Is the MCAT actually getting harder… or just noisier? 👀
In this episode of the Jack Westin MCAT Podcast, Mike and Molly sit down after taking AAMC Practice Exam 6 themselves and doing a full data-backed breakdown with the JW content team. No spoilers, no specific passages or questions discussed – just trends, strategy, and what this exam tells us about the future of the MCAT in 2025 and 2026.
✅ What we cover:
- How AAMC Exam 6 compares to Exams 1–4 and the rebranded Free Practice / Exam 5
- Why pure recall (P0) questions are decreasing and P1/P2 “content + passage” questions are on the rise
- What P0, P1, P2, P3 actually mean for how you should study
- The big picture: why content is necessary but not sufficient anymore
🧪 Section-by-section trends:
Chem/Phys
- “Scary-looking, not that deep” questions
- Passages that look intimidating but boil down to one core idea
- Why a solid passage-reading process can turn “impossible” questions into 20–30 second wins
Bio/Biochem
- Very Section Bank Volume 1–coded energy
- Heavy on pathways, relationships, inhibitors/activators, and mapping
- Fewer pure content grabs, more questions that truly blend content + passage strategy
Psych/Soc
- Fewer straight-up vocab questions, more application questions tied to passages
- Why people say it’s “becoming like CARS” (and what that actually means)
- How to use CARS-style reasoning (“least wrong answer”) to survive tricky psych/soc sets
🧠 Key takeaways for your MCAT prep:
- The exam isn’t necessarily harder – it’s messier and more data-dense
- You cannot rely on memorization alone
You need:
- A real passage-reading system
- Deeper conceptual understanding (not just flashcards)
- Consistent practice blending content + passage reasoning
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with:
- Your AAMC Exam 6 experience
- What section scares you the most right now
- Topics you want us to break down next on the podcast
Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com! 📱
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