How I scored 100.5 in My MRCGP SCA Exam (after failing first time) – Dr Irbaz Khan
If you are a GP trainee preparing for your MRCGP SCA exam, this blog is a must to help you pass. We are lucky to have Dr Irbaz Khan – a GPST3 who passed his SCA exam at the second attempt – share his own experience and journey to SCA success.
– Join National SCA WhatsApp Teaching Group here
– Get SCA Updates and Teaching Emails here
– Register for next Free SCA Webinar here
– Pass with SCA Ultimate Package here
Introduction
My personal journey to passing the RCGP exams began a few years ago when I signed up for the Arora AKT Ultimate Package.
After a resounding success in the AKT, it was a no brainer for me to get the Arora SCA Ultimate Package as well! Unfortunately after obtaining the package mid year and aiming to sit the SCA in November, due to health issues I was unable to engage with it as much and sat the first exam in March instead. In hindsight I went in a little underprepared, and – a confession Aman – I did not use the resources much as by the time I recovered fully and back to work, I only had 6 weeks left until the exam!
To find out more about what the SCA exam is (and how to prepare in general), read our dedicated blog here.
After Failing SCA
On the day I got the result I discussed it with Aman and he said to not worry, just relax and take some time off as I was away on holiday – and that we could discuss it fully when I got back. At that point I felt that someone had got my back – and I made it a point to change my strategy completely.
I changed my mindset from just thinking about passing the exam, to how can I genuinely be a family medicine consultant (as per the new RCGP definition of a General Practitioner). I was honest with myself and thought, do I believe I was a consultant? The answer was No.
The initial failure, whilst disheartening, did help me become more motivated to make positive changes over time. I did use a few different resources for this exam but my focus here is how the Arora material helped push me through.
My Journey to SCA Pass
In medical education, there is clear evidence of how using spacing and repetition can help to build neural networks in the brain, helping us to remember – but also allowing us to actively retrieve information even under pressure. It is clear that Aman uses that evidence to help us learn.
For instance, the videos, audios, case material and flashcards (yes there are loads!) help us with the repetitive learning process. They really helped me to hone key points – for example red flags or management guidelines. The one-to-one feedback is like a culmination point of all the information learned to try to apply the knowledge in a controlled setting. I felt that this generated enough pressure and stress to see if we can actively retrieve what we have learned and test our limits.
I must say, I did not want to take any chances as this was a resit, and second time I used other resources including seeking active feedback from my supervisors – but the main way to practice for the exam is to have good colleagues, who can do regular cases with you. This is where the Arora online case bank really helped – it consistently reinforced key red flag lists and the (now famous!) 3 Arora bubbles – so that under pressure the ‘issues on the table’ approach could help set the tone for the management.
Additional Tactics
Just like with AKT preparation, success in SCA is also about having the correct mindset. Personally I found driving down to the beach to just sit, relax and be at peace really helped me focus. I found a couple of cafés where I could sit to do my theory revision (and I lived on a lot of Matcha lattes – which I looked forward to have by my side when revising!)
I always tried to find ways to make revision a little more enjoyable and worthwhile by tricking my brain. There were days I just could not bring myself to sit down and do some work and this is where the audiobooks really came in handy – I could just offload my other senses and simply listen.
Overall I cannot stress enough how much the case bank, audiobooks and live course feedback helped me find my confidence again and improve my knowledge base for the exam. It is such a simply presented method, but has a lot of impact. The live tutors were absolutely amazing and provided feedback that really helped me pick up my blind spots.
In summary, to pass SCA…
– I changed my mindset from ‘just passing’ to being the best GP I can be for my patients – truly a consultant in General Practice.
– I found multiple ways to help me learn and update my knowledge base, helping me to remember the formulaic parts of the consultation without much effort such as the red flags.
– I used multiple resources and relied heavily on the 200 Arora case banks to practice with my colleagues.
– I used the audiobooks to keep moving me forward even on days I did not have the energy to do so.
– I used the feedback from supervisors, mentors and live tutors to ensure my INTERPERSONAL skills became better than ever before (it is not just being nice).
How it helps me as a GP
To be honest this comment from a patient – even more than my exam results – made me feel that this was all worthwhile – and why I pushed my limits so much in preparing…
“He was able to help me think about my medical history and my present symptoms. I was able to understand the possible causes of my discomfort and pain etc and his explanation of how further investigations would proceed. I have been reluctant to seek help and advice but I am pleased to have met and talked with the doctor.”
This is why we do what we do and this is who we are. We are General Practitioners. We are consultants in General practice and no one else can do what we do. Lets own this and move beyond just exams, and use all what we have at our disposal to do it.
I am Irbaz Khan and I wish you the best in your journey to be the best versions of yourself.
How Arora Medical Education Can Support You
Clear Teaching Built for Busy Trainees.
If you want a guided path, our SCA resources help you build confidence at each step. Everything is created by senior UK doctors with experience in the exam and in teaching.
You can choose:
– SCA Ultimate – a full SCA preparation system with case banks, videos, audios, live teaching, and flashcards.
– A live SCA role-play course held a few weeks before each sitting.
– Individual resources such as audios, videos, case banks or mocks.
Each option follows a clear plan that helps you stay organised and focused. Explore these more here.
Also:
– Join National SCA WhatsApp Teaching Group here
– Get SCA Updates and Teaching Emails here.
– Register for next Free SCA Webinar here
Other blog that may help you
Author Bio — Dr Aman Arora
Hi! I’m Dr. Aman Arora, a Portfolio GP with over a decade of clinical and teaching experience, dedicated to helping doctors achieve their goals with confidence. Having had the privilege of supporting more than 50,000 doctors worldwide across exams such as MRCGP AKT, SCA, MSRA, PLAB 2 and PLAB 1, I understand the challenges you face and the strategies needed to overcome them. Through personalised face-to-face sessions, engaging online courses, mocks, audio and a vibrant social media community, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re looking to pass crucial exams or take the next big step in your medical career, we’re here to help you succeed. Feel free to get in touch with any thoughts, questions, or ideas — I look forward to working with you and being part of your journey.
Author Bio — Dr Pooja Arora
Dr Pooja Arora is a GP with a background in Medical Politics, where she passionately focuses on improving the opportunities and working conditions for junior doctors. She is proud to hold FRCGP (Fellow of Royal College of General Practitioners).
You can find out more about Pooja’s previous roles and qualifications here.
Other blogs that may interest you
