Are you preparing for the MRCGP SCA or worse, preparing again after failing ? You know that feeling. That hollow, gut-wrenching doubt.
You’ve studied. You’ve practised. You’ve tried your best.
And still… the result comes back: Fail
It’s disheartening!
You start to ask:
- “Am I even good enough to be a GP?”
- “What if I never pass?”
- “I can’t go through this again.”
If that’s you, read on.
Because this story might be exactly what you need to hear.
I shed tears. It was really a gruelling and torturing journey but all in all I’m happy I can look back and smile.
Meet Dr Donald Onuoha
He was in your shoes not too long ago, struggling to pass the SCA.
He failed his RCA once and SCA three times.
For the second SCA, his supervisor gave all the push she can, even practised on the exam day. He was told “You have a chance to pass this exam,” based on what he did just before the exam. When the result came out it was three marks short it was so painful.
Each time, just a few marks off.
The fourth time? He failed again.
But this time, something changed.
The Turning Point
Donald was already doing everything you’d expect:
- Daily practice
- Reading guidelines
- Practising cases and seeking feedback
But none of it was moving the needle. That’s when he realised:
It’s not just about knowledge. It’s about the psychology of the consultation.
Once Donald stopped trying to pass the SCA the way everyone told him to, things began to click.
He built a system that worked for him:
✅ He got personalised feedback — not just vague feedback or praise but honest constructive feedback
✅ He practised like it was the real exam — every single day
✅ He learned to navigate each case with clarity, compassion and confidence
He stopped focusing on ticking boxes and started focusing on connecting with his patients.
Here’s a few practical changes he made:
1. Deep Listening
He stopped jumping to the next question.
He listened to the patient — not just the words but the emotions underneath.
2. Giftwrapping Management
He didn’t just offer “safe” plans.
He offered plans that made patients feel understood and involved.
3. Letting Go of the Last Case
He stopped dragging stress from one case to the next.
He learned to reset between scenarios, to stay present.
And maybe most importantly, a shift in mindset changed everything.
I had to forget about everything negative, no matter who it came from and use it as a stepping stone to pass.
The Day He Passed SCA
On his fifth attempt, Donald passed.
Not by scraping through.
He passed with confidence.
It wasn’t just relief — it was redemption.
He had walked through the fire and come out stronger, on the other side.
Are You Struggling Right Now…
You are not alone.
You are not a failure.
And you’re not finished.
Dr Donald’s story is living proof that this exam is passable even after multiple failures.
But it takes more than just hard work.
It takes the right mindset, the right strategy, and the right support.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to work smart.
And you have to believe again.
Want Support With Your Exam?
Here’s what Donald says made the biggest difference:
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start making real progress, we can help.
✅ 1:1 feedback
✅ Real-time practice
✅ Mindset coaching
✅ A supportive community that gets it