Are you a GP trainee struggling with the SCA exam or feeling anxious? Dr Joe is living proof that passing the SCA is possible, even if you’ve failed before.
Anxiety Surrounding SCA Exam
Joe describes his exam anxiety as “quite bad.” So bad, in fact, that during his first SCA attempt, the fear “took me over.”
Waiting for his results was torture. He paced the room, unsure if he’d made the cut. When he did fail, the thought of sitting the exam again felt “a lot more anxiety-inducing.” The pressure wasn’t just about the exam itself; it was about proving he could finally call himself a fully qualified GP.
He shares, “I was never a good person at passing exams.” For Joe, the anxiety was like a mountain he had to climb every single time he faced an assessment.
Adapting to a New Style of Consultation
Joe’s background was as a medical registrar, where consultations lasted up to 45 minutes and the goal was to know everything about a case. But the SCA and GP practice demanded something very different: concise, safe consultations in 12-15 minutes.
It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing enough to get the consultation safely.
This was a difficult mindset shift. His medical knowledge gave him confidence but it also meant he focused on the wrong things, like missing what mattered in a GP consultation. In his first exam attempt, Joe found himself stuck thinking about the next question, rather than connecting with the patient.
Plus, the exam’s format sitting, in front of a computer, not a real patient, felt unnatural. Joe also struggled with time management, often spending too long on data gathering, and wasn’t taking ownership of management decisions.
To make matters tougher, his workplace treated him more like a salaried GP than a trainee, which dented his confidence further.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
After his first attempt, Joe realised he couldn’t just push harder or cram more knowledge. He needed to change his approach.
He started to embrace uncertainty. He got comfortable knowing that not every consultation would be perfect and that was okay. Instead of chasing a “perfect consultation,” he focused on being authentic “just be yourself on a good day,” he says.
Joe adopted a mindset of improving by small increments, aiming to get just 1 or 2 percent better each day. This made the challenge less overwhelming and more manageable.
He built rituals into his routine, like short breathing breaks during surgery and before exam stations. These habits helped calm his nerves and sharpen his focus.
Importantly, Joe also sought expert guidance and support. He took medication for anxiety after consulting his GP, leaned on encouragement from his wife and mentor and tracked positive feedback from patients to boost his confidence.
Proven Strategies
Joe also changed how he consulted:
- Focused consultation to fit the 12-minute limit
- Structured data gathering into open questions, ICE, biomedical and psychosocial impact
- Practised with a timer to finish data gathering by 6 minutes
- Began planning his management during data gathering
- Changed his management presentation: summarising the case, explaining diagnosis clearly, then confidently offering the best plan first, followed by patient preferences
- Personalised management plan by considering patients’ work, family and social context
- Focused on active listening and picking up patient cues
By reviewing video recordings and practising consistently, Joe’s consultations began to feel more natural and aligned with what examiners were looking for.
Passing the SCA Exam and Beyond
When Joe took the SCA exam the second time, the difference was clear. Anxiety was still there but manageable. He treated the exam cases like real patients. He trusted himself.
Something clicked
Joe passed the SCA. But more than that, he became a confident GP, ready to pursue his passions beyond the surgery, including charity work, finance and property investment.
Key Learning Points
If you’re struggling with anxiety, doubting your abilities or facing exam failure, Joe’s story shows that:
- You can learn to manage anxiety and build confidence
- Mindset shifts are crucial to be successful
- Small, steady improvements add up over time
- Authenticity and ownership go a long way in consultations
- Support and preparation tailored to you make all the difference
Most importantly, failing SCA once (or more) doesn’t define you or your future.
Ready to get 1:1 support and pass SCA?
If Joe’s story resonates with you, know that support is out there and with the right guidance and mindset, you can also find that moment where everything clicks.
If you’re ready to unlock your career, we can help.
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