What is SCA
- What is MRCGP SCA?
- SCA Case Types
- SCA Marking



Complete on-demand digital study package
£197
£397
Full SCA system with teaching and real practice
£247
£447
Live SCA Role Play Course
• Master SCA technique in one focused live day
• Practise cases with expert feedback to boost your score
• Attend live or watch back until your exam
• Book alone or as part of the SCA Ultimate Package
£147
£197
Course Details:
• Enhance your SCA technique in one focused day
• Practise cases with feedback from an Arora GP tutor
• Improve time management and refine your 12 minute approach
• Attend live or watch back until your exam
• Book alone or as part of the SCA Ultimate Package
£197
£227
Course Details:
• Six case SCA mini mock in exam style conditions
• Delivered online as with the real exam
• Back to back role play with focused feedback
• Improve time management and build confidence
• Tackle challenging cases and common mistakes
• Full Mock (12 cases) also available for £357 - Contact us
• For more details and FAQs see Mock Page
Full SCA system with teaching and real practice
£247
£447
Live SCA Role Play Course
• Master SCA technique in one focused live day
• Practise cases with expert feedback to boost your score
• Attend live or watch back until your exam
• Book alone or as part of the SCA Ultimate Package
Complete on-demand digital study package
£197
£397
£147
£197
Course Details:
• Enhance your SCA technique in one focused day
• Practise cases with feedback from an Arora GP tutor
• Improve time management and refine your 12 minute approach
• Attend live or watch back until your exam
• Book alone or as part of the SCA Ultimate Package
£197
£227
Course Details:
• Six case SCA mini mock in exam style conditions
• Delivered online as with the real exam
• Back to back role play with focused feedback
• Improve time management and build confidence
• Tackle challenging cases and common mistakes
• Full Mock (12 cases) also available for £357 - Contact us
• For more details and FAQs see Mock Page
Our MRCGP SCA revision courses cover every domain tested in the exam - clinical case types, consultation skills, data interpretation and professional dilemmas - aligned with the RCGP SCA curriculum.
On demand video chapters
£147
£247
Save time with SCA audio
£127
£227
On demand video chapters
£147
£247
Save time with SCA audio
£127
£227


The SCA is the RCGP’s permanent replacement for the CSA (clinical skills assessment) and the more recent RCA (recorded consultation assessment). It is one (often the last) of the three components of the MRCGP qualification needed to complete GP training in the UK. It aims to test various aspects of General Practice through the form of live, virtual consultations. Areas tested include clinical, practical, communication and professional skills related to General Practice.
It is taken virtually through an online exam platform, from a local GP practice. There are 12 simulated, live consultations with a role-player which are assessed remotely by an assessor. Role-players are trained, calibrated and standardised. Each case is 12 minutes long, with 3 minutes reading time between cases. Cases can be video or telephone consultations. Role-players will usually be playing patients directly, however there may be cases with parents, carers or other healthcare professionals such as social workers.
Four our most comprehensive SCA resource – focusing on both knowledge and exam technique – see our SCA Ultimate Package.
We have a burning passion to help you reach your maximum potential.
Dr Aman Arora is a previous GP VTS Programme Director and GMC Examiner. The Arora team have taught over 50,000 doctors globally through a combination of live, online, and audio teaching, helping them pass exams such as MRCGP AKT, MRCGP SCA, MSRA and PLAB.
Want to learn more about MRCGP SCA?
Read our in-depth guide now!
The MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) is the clinical skills component of the MRCGP examination. It assesses GP trainees’ ability to manage 12 simulated GP consultations with trained role players. The SCA is taken as a remote online exam during ST3. Passing the SCA, alongside the AKT and WPBA, is required to achieve a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and become a GP.
The SCA consists of 12 simulated consultations conducted online. Most cases are video consultations; some are audio-only. Each consultation involves a different clinical scenario. You are assessed across three marking domains: Data Gathering, Clinical Management, and Relating to Others. The exam tests the integration of clinical knowledge, decision-making and communication – not any one skill in isolation.
Marking covers three domains: Data Gathering (history taking, examination, appropriate investigation), Clinical Management (diagnosis, management planning, prescribing, safety-netting aligned to UK best practice), and Relating to Others (patient-centred communication, empathy, handling complex or challenging scenarios). The pass mark varies between sittings and is set using standard-setting methodology. Results are typically released 4–6 weeks after each diet.
The SCA pass rate across recent diets has been around 66–71%. In February 2026, the pass rate was 70.7%. First-time candidates pass at a higher rate than re-sitters. The pass rate reflects that consultation skills require deliberate specific preparation – not just clinical knowledge. Candidates who fail most commonly struggle with Clinical Management or Relating to Others rather than Data Gathering.
The current SCA exam fee is £1,207 per sitting. The fee is not claimable from your NHS study budget, but tax relief is available via HMRC self-assessment – approximately £241 back for a basic rate taxpayer. 25% is due at booking.
Book through the MyRCGP portal. From April 2026, staged payments are compulsory. You can reserve a place up to 12 months in advance. Booking confirmation and final payment are required 7 weeks before the exam. You are allocated a session date – you cannot choose your specific day or time within a diet.
The SCA runs 9 times per year, roughly monthly. Each diet takes place over 3–4 examination days. Check the RCGP website for the current published schedule. With 9 diets per year, there is good opportunity to plan your sitting to coincide with a period of strong GP placement experience.
You are eligible to sit the SCA from ST3 onwards. You must hold active RCGP membership and have current training records on the system. There is no formal requirement to pass the AKT first, but most trainees and trainers recommend doing the AKT before the SCA.
Yes – there is no rule that requires you to pass the AKT before sitting the SCA. Both are required for the MRCGP, so you will need to pass both regardless. Most trainees sit the AKT first because the clinical knowledge revision for AKT naturally supports SCA preparation.
Trainees who entered GP Specialty Training before 2 August 2023 are allowed a maximum of 4 attempts (with a possible exceptional fifth). Trainees who entered on or after 2 August 2023 are allowed up to 6 attempts.
SCA preparation must include active roleplay practice – reading alone is insufficient. Practise full 12-minute consultations regularly, ideally with peers or a mock exam tutor who can give structured feedback. Focus on consultation structure, safety-netting, clear management planning and genuine patient-centred communication.
Key references are the RCGP Curriculum and NICE guidelines. Download the free Arora SCA planner at https://aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/free-planner.
The Arora SCA Ultimate Package combines an AI-powered case bank with over 200 cases, video teaching, audiobooks, flashcards and a live roleplay day with senior GP tutor feedback.
SCA cases are drawn from the breadth of GP practice – common presentations, long-term condition management, mental health, multimorbidity, paediatrics, women’s health, palliative care and ethical or complex communication scenarios. Some cases involve straightforward clinical management; others test your ability to handle a patient with a strong agenda, break difficult news, or manage conflicting priorities. Practising a wide variety of case types is essential.
The SCA replaced the CSA (Clinical Skills Assessment) and the interim RCA. The key difference is that the SCA is delivered entirely remotely online – there is no face-to-face examination. This means you consult with role players via video or telephone, and your consultation skills must come through on screen. Preparation should include regular practice in an online video format, not just face-to-face roleplay.
Arora offers 1-month, 3-month and 6-month access options for SCA preparation, so you can choose the length that fits your exam timeline. All access levels include the same full course content – video course, audiobooks, SCA case bank, flashcards and Arora app access. Extensions are available at any level if needed.
The SCA Ultimate Package is our most comprehensive MRCGP SCA preparation option. It includes a recorded video course, audiobook courses, SCA case bank with 200+ consultation cases, flashcards, and a live online roleplay day course with senior GP tutor feedback. All content is available via the Arora app.
The SCA Gold Package gives you the core digital materials – video course, audiobooks, case bank and flashcards – for self-paced preparation. The SCA Ultimate Package adds the live online roleplay day course. If you want structured roleplay practice and direct feedback from a senior GP tutor built in, the Ultimate Package is the better option.
The Arora SCA case bank contains 200+ consultation cases covering a wide range of GP clinical scenarios.
You can use this with a colleague as group practice, or purchase AI credits to use with self-study cases with feedback.
Yes. All Arora SCA packages include access to the Arora app on iOS and Android. You can download the audiobook course for offline revision, useful for listening during commutes or between shifts.
As early as possible in your ST3 year. SCA preparation is primarily about building and embedding consultation skills – not just acquiring knowledge. That takes time and repeated practice. Most trainees who buy late wish they had started earlier. The 1-month option supports those closer to their exam date.
At checkout, select the live course date that best suits your exam schedule. If unsure of your exam date, select ‘Attend Future Date’.
All live sessions are recorded and available to watch back until the next exam. Select the programme closest to your exam date and you will receive joining links automatically closer to the course.
Yes. Download the free Arora SCA daily planner at https://aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/free-planner. It gives you a structured day-by-day study plan mapped to the SCA Ultimate or Gold Package content.
If you have worked through the full SCA package and are unlucky on the day, Arora has a range of low-cost extension options. There is no need to re-purchase a full package
Yes. At checkout, select the PayPal option and choose ‘Pay Later’ to spread the cost. Available in certain countries.
The Arora SCA package is designed to be comprehensive – covering knowledge, consultation technique, time management and case practice. Some trainees supplement with peer roleplay practice, which we actively encourage alongside the package. The combination of Arora materials and regular peer practice is highly effective.
Arora offers 1-month, 3-month and 6-month access options for SCA preparation, so you can choose the length that fits your exam timeline. All access levels include the same full course content – video course, audiobooks, SCA case bank, flashcards and Arora app access. Extensions are available at any level if needed.
The SCA Ultimate Package is our most comprehensive MRCGP SCA preparation option. It includes a recorded video course, audiobook courses, SCA case bank with 200+ consultation cases, flashcards, and a live online roleplay day course with senior GP tutor feedback. All content is available via the Arora app.
The SCA Gold Package gives you the core digital materials – video course, audiobooks, case bank and flashcards – for self-paced preparation. The SCA Ultimate Package adds the live online roleplay day course. If you want structured roleplay practice and direct feedback from a senior GP tutor built in, the Ultimate Package is the better option.
The Arora SCA case bank contains 200+ consultation cases covering a wide range of GP clinical scenarios.
You can use this with a colleague as group practice, or purchase AI credits to use with self-study cases with feedback.
Yes. All Arora SCA packages include access to the Arora app on iOS and Android. You can download the audiobook course for offline revision, useful for listening during commutes or between shifts.
As early as possible in your ST3 year. SCA preparation is primarily about building and embedding consultation skills – not just acquiring knowledge. That takes time and repeated practice. Most trainees who buy late wish they had started earlier. The 1-month option supports those closer to their exam date.
At checkout, select the live course date that best suits your exam schedule. If unsure of your exam date, select ‘Attend Future Date’.
All live sessions are recorded and available to watch back until the next exam. Select the programme closest to your exam date and you will receive joining links automatically closer to the course.
Yes. Download the free Arora SCA daily planner at https://aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/free-planner. It gives you a structured day-by-day study plan mapped to the SCA Ultimate or Gold Package content.
If you have worked through the full SCA package and are unlucky on the day, Arora has a range of low-cost extension options. There is no need to re-purchase a full package
Yes. At checkout, select the PayPal option and choose ‘Pay Later’ to spread the cost. Available in certain countries.
The Arora SCA package is designed to be comprehensive – covering knowledge, consultation technique, time management and case practice. Some trainees supplement with peer roleplay practice, which we actively encourage alongside the package. The combination of Arora materials and regular peer practice is highly effective.
The MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) is the clinical skills component of the MRCGP examination. It assesses GP trainees’ ability to manage 12 simulated GP consultations with trained role players. The SCA is taken as a remote online exam during ST3. Passing the SCA, alongside the AKT and WPBA, is required to achieve a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and become a GP.
The SCA consists of 12 simulated consultations conducted online. Most cases are video consultations; some are audio-only. Each consultation involves a different clinical scenario. You are assessed across three marking domains: Data Gathering, Clinical Management, and Relating to Others. The exam tests the integration of clinical knowledge, decision-making and communication – not any one skill in isolation.
Marking covers three domains: Data Gathering (history taking, examination, appropriate investigation), Clinical Management (diagnosis, management planning, prescribing, safety-netting aligned to UK best practice), and Relating to Others (patient-centred communication, empathy, handling complex or challenging scenarios). The pass mark varies between sittings and is set using standard-setting methodology. Results are typically released 4–6 weeks after each diet.
The SCA pass rate across recent diets has been around 66–71%. In February 2026, the pass rate was 70.7%. First-time candidates pass at a higher rate than re-sitters. The pass rate reflects that consultation skills require deliberate specific preparation – not just clinical knowledge. Candidates who fail most commonly struggle with Clinical Management or Relating to Others rather than Data Gathering.
The current SCA exam fee is £1,207 per sitting. The fee is not claimable from your NHS study budget, but tax relief is available via HMRC self-assessment – approximately £241 back for a basic rate taxpayer. 25% is due at booking.
Book through the MyRCGP portal. From April 2026, staged payments are compulsory. You can reserve a place up to 12 months in advance. Booking confirmation and final payment are required 7 weeks before the exam. You are allocated a session date – you cannot choose your specific day or time within a diet.
The SCA runs 9 times per year, roughly monthly. Each diet takes place over 3–4 examination days. Check the RCGP website for the current published schedule. With 9 diets per year, there is good opportunity to plan your sitting to coincide with a period of strong GP placement experience.
You are eligible to sit the SCA from ST3 onwards. You must hold active RCGP membership and have current training records on the system. There is no formal requirement to pass the AKT first, but most trainees and trainers recommend doing the AKT before the SCA.
Yes – there is no rule that requires you to pass the AKT before sitting the SCA. Both are required for the MRCGP, so you will need to pass both regardless. Most trainees sit the AKT first because the clinical knowledge revision for AKT naturally supports SCA preparation.
Trainees who entered GP Specialty Training before 2 August 2023 are allowed a maximum of 4 attempts (with a possible exceptional fifth). Trainees who entered on or after 2 August 2023 are allowed up to 6 attempts.
SCA preparation must include active roleplay practice – reading alone is insufficient. Practise full 12-minute consultations regularly, ideally with peers or a mock exam tutor who can give structured feedback. Focus on consultation structure, safety-netting, clear management planning and genuine patient-centred communication.
Key references are the RCGP Curriculum and NICE guidelines. Download the free Arora SCA planner at https://aroramedicaleducation.co.uk/free-planner.
The Arora SCA Ultimate Package combines an AI-powered case bank with over 200 cases, video teaching, audiobooks, flashcards and a live roleplay day with senior GP tutor feedback.
SCA cases are drawn from the breadth of GP practice – common presentations, long-term condition management, mental health, multimorbidity, paediatrics, women’s health, palliative care and ethical or complex communication scenarios. Some cases involve straightforward clinical management; others test your ability to handle a patient with a strong agenda, break difficult news, or manage conflicting priorities. Practising a wide variety of case types is essential.
The SCA replaced the CSA (Clinical Skills Assessment) and the interim RCA. The key difference is that the SCA is delivered entirely remotely online – there is no face-to-face examination. This means you consult with role players via video or telephone, and your consultation skills must come through on screen. Preparation should include regular practice in an online video format, not just face-to-face roleplay.