MCAT TIP - ACTIVE ANNOTATION STRATEGY

 

MCAT Tip of the Week: Active Annotation Strategy

Read with Purpose
When approaching any MCAT passage, it is important to actively identify the main idea or purpose behind the text rather than passively reading the details. Ask yourself: What is the author’s central argument or objective? This mindset helps you focus on the bigger picture instead of getting lost in minor details.

Jot Concise Notes
While reading, record brief annotations on your scratch paper. Examples include marking the “hypothesis,” noting the “tone” of the passage, or identifying key comparisons such as “Group A vs. Group B.” These short notes create a clear structure in your mind and guide you toward what the questions are most likely to test.

Improve Time Management
Active annotation prevents unnecessary rereading of the passage, allowing you to move through questions more efficiently. This practice can save valuable time during the exam and reduce mental fatigue.

Enhance Accuracy
By creating a framework of the passage in your own words, you are less likely to second-guess your answers. Your notes will keep you anchored to the passage’s main points, making it easier to eliminate distractors and choose the best response.

Most Effective For CARS and Experimental Design Passages

This strategy is particularly useful in the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section and in passages that describe experimental setups. Both require you to track arguments, hypotheses, and interpretations—skills that active annotation directly strengthens.