How long should I prepare for the SCA?

The RCGP doesn't set a length. It suggests attending its preparation webinars "at least three months before you anticipate sitting the SCA", and recommends agreeing your timing with your GP trainer or Educational Supervisor.

Does the RCGP run an SCA course?

Yes. It offers preparation courses "designed by examiners and GP experts", which have delegate fees, and a free two-part webinar series for ST2 and ST3 members.

How should I practice for the SCA?

Timed 12-minute consultations with someone playing a patient with a hidden agenda, marked against the RCGP toolkit and feedback statements, across all 12 blueprint groups and including audio-only cases.

Can I use the BNF in the SCA?

No. The RCGP says that from September 2024 you won't be allowed to access the BNF during the SCA.

How many practice cases should I do?

The RCGP doesn't give a number. Our 12-week plan above has about 80 timed cases including two full 12-case mocks; adjust it to your feedback and your trainer's advice.

When does the RCGP send the device check?

Before your exam: the RCGP's "Sitting the SCA" page says four weeks before, and its candidate surgery guide says two weeks. Do it as soon as it arrives, on the same computer and in the room you'll use.

SCA Preparation: A 12-Week Plan, Practice Methods, Toolkit

Name: Confetto
Brand: Confetto
Price: 149 USD
Availability: InStock

The short version

Agree your timing with your trainer. The RCGP: "It is vitally important to take the examination only when ready."
Use the RCGP toolkit for the three domains and its global skills, including "Finishes data gathering by 6-7 minutes".
Cover all 12 blueprint groups. The RCGP says "candidates should prepare equally for all groups".
Free RCGP webinars for ST2 and ST3 members: two parts, two hours each, run in January, April, July and October.
Practice timed cases, mostly with a role-player who only reveals their concerns when you ask well, and include audio-only cases.
Mark yourself with the RCGP's words: the toolkit items and the 26 feedback statements.
Do the RCGP device check as soon as the link arrives (RCGP pages say four weeks, or two weeks, before the exam).

What the RCGP offers and recommends

RCGP resource	What it is (RCGP's words where quoted)
Timing advice	"It is always recommended that you discuss your desired timeframe for taking the SCA with your GP Trainer and/or Educational Supervisor ahead of booking a spot."
Consultation toolkit	An educational resource "developed by the North West England Deanery GP School, and updated for the SCA", for GP registrars to use with their educators. Pages for Data gathering, Clinical management, Relating to others and Global skills.
Feedback statements	26 statements across the three domains, each with educational notes that "make suggestions using specific examples".
Blueprint	12 Clinical Experience Groups, from "Patient less than 19 years old" to "Professional conversation / Professional dilemma".
Preparation webinars	"a free two-part webinar series"; "open to ST2 and ST3 RCGP members only"; "Each webinar lasts two hours"; run in April, July, October and January; attend "at least three months before you anticipate sitting the SCA". Content includes "a three-part template you can recall in exam conditions".
Preparation courses	"designed by examiners and GP experts"; "these courses have delegate fees attached".
Device check and walkthrough	Link sent before the exam (four weeks on the "Sitting the SCA" page, two weeks in the candidate surgery guide); do it on the same computer, in the same room.

Practice methods compared

Method	What it's good for	Limits	Where it fits
Study group with peers playing patients	Real conversation, cues, timing; free	Hard to schedule; peers know the case or go easy; marking is uneven	2–3 sessions a week, swapping doctor, patient and observer
Your trainer watching real or recorded consultations (COT, Audio-COT in WPBA)	Expert feedback on your real habits, including telephone skills	Real patients don't follow an exam case; limited time	Every few weeks, focused on one domain
Recording yourself in practice cases	You hear your own explanations, jargon and pace	Takes time to review	Once a week, one case, listen back with the toolkit
Reading cases alone	Clinical knowledge and management plans	No patient, no cues, no time pressure	Revision of NICE/CKS topics, not consultation practice
Paid courses (including the RCGP's)	Structure, examiner insight, mock cases	Cost, fixed dates	Once, mid-preparation
AI simulated patient (for example Confetto)	Unlimited timed cases at any hour; a patient with a hidden agenda; marking on the three domains	Voice only (no video face or body language); AI marking isn't the RCGP's examiners	Daily reps between human sessions, and audio-only practice

No single method covers everything. The combination closest to the exam: human role-play for realism, your trainer for expert judgment, and high-volume timed practice in between.

A 12-week SCA preparation plan

Plan written by Confetto (our suggestion, not an RCGP requirement). Adjust it with your trainer; the RCGP says to take the exam "only when ready". Week 1 is about 12 weeks before your diet.

Week	Focus	What to do	Check
1	Baseline	Do 3 timed cases from different blueprint groups. Mark them against the toolkit. Book the RCGP webinar if you're eligible.	Which domain is weakest?
2	The 12-minute shape	Practice the structure: open, cues and ICE, focused questions, summary by about 6–7 minutes, plan, safety-net. 5 timed cases.	Did you finish data gathering by 6–7 minutes?
3	Data gathering and diagnosis	Red flags and hypotheses for new presentations; using the case notes. 6 cases: undifferentiated disease, urgent care.	Any "insufficient for safe assessment" moments?
4	Clinical management	Plans that are safe, current (NICE/CKS) and patient-centered; co-morbidity; specific safety-nets with teach-back. 6 cases: long-term conditions, prescribing.	Is the plan specific and agreed?
5	Relating to others	Picking up cues, exploring and using ICE, explaining in plain words, shared decisions. 6 cases including a sensitive history.	Did the plan use what the patient told you?
6	Remote cases	Audio-only practice: cues by voice, mental state and risk assessment by conversation. 6 cases, at least 3 audio only.	Did you check identity and privacy?
7	Hard groups	Child via a parent, older adult or carer, safeguarding cues, capacity. 6 cases.	Any missed cue?
8	Results and dilemmas	Explaining results; professional conversations; requests you can't agree to. 6 cases. Watch for the device check link (RCGP pages say four or two weeks before).	Did you say no kindly and keep the relationship?
9	Full mock 1	12 cases back to back with 3 minutes' reading each, mixed groups and formats. Mark all 36 domain grades.	Which feedback statements repeat?
10	Fix the repeats	Target the 2 most repeated statements from the mock. 8 cases.	Have the repeats stopped?
11	Full mock 2	Another 12-case mock with a different mix; review with your trainer.	Ready, or move the date?
12	Exam week	Light practice (3–4 cases), set up your room, recheck equipment and the RCGP's candidate surgery guide.	Room, IT and rest done

Booking reminder: in the RCGP's 2026–27 table, final booking deadlines fall roughly 7–10 weeks before each diet. For example, for the 12–15 January 2027 diet it is 6 November 2026. Your exact session is emailed four weeks before.

Using the toolkit and feedback statements to mark your practice

After every practice case, spend three minutes on this sheet (ours, built from the RCGP's wording):

Data gathering and diagnosis

"Opens consultation and explores problem"
"Identifies cues" and "Discovers patient's ICE"
"Rules in / out a serious disease"
"Reaches a working diagnosis and/or analysis"
Used the case notes (avoids "Existing information about the case was insufficiently utilised")

Clinical management and medical complexity

"Offers a safe patient-centred management plan"
"Manages co-morbidity appropriately"
"Provides follow-up / safety net", specific and checked back

Relating to others

"Shares and uses ICE in plan"
"Shares risks / safety of options" and "Supports in decision-making"
Explanations in plain words, no jargon

Global

"Finishes data gathering by 6-7 minutes"
"Avoids repetition"

Then pick the one or two feedback statements that best describe what went wrong. Keep a tally over the weeks: the RCGP's own advice on feedback is that statements that repeat are the most useful.

One caution from the RCGP: don't overcorrect. Its feedback page warns that "over-emphasising safety-netting may be to the detriment of these consultations where it is not needed, appears formulaic or takes up too much time."

Before the exam: RCGP rules worth practicing with

No paper: "you will not be allowed to bring paper or a notepad into the examination". The platform has a note-taking function, and a blank whiteboard and pen are optional. Practice your 3-minute reading with the same kind of notes.
No BNF: "From September 2024, you will not be allowed to access the BNF during the SCA examination." Practice plans without looking things up.
Your own room: you sit in a GP surgery, usually your own; practice in that room if you can.