MRCGP SCA Practice can feel daunting, even for experienced GPs. The SCA tests not only your clinical knowledge, but also your consultation skills, record-keeping, and application of guidelines. With the right strategy and plenty of focused practice, you can build confidence and maximize your performance on exam day. Here’s how to structure your SCA preparation for success. Each case is marked in three domains:

Data gathering and diagnosis (DG&D)
Clinical management and medical complexity (CM&C)
Relating to others (RTO)

Each domain is awarded one of four grades relative to the standard of a newly qualified GP:

CP (clear pass) – above the standard of a newly qualified GP
P (pass) – meets the standard of a newly qualified GP
F (fail) – below the standard of a newly qualified GP
CF (clear fail) – well below the standard of a newly qualified GP

Effective practice for the SCA hinges on deliberate, structured rehearsal under exam-like conditions. Begin by building a diverse bank of 30–40 case scenarios that cover a range of acute, chronic, and complex presentations. Reflect on the best way to consult in such scenarios, what would you ask etc. Record your regular NHS consultations whenever possible: reviewing your own verbal and non-verbal communication helps you identify habits like interrupting the patient, rushing through safety-netting, or neglecting psychosocial cues.

Equally important is seeking targeted feedback. Partner with peers or a mentor to run mock stations, swapping roles as candidate, patient, and observer. Use the RCGP’s detailed domain descriptors to frame your feedback. After each session, pinpoint one or two specific skills to improve — and drill those in the next round of practice. Consistency, reflective review, and focused feedback will sharpen both your clinical reasoning and consultation finesse, setting you up for SCA success.

Prepare with purpose, practice with precision, perform with confidence.