MRCGP SCA exam tips — format, marking & fees
A current, no-fluff explainer of what the Simulated Consultation Assessment actually is: how the 12-by-12-minute structure works, what each marking domain rewards, the 12 blueprint groups your cases will come from, and what the exam costs in 2025–26.
What the SCA actually is, and what it’s testing
The SCA looks like 12 ordinary consultations on a Tuesday morning — but every minute is mapped to a marking grid. Knowing the grid is half the battle.
- 12 simulated consultations, each lasting 12 minutes, with a 3-minute gap between cases.
- Sat remotely from your GP surgery on the Osler Online platform — not at the RCGP.
- Most cases are video consultations; some are audio-only (telephone-style). The exact split varies between sittings — the RCGP does not publish a fixed ratio.
- Cases may be the patient, a carer/parent, or another health/social care professional.
- Run across nine months of the year — sat in ST3 only.
- Role-players are professionally trained, calibrated and standardised so the case appears the same for every candidate but responds individually to your approach.
- No physical examination is assessed — that’s covered in WPBA.
Every case is marked across three domains, each given one of four grades. The RCGP says domain weighting is determined separately for each exam, but Clinical Management has historically been the domain candidates most commonly fail in.
Data gathering & diagnosis
Systematically gathers and organises relevant, targeted information. Generates an appropriate differential, or works from first principles when the presentation is undifferentiated or complex.
Clinical management & medical complexity
Formulates safe, appropriate management. Demonstrates prioritisation, continuity, time- and self-management. Commits to optimum short- and long-term care while acknowledging the challenges.
Relating to others
Demonstrates ethical awareness and person-centred communication. Shows initiative and flexibility to overcome communication barriers and reach a shared understanding with the patient.
The RCGP balances each sitting against a blueprint of 12 Clinical Experience Groups. The names match the WPBA framework, and you should prepare equally across all of them — none is more “important” than another.
360+ cases across the 12 blueprint groups
Every case includes a role-play script, marking scheme, patient explanations and an evidence-based management summary — so you can find your weak groups and work through them systematically.
Watch a real consultation play out before you spend a penny — it’s the fastest way to understand what “good” looks like in this exam.
- RCGP official sample videos — the closest you’ll get to seeing the real exam UI.
- Two free Scarevision cases — full role-play scripts, marking schemes and explanations.
- 70+ recorded consultations with marking commentary — see how points are gained and lost in real-time.
The current SCA fee is £1,207 (2025–26). It’s the same for first attempts and re-sits.
Exam fees are tax-deductible — keep your pass certificate and proof of payment, and use a P87 form or letter from RCGP. Many trainees are also asked for a copy of their training contract (your practice manager can help).
How to actually revise — the 4-month plan
Group structure, solo practice that works, recording yourself, and the five mistakes that cost trainees a re-sit.
Exam day, logistics first
Osler Online tech requirements, room setup checklist, do’s and don’ts, and what to do if the connection drops.
360+ cases. 12 consultation guides. 70+ marked videos.
The library you’d build for yourself if you had the time — written by GP trainers, used by 9,000+ trainees, from £11.99/month.
Membership gives you access to 350+ SCA practice cases, 350+ AI Patients*, 12 detailed consultation guides, mock exam generator and an enhanced explanation tool - designed by Doctors to help you pass your MRCGP SCA Exam. Take these cases with you on your mobile device to revise on the go. No minimum sign-up, cancel anytime. *Additional purchase required
Membership gives you access to 350+ SCA practice cases, 350+ AI Patients*, 12 detailed consultation guides, PLUS 70+ videos covering 30+ SCA cases, mock exam generator and an enhanced explanation tool - designed by Doctors to help you pass your MRCGP SCA Exam. Take these cases with you on your mobile device to revise on the go. No minimum sign-up, cancel anytime! *Additional purchase required