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Hosted by jack westin
Hosted by jack westin
3 episodes with jack westin
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Think political‑science passages are “easy newspaper reads”?
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!
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
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!
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.
Welcome back to the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast – CARS Reading Skills Workshop edition! In this episode, your hosts Jack and Molly tackle a passage that's deceptively simple yet rich in critical reasoning practice: “Turns”
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 week's Jack Westin CARS Workshop, Molly and Jack work through an entire passage live (see link below). You'll hear their unfiltered thought-process, why they slow down on certain lines, and exactly how they decide between tempting answer choices.
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT CARS Podcast, Molly and Jack tackle a notoriously difficult CARS passage focused on European finance—and show you exactly how to break it down with confidence.Try this exact passage and its questions for free: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/european-finance
In this Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Molly and Jack tackle a challenging passage about translating opera, helping you master unfamiliar topics with confidence.Click here for the passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/translating-opera✅ Learn how to stay focused even when the topic feels foreign or technical.✅ Discover how to identify the author's perspective—even when you're lost in the details.✅ Practice spotting comparisons, cause-effect relationships, and tone shifts—critical for high-scoring answers.✅ Build the mental flexibility needed to handle any weird CARS passage the MCAT throws at you.
Feeling like you're drowning in O-Chem, extracurriculars, and MCAT prep? In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly sit down with Dr. Sona Vasudevan, professor of biochemistry at Georgetown University and director of a top post-bacc program, to unpack why the pre-med journey feels so overwhelming — and what you can do about it.We dive into:- The hidden emotional toll of pre-med life- Common mistakes students make with time and stress management- Practical strategies for navigating coursework, applications, and burnout- Why mentorship (or the lack of it) makes or breaks successIf you're feeling stuck, scattered, or just plain exhausted, this is the episode for you. Don't forget to subscribe and share this with a fellow pre-med warrior.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ever felt lost in a philosophical CARS passage about art, symbolism, or abstract metaphors? Today's workshop is exactly what you need. In this Jack Westin CARS Reading Skills Workshop, Jack and Molly work through a challenging passage about the "Mother Mound," unpacking the complex ideas and hidden reasoning the MCAT loves to test.Click here for the passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/mother-mound✅ Learn how to decode symbolism and focus on the author's deeper purpose.✅ See how to stay grounded even when the language gets flowery or confusing.✅ Practice identifying main ideas and logical flow in dense, abstract writing.✅ Build the mental endurance to tackle the hardest CARS passages with confidence.
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!
In this deep-dive CARS workshop, Jack and Molly walks you through a real MCAT passage ('Horatii') and shares practical strategies to help you read with purpose, analyze with clarity, and avoid the traps that hold students back. Whether you're stuck on timing or struggling to connect ideas, this session will help you shift your mindset and build the skills you need to improve your score.Click here for the passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/horatiiWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this special episode, join Jack Westin—the "King of CARS" himself—for an interactive workshop focused entirely on mastering CARS reading skills. Jack shares his proven strategies for active reading, efficient analysis, and avoiding common pitfalls. If you're struggling to improve your CARS score or simply looking to sharpen your comprehension, this episode will transform your approach and boost your confidence!Click here for the passage: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/hunting-animalsWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
In this episode, Mike and Molly dive deep into the world of Anki and explore how you can use this powerful tool to boost your MCAT prep without wasting time. Whether you're new to Anki or looking to optimize your current study routine, our hosts break down everything you need to know—from understanding the basics to fine-tuning your daily review habits. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Struggling to maximize your study sessions? Mike & Molly are back with five more high-yield tips to help you boost your efficiency, stay motivated, and improve your test performance!In this episode, they'll cover:✅ How to get the most out of practice✅ The best way to simulate the test environment✅ Developing smart test-taking strategies✅ Avoiding burnout while keeping up the momentum✅ Staying motivated through the toughest study days
Ahmed and Eric break down the major types of isomers and share tricks for how to approach them come test day. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Jack Westin Team! Join Eric and Jayden as they discuss advice that helped them in preparing for the MCAT and starting medical school. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Jayden discuss Ahmed's trip to Ecuador and the physical challenges it presented in a tournament setting. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric explore the 3 major theories of development, their real world validity, and ways to conceptualize them while studying. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Jayden and Eric talk through some of their previous failures and discuss how to cope with shortcomings in medical education. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric breakdown the 3 major types of nuclear decay on the MCAT and what the hallmarks of each are. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric debrief on the nature of genetics on the MCAT, and what concepts to really hone in on in contrast to what you may have learned in your undergrad or pre-med courses. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join Ahmed and Eric for an insightful conversation regarding the reality of practicing medicine - notably, how socioeconomic and cultural factors affect patients' treatment. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric discuss the concept of homeostasis and negative feedback loops, while looking in depth specifically at calcium homeostasis. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric reflect on what medical school is like, and what skills/mindsets you want to have to make your 4 years smooth and enjoyable. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join Jayden and Eric as they share some of their experiences in medical education and discuss how to confront the demands of medical education. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric wrap up their 3 part series on the Central Dogma of Biology with an in-depth discussion of translation. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric walk students through the different definitions of acids and bases, then transition into related equations and applications. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Jayden discuss common success and struggle stories regarding students' experiences using practice questions to study for the MCAT, and how you can maximize their value. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric continue their discussion of the central dogma of biology by diving into the details of transcription. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Jayden continue their CARS discussion from a few episodes ago with an emphasis on question strategies - what should students be on the lookout for to maximize their chances of answering questions correctly? Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric discuss the major steps in DNA replication, how it differs in eukaryotes vs. prokaryotes and viruses, and make real world connections to cancer in the process. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric walk through the oxidation-reduction pathways in organic chemistry, touching on ways to simplify the reagents and molecules involved while connecting them to major biomolecules. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join Ahmed and Eric as they walk through the major structures and components of the cardiovascular system, explaining how the structures are intricately related to their functions. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Eric discuss the 3 major types of memory, forgetting/interference, as well as lessons we can apply from our understanding of memory to our studying. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Ahmed and Jayden reflect on their personal experiences, as well as their students', with CARS, the challenges they've faced, and how to overcome them. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join Eric and Jayden as they discuss nature vs nurture and related study methods, including twin studies and adoptive studies. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
Join Eric and Jayden as they discuss nature vs. nurture and related study methods, including twin studies and adoptive studies. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!
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