Here is the complete breakdown of what happens on exam day:
- 12 simulated consultations in a single session lasting approximately 3 hours
- 12 minutes per consultation + 3 minutes reading time between each case
- Conducted remotely via the Osler examination platform from a GP surgery (usually your own)
- Most cases are video consultations; some are audio-only (telephone)
- Role-players are professional actors - trained, calibrated, and standardised
- Cases may involve patients directly, or carers, parents, relatives, or other healthcare professionals
- No physical examination is required
- The exam is recorded and marked by examiners afterwards (one different examiner per case)
- You cannot bring notes or electronic devices into the consultation room
- The BNF is no longer available during the exam - you must know your prescribing
⚠ COMMON PITFALL: The BNF was previously accessible during the SCA but this has been removed. You need to know key drug names, doses, contraindications, and monitoring for common conditions from memory.
Eligibility: ST3 year onwards. 9 sittings per year (every month except July, August, and December). You can reserve your place up to 12 months in advance. Fee: £1,207 (from August 2025). Discuss timing with your educational supervisor - take the exam only when ready.