How Many CARS Questions Are on the MCAT?

If you’re preparing for the MCAT, you’ve probably heard about the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section—and how it’s unlike anything else on the test. Unlike the science-heavy sections that reward memorization, the CARS section challenges your ability to read critically, analyze arguments, and draw logical conclusions from unfamiliar passages. It’s a skill-based section that leaves no room for shortcuts or cramming.

Before you can master it, though, it’s essential to understand the structure—starting with how many CARS questions are on the MCAT. The CARS section consists of nine passages with a total of 53 questions, all of which must be completed in just 90 minutes. Each passage is followed by 5 to 7 questions that test your reading comprehension, reasoning skills, and ability to evaluate ideas under pressure.

In this guide, we’ll break down the exact number and format of MCAT CARS questions, how they’re distributed across the section, and why this structure plays such a key role in your test day strategy. Whether you’re just starting your MCAT prep or fine-tuning your approach, understanding the CARS format is the first step to improving your performance and boosting your score.

I. Overview of the CARS Section on the MCAT

The MCAT CARS section, short for Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, is one of the four major components of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Unlike the other science-based sections, which assess specific content knowledge, the CARS section is designed to evaluate your reasoning skills, critical analysis, and reading comprehension—making it a uniquely challenging part of the exam.

So, what is the MCAT CARS section exactly? Understanding how many CARS passages you’ll face is essential for pacing your reading and maximizing your score. You’ll face 9 passages, drawn from disciplines like philosophy, ethics, literature, and social sciences, with each followed by a series of comprehension questions that assess your ability to understand arguments, identify assumptions, and interpret rhetorical devices. CARS stands apart from the rest of the MCAT because it tests pure reasoning skills rather than content memorization or prior knowledge.

Why is this section so important to your MCAT score and med school application? Because it measures the very skills you'll need as a physician: interpreting complex information, critically thinking under pressure, and communicating effectively. Medical schools, especially those with a holistic admissions approach, place significant weight on your CARS performance. Strong CARS performance is often viewed favorably in medical school admissions, as it demonstrates that you’re ready to thrive in the academic and clinical reasoning demands of medical school.

If you're looking to build confidence and boost your performance, check out CARSBooster’s full suite of tools and practice materials designed specifically for the MCAT CARS section. From realistic, full-length CARS section tests to expert-designed strategies, you'll find everything you need to improve.

II. How Many Questions Are in the MCAT CARS Section?

The MCAT CARS section consists of 53 questions in total, all based on nine passages. Each passage is followed by 5 to 7 questions, which assess your ability to analyze arguments, interpret tone and logic, and apply reasoning skills without relying on outside knowledge.

The distribution of questions across passages isn’t perfectly uniform—some may have only 5, while others have up to 7—but overall, the questions are designed to test a variety of reading comprehension, critical analysis, and logical reasoning skills. This structure keeps test takers on their toes and reinforces the need for a flexible, adaptable approach to each new passage.

You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the entire CARS section, giving you roughly 10 minutes per passage. That includes both reading and answering the associated questions, making time management a critical factor in achieving a competitive MCAT score. Ideally, you should aim to spend no more than 3–4 minutes reading and 6–7 minutes answering questions per passage to stay on pace. Each correct CARS answer contributes equally to your MCAT CARS score, regardless of the difficulty of the question.

Mastering your pacing while maintaining accuracy is key. Practicing under timed conditions—and reviewing your performance regularly—can help you build the stamina and focus needed to tackle the full set of CARS questions on the MCAT with confidence.

III. MCAT CARS Passage Structure

Understanding the structure of MCAT CARS passages is essential to navigating the section effectively. Each passage in the CARS section is approximately 500–600 words long and is written in a dense, formal style that mimics academic writing. These passages are sourced from a wide range of humanities and social sciences disciplines, including philosophy, population health, history, literature, and cultural studies.

The structure of each passage typically includes:

• An introductory paragraph that sets up the main topic or question.
• Body paragraphs that develop ideas, present arguments, or contrast perspectives.
• A concluding paragraph (sometimes omitted) that may reflect on implications or reinforce the author’s viewpoint.

While the tone may vary—ranging from neutral to opinionated—the passages are always designed to challenge your reading comprehension and reasoning skills. Many passages are drawn from topics related to diverse cultures, challenging your ability to interpret unfamiliar viewpoints objectively. They often feature rhetorical devices, abstract language, and complex sentence structures, requiring test takers to pay close attention to both what is being said and how it's being said.

Unlike science-based sections of the MCAT, CARS passages do not contain visual aids, data, or technical jargon. Everything you need to answer the questions is embedded in the text, and prior knowledge is neither tested nor helpful. Your ability to identify the main idea, evaluate the author’s argument, and analyze subtle shifts in tone or logic is what matters most.

Familiarity with this structure can significantly improve your performance. When you understand how a typical passage is built, you can more easily anticipate transitions, isolate key points, and approach CARS questions with a clear, strategic mindset.

IV. How Hard Is It to Answer CARS Questions?

Many students find CARS questions to be the most difficult part of the MCAT. Unlike the science sections that test memorized content, the CARS section of the MCAT assesses your ability to read critically, analyze abstract material, and draw logical conclusions—all under strict time constraints.

The questions are designed to be subtle and reasoning-based. Instead of asking for simple facts, they test your ability to understand the author’s tone, the structure of the argument, and the assumptions behind the text. Often, all the answer choices seem plausible, but only one is completely supported by the passage. This makes it easy to be misled by tempting but incorrect options—especially if you rely on prior knowledge or instinct.

The passages themselves are complex and drawn from unfamiliar disciplines like ethics, literature, and political theory. Many students are not used to reading this kind of dense, argumentative prose, which increases the challenge. Add to that the limited time—90 minutes for 53 questions across 9 passages—and the pressure builds quickly. You have roughly 10 minutes to read, process, and answer each passage set, leaving very little room for second-guessing or rereading.

Finally, success on this section requires higher-order thinking. You’ll need to infer, evaluate, and extrapolate, often applying the author’s reasoning to new or hypothetical situations. These skills are difficult to fake and can only be developed through consistent, focused Critical Analysis and Reasoning practice.

V. Tips to Manage CARS Questions Effectively

Performing well on the CARS section of the MCAT exam isn’t just about comprehension—it’s about having a solid MCAT CARS strategy. To succeed, you need to manage your time, sharpen your reasoning skills, and minimize the impact of confusing questions. Below are key tips that high scorers use to stay in control on test day:

1. Master Time Allocation: You’ll have 90 minutes to complete 53 questions across 9 passages, giving you about 10 minutes per passage. Stick to this limit by aiming for 4–5 minutes to read and 5–6 minutes to answer. Don’t spend too long on a single question—flag it and move on if needed.
    
2. Read Actively: Treat each passage as a logical argument. Develop active reading skills by focusing on the author's tone, thesis, and transitions between ideas. Annotate mentally or lightly—mark main ideas, contrasting viewpoints, and paragraph roles to improve comprehension and recall.
    
3.  Eliminate Strategically: Use the process of elimination aggressively. Wrong answers often include extreme language, go beyond the passage, or misrepresent the author’s intent. Look for choices that are too narrow, too broad, or introduce outside information.
    
4. Avoid Outside Knowledge: While your instincts may lean on personal opinion, all answers must be based solely on the passage’s content and logic. Even if you’re familiar with the topic, resist the urge to insert prior knowledge. The MCAT rewards textual reasoning, not external expertise.
    
5.  Maintain Composure: CARS can feel overwhelming, especially if early passages seem dense. Don’t panic. If a passage is particularly difficult, move on and return later. Prioritize maintaining a rhythm and finishing the section on time.

VI. Final Thoughts

The CARS section holds a unique place on the MCAT. While it doesn't test content memorization like the science sections, it evaluates something far more fundamental: your ability to interpret complex ideas, identify argument structure, and utilize analysis and reasoning skills. This is why the CARS section is so important—it reflects the type of cognitive work physicians do every day.

What many students overlook is how improving in CARS can elevate their entire MCAT experience. CARS teaches you to slow down, think more clearly, and approach questions with a deeper level of critical analysis. These skills transfer directly to other sections of the exam. If you're able to sharpen your reading comprehension, manage your time wisely, and eliminate answer choices with precision in CARS, you'll likely see gains in your MCAT score overall.

Focusing on CARS is not just about achieving a competitive section score—it's about developing the intellectual agility that defines a strong medical school candidate. Whether you're aiming for a 515+ or trying to raise a plateaued score, CARS is often the key to unlocking your next level of performance.

VII. FAQs

Q: How many CARS questions are there on the MCAT?
A: The MCAT CARS section includes a total of 53 questions, distributed across 9 passages. Each passage typically contains 5 to 7 questions, which assess a range of skills—from identifying the main idea and interpreting rhetorical devices to evaluating arguments and drawing inferences.

Q: How long does the CARS section last?
A: You are given 90 minutes to complete the CARS section. With 9 complex passages to work through, this means you have about 10 minutes per passage, including time to read, analyze, and answer the related questions. Time management is key—many test takers struggle not because of comprehension, but because they run out of time.

Q: Are all CARS questions scored equally?
A: Yes, each CARS question is weighted equally, regardless of how difficult or time-consuming it may seem. Whether it’s a simple comprehension question or a complex reasoning challenge, every correct answer contributes the same to your overall CARS score. That’s why it’s crucial not to dwell too long on a single question.

Q: How can I improve my performance in CARS?
A: To improve your CARS performance, practice active reading, identifying the main idea, and reviewing both correct and incorrect answers to refine your reasoning. Working through targeted practice questions during MCAT prep regularly can sharpen your timing, reasoning, and comprehension for test day. Track patterns in your mistakes and practice regularly under timed conditions. For expert strategies, realistic passages, and personalized feedback, use tools like CARSBooster to accelerate your improvement.