blank on that -70 mV resting potential?

In this week's CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack dissect the June 2 daily passage, “Mutiny of 1857.” You'll see—in real time—how 129 + scorers turn dense paragraphs on British-Indian politics into a clear, test-day game plan.What you'll learn:- How to spot the true argument inside a long list of dates, names, and facts- Why the trial of India's Mughal Emperor signaled a power shift—and how the author uses that to prove a point- “Mythological symbols” as a hidden theme the MCAT loves to test- When a single sentence is the key to the entire passage (and how to find it fast)- Why tougher reads usually mean easier questions—and how to exploit that pattern

Feeling lost when a “dry” history passage pops up in CARS? In this week's Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack prove that even the most yawn-inducing topic—British colonial revolutions—can become score-boosting gold once you know how to read it like a 129 + scorer.

In this episode, hosts Drs. Peter Lu and Jason Silverman talk to Dr. Cary Sauer about Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) to break down this concept and all the related terminology that is part of this approach to medical training. If you're confused about CBME, EPAs, milestones and competencies, this episode is for you! Dr. Sauer is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist specializing in the care of children with IBD and Division Chief at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University.Learning Objectives:Understand what Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) means and how it differs from traditional time-based models of medical trainingUnderstand how milestones, competencies and EPAs relate to one another within the CBME frameworkRecognize the central role of entrustment and how that can is incorporated into workplace-based assessments of traineesLinks:Pediatric GI Milestones (v2.0)NASPGHAN EPA resourcesABP EPAs for subspecialtiesNorth American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology,  Hepatology, and Nutrition Position Paper on Entrustable  Professional Activities: Development of Pediatric  Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Entrustable  Professional ActivitiesEducating pediatric gastroenterology fellows: milestones, EPAs, & their application within a new educational curriculumImplementing entrustable professional activities in pediatric fellowships: facilitating the processSupport the showThis episode may be eligible for CME credit! Once you have listened to the episode, click this link to claim your credit. Credit is available to NASPGHAN members (if you are not a member, you should probably sign up). And thank you to the NASPGHAN Professional Education Committee for their review!As always, the discussion, views, and recommendations in this podcast are the sole responsibility of the hosts and guests and are subject to change over time with advances in the field.Check out our merch website!Follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news and upcoming episodes.Click here to support the show.

In this episode, Mike and Molly breaks down everything you need to confidently tackle fluids on test day. From understanding pressure and density with relatable examples (like suitcases, watermelons, and sleeping on nails!) to mastering Bernoulli's equation, Venturi effect, and fluid continuity, you'll finally grasp the intuitive logic behind fluid dynamics.✅ In this episode, you'll learn:How to clearly define fluids, density, and pressure for MCAT-style questions.Real-world applications of pressure and hydrostatic pressure (watermelons, nails, soda cans!)Exactly how Bernoulli's equation and the Venturi effect work—and how airplanes fly because of it.The importance of fluid speed and pressure (continuity effect) to help you solve complex MCAT passages.

In this episode, Jack and Molly walks you through the “Expressways” CARS passage, breaking it down line by line to show you how top scorers approach complex arguments, tone, and author intent.Learn how to:– Identify the main idea in tricky passages– Navigate abstract language and structure– Use line-by-line reasoning to avoid trap answers– Think like the AAMC test makersClick here for the passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/expresswaysWhether you're stuck on timing, comprehension, or just can't seem to raise your CARS score, this real-time walkthrough will show you how to read smarter and build the critical thinking skills the MCAT rewards.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!