What type of writing can commonly be found in the CARS section?

In the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section of the MCAT, the writing that is most frequently encountered consists of literary critiques and essays. This type of writing encourages critical thinking and analysis, which aligns with the skills assessed in the CARS section. Literary critiques often involve interpretation, evaluation, and an understanding of context, themes, and structures, while essays may express viewpoints on various topics, inviting deeper consideration of arguments presented. This format is designed to test a student's ability to extract meaning, analyze complex ideas, and synthesize information from nuanced texts, which are essential skills for success in medical school and beyond.

In contrast, while technical manuals, laboratory reports, and policy briefs may contain valuable information, they do not encapsulate the same level of critical analysis and subjective interpretation that is prevalent in literary critiques and essays. These other types of documents tend to be more straightforward and fact-based, focusing on specific, often practical content. Thus, they do not align as closely with the goals and requirements of the CARS section.