Jack Westin MCAT Podcast

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.📌 Resources Mentioned:Free Trial Session → https://jackwestin.com/sessionsFree MCAT Question Bank → https://jackwestin.com/#daily-passagesWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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📌 Resources Mentioned:Free Trial Session → https://jackwestin.com/sessionsFree MCAT Question Bank → https://jackwestin.com/#daily-passagesWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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.📌 Resources Mentioned:Free Trial Session → https://jackwestin.com/sessionsFree MCAT Question Bank → https://jackwestin.com/#daily-passagesWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

Dive deep into the essentials of forces, energy, and power with engaging discussions on Newton's laws. Understand the importance of mastering these concepts for tackling MCAT physics questions. Gain clarity on free body diagrams, action-reaction pairs, and the significance of normal force in everyday scenarios. Explore the concepts of kinetic and potential energy, work, and how friction can remove energy. With practical examples from elevators to airbags, you'll see physics in action and feel more confident. Get ready to tackle your studies with newfound knowledge!

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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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📖 Read the passage first (Sept 3 Daily): https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/billy-the-kidWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast

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!👉 Read the daily CARS passage for August 27th here: https://jackwestin.com/daily/mcat-practice-passages/cars-practice-passages/tony-kushnerWant to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast