SCA exam format, timing and marking

How the Simulated Consultation Assessment is structured

The RCGP describes twelve cases, each with a twelve-minute consultation and an independent examiner. Check its current published guidance for the format and marking requirements.

• Twelve cases, each independently marked by a different examiner — every consultation starts from zero
• Twelve minutes per consultation, so practice needs to include prioritisation and a complete close
• Three marking domains, each graded clear pass, pass, fail, or clear fail
• An aggregated overall mark — there is no minimum number of cases you must pass individually

What the aggregated mark changes about your strategy

Because the RCGP calculates the overall result from marks aggregated across all twelve cases rather than a required count of cases passed, every consultation contributes. Preparation should therefore build a repeatable structure across different presentations, not depend on a few especially strong cases.

• Do not write off a case that starts badly — its marks still count toward the aggregate.
• Do not chase a perfect consultation at the cost of the clock; an unfinished case leaves less opportunity to demonstrate the full consultation.
• Practise recovering mid-consultation, because you cannot compensate for a lost case elsewhere.
• A repeated weakness in one domain can affect the aggregate mark, so review patterns across cases.

• Rehearse under exam-style timing
• What each SCA domain assesses in detail

Useful starting points for SCA exam prep

These pages turn the exam structure into specific practice blocks.

• SCA exam day checklist
• Common SCA mistakes
• Time management
• Communication skills