

Jack Westin MCAT Podcast
Jack Westin
Mike and Molly from Jack Westin discusses anecdotes, advice, and ramblings on the premed years, the MCAT, and life beyond. Have new episodes delivered to you by subscribing.
Episodes
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Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 22min
The Ultimate MCAT Question Strategies to Boost Your Score
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. 👉 Practice what you learn with our Free Live Sessions: 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

Aug 20, 2025 • 43min
British Monarchy Passage I Identify Facts vs. Arguments in CARS History Passages
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! 📱📌 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

Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 7min
Stop Forgetting MCAT Material: The Science of Memory Made Easy
In this video, we break down how memory works—from forming new memories to strategies that help you study smarter. We’ll cover the information processing model, working vs. short-term memory, and encoding strategies. Not only do we review how memory is tested on the MCAT, but we also show you how to apply these concepts directly to your prep so you can get the most out of your studying. Boost retention on Psych/Soc and across the exam!

Aug 13, 2025 • 42min
Patriotism Passage Breakdown - Practice Mastering Unclear & Dense CARS Passages
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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=youtube&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

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 14min
Read MCAT Science Passages Like a Top Scorer (520+ Strategy Guide)
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! 📱📌 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

Aug 6, 2025 • 46min
CARS Reading Skills Workshop with Jack Westin: Chronic Illness I Jack Westin CARS Podcast
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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📚 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

Aug 4, 2025 • 56min
Connections in MCAT Metabolism: PPP, Beta Oxidation, and More
Get ready to make sense of all those arrows on your metabolism chart! 🧪 In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly walk through the big picture of carbohydrate metabolism and show you how every pathway, from glycolysis to the pentose-phosphate pathway, fits together and shows up on Test Day.What you’ll learnFed vs. fasted state logic – how insulin & glucagon flip metabolic switchesGlycolysis shortcuts (hexokinase, PFK-1 regulation) you actually have to memorizeCitric Acid Cycle tips for spotting high-yield intermediates (citrate, α-KG, OAA)Pentose Phosphate Pathway: why the MCAT loves NADPH & ribose-5-phosphateBranch points into glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, and fatty-acid synthesisHow to predict pathway direction from classic passage cluesWant 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📚 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

Aug 4, 2025 • 37min
CARS Reading Skills Workshop with Jack Westin: Teenager Health I Jack Westin CARS Podcast
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! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📚 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

Jul 23, 2025 • 38min
CARS Reading Skills Workshop with Jack Westin: Internet Instruction I Jack Westin CARS Podcast
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.🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to break down complex CARS passages effectivelyWhy identifying main ideas vs. examples is crucialKey arguments: Internet instruction is beneficial, but is it ready for full adoption?How to track arguments, tone, and opinion shifts for MCAT CARS successThe importance of institutional approval and faculty involvement in implementing educational technology📌 Passage Highlights:The evolving role of the internet in higher educationFaculty perspectives and real-world data from APA and Chronicle of Higher EducationThe nuances of author tone and argument developmentA step-by-step strategy for mapping CARS passages🔗 Try the Free CARS Daily Passage for July 23rd and attempt the questions:👉 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! 📱📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com 🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions 👨🏻🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses 🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep

Jul 22, 2025 • 50min
MCAT Metabolism Part 3: ETC & Oxidative Phosphorylation Explained
In Episode 27, we wrap up our Metabolism series by diving into one of the most testable—and often misunderstood—topics on the MCAT: The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and Oxidative Phosphorylation.We cover everything you need to know for MCAT success:🔬 What You’ll Learn:Where ETC happens: The inner mitochondrial membraneComplex I vs. Complex II: NADH vs. FADH₂The secret identity of SDH (succinate dehydrogenase)How proton gradients drive ATP productionWhy uncouplers like 2,4-DNP are dangerousWhy cyanide is lethal (hint: Complex IV)Final ATP yields from NADH and FADH₂ (30–36 total!)📚 Pro Tip: Make sure to review Redox and Thermodynamics before watching this episode.Next up: We'll break down alternative fuel sources—like proteins, fats, and ketones—in our upcoming non-glucose metabolism episode!Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com 🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions 👨🏻🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses 🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep


