Exam Guides - 3 min read
SCA Preparation Quick-Start Guide 2026
A quick overview of SCA preparation for 2026 covering the exam format and key preparation strategies for the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment.
What this page is about
This is a brief orientation for GP trainees starting to think about SCA preparation. It is a quick overview rather than an authoritative source, so the current exam detail should always be confirmed on the RCGP website.
What is the SCA?
The Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) is one component of the MRCGP examination. It aims to assess patient-centred consultation skills, clinical reasoning, communication, and professional values in realistic general practice scenarios.
SCA exam format
The SCA is described by the RCGP as twelve simulated consultations, each lasting around twelve minutes, with simulated patients. Each station is marked against domains that broadly cover data gathering, clinical management, and relating to others. Trainees usually sit the SCA from their own GP surgery rather than at a separate centre.
Key preparation themes
Effective SCA preparation often combines clinical knowledge revision, consultation skills rehearsal, timed practice, and review of feedback. Practising under realistic time pressure tends to surface habits that reading alone does not.
Common topic areas to revise
Common SCA themes include cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health, musculoskeletal, dermatology, paediatrics, women's health, men's health, elderly care, prescribing, ethics, communication, examination skills, time management, and data interpretation. Each is a starting point for further reading rather than a definitive list.
Where to go next
Useful primary sources include the RCGP MRCGP SCA pages, the SCA toolkit, and the published feedback statements. NICE and the BNF are commonly used for clinical content. Trainees often find it helpful to pick one preparation theme at a time and rehearse a timed case that targets it before moving on.
Please enable JavaScript for the full interactive MRCGP SCA practice platform.