The sting of an unsuccessful SCA sitting is tough. But here’s the thing: passing the SCA is within reach. Meet Dr Mo Shoukri, a GP trainee who didn’t just face one setback, but two. Rather than giving up, he completely transformed his approach and, on his third attempt, walked away with a passing score. Here’s how he did it, and how his journey can guide yours.
1 Adopt a Fresh, Open Mindset
Failing twice wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to change my approach completely. I realised the SCA isn’t just about medical knowledge; it’s about mindset and understanding the patient fully.
Dr Shoukri’s experience as a consultant initially made him think he had the SCA sorted. But the SCA requires a unique, patient-centered approach that goes beyond traditional medical expertise—it’s about truly understanding the patient and actively listening to them.
Takeaway: Approach the SCA as its own challenge. Enter each case with an open, adaptable mindset, regardless of your background.
2 Identify & Address Your Weak Spots Early
After his first attempt, Mo realised he had been overlooking his weaknesses. By his third try, he was recording over 100 practice cases, gathering feedback, and genuinely working on the areas he struggled with. This made all the difference.
Takeaway: Be honest about where you need improvement, whether it’s time management, consulting style, or patient engagement. Seek objective feedback to truly make progress.
3 Follow a GP-Friendly Structure
Initially, Mo found himself constantly “chasing symptoms” without a clear approach. He refined his style with a “three buckets” model: Ideas, Concerns, and Expectations (ICE), psychosocial factors and biomedical details. This brought a patient-centered structure that gave him consistency and confidence. Consultation Blueprint helped Dr Shoukri develop a consultation framework that fits his style.
Takeaway: Use a structured approach that’s person-centric. Engage the patient, cover ICE and psychosocial factors, and dive into medical details with clarity.
4 Involve Your Patient in Decision-making
Mo’s management style was initially “my way or no way,” but he soon discovered the value of offering patients clear, well-explained options, actively involving them in the decision-making process.
Takeaway: Respect the patient’s perspective. Use plain language to explain options, and you’ll gain higher marks for collaborative care.
5 Master Your Time
Time management was another area Mo struggled with, so he made it his mission to complete history-taking within six minutes. This gave him ample time for a robust management plan. Focusing on key cues and staying on track helped him perform well under exam pressure.
Takeaway: Aim to wrap up history-taking by the six-minute mark. Time management is essential for staying in control and allowing for a well-rounded consultation.
6 Stay Calm & Confident on Exam Day
When Mo’s internet crashed on exam day, he stayed calm, solved the issue, and went on to deliver a strong performance. His calm focus was key to his success.
Takeaway: Trust in your preparation. Breathe, stay focused, and approach each case as you would in practice. You’ve put in the work, and you’re ready.
7 Consider Getting Coaching Support
If I could go back, I’d invest in coaching right from the start. Objective feedback and guidance tailored to your journey is invaluable. Don’t wait for a second or third attempt—start early, work smart, not just hard.
After two attempts, Mo realised that coaching might’ve saved him valuable time and stress. The objective feedback and guidance allowed him to break past repeated mistakes and gain new clarity in his approach.
Takeaway: Don’t wait for a third attempt to invest in objective support—it can be transformative.
Want to Feel 100% Ready for the SCA
Imagine walking into your SCA with full confidence and a clear game plan.
Why wait? Book a free strategy call today, and let’s talk about what it takes to reach your goal with confidence. Join over 200 trainees who sought help to achieve their goals.
