Lesson 1 - CARS

What are the six steps for CARS?

1. Ranking and ordering

2. Preview the questions

3. Work the passage

4. Bottom line

5. Do the questions

6. Inspect the section

What does ranking and ordering entail?

Decide now/later/never for each passage (not all at once)

Do so by reading the first couple sentences and paraphrasing → if it is familiar and concrete, do it now

If it has unfamiliar words or is abstract, do it later

What do you do for passages marked for later?

Write down passage number and related questions

Answer questions randomly

Review later

How many passages are there?

9

10 minutes each

What does previewing the question entail?

Scan questions for key words on passage contents

Questions are not chronological or in difficulty order

What does working the passage entail?

Hilight key words and phrases (including key words from questions)

Jot down paragraph notes and brief summaries

Note tone and structural elements (however, except, etc.)

What does the bottom line entail?

Describe overall theme and purpose

Link first and last paragraphs together

Incorporate main topic and tone

How do you do the questions?

Read word for word and translate the question task

Look back at the text (most questions pull information directly) for information and context (do not use memory)

Answer in your own words, and eliminate based on that

Use POE

Go last question to first for each passage

What does inspecting the section entail?

When 5 minutes remain: check review screen to make sure all are answered

Do NOT rethink questions already answered

Implement 5 minute strategy if needed

What is the five minute strategy?

How do you self-evaluate?

For every question missed/struggled with: What was wrong with answer? What was difference between the one I picked vs right answer? Why did I like the wrong answer? What didn’t I like about the right answer? What will I do differently in the future?

For questions right: How was my strategy helpful in recognizing right answers? How can I do this in the future?

Make a physical log of this stuff