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How the SCA is timedSCA exam timer
Practise for the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment with a timer that runs like exam day: 3 minutes of reading, a 12-minute consultation, and all 12 cases with the break when you want a full sitting.
How the SCA is timed
Each of the 12 stations lasts 15 minutes: 3 minutes to read the case, then a 12-minute video or telephone consultation. The exam platform moves you on automatically, with a 15-second gap between stations.
- 12cases, in two halves of six
- 3 minreading time per case
- 12 minper consultation
Pacing a 12-minute consultation
A common way to use the 12 minutes, and the split the timer’s pacing guide marks for you:
- 0 to 5 min
Data gathering
Open well, explore the problem and the patient’s ideas, concerns and expectations, and take the history you need.
- 5 to 10 min
Management
Explain your assessment, then agree a plan with the patient, sharing the decisions.
- 10 to 12 min
Close
Check understanding, safety-net clearly and arrange follow-up.
This is a practice guide, not an RCGP rule: some cases need longer on one part. Examiners mark each case on three domains: data gathering and diagnosis, clinical management and medical complexity, and relating to others. How the SCA is marked
Reasonable adjustments
If the RCGP has approved reasonable adjustments for you, set the timer to match in Customise:
- Extra reading time: 25% longer, so 3 minutes 45 seconds per case.
- Extra rest breaks: 10 minutes after case 3, 10 minutes after case 6 and 20 minutes after case 9.
- Extra consultation time: set the consultation length to the time in your RCGP email.
The RCGP emails your exact timings about three weeks before your sitting. RCGP guidance on reasonable adjustments