MOCKS: AKT vs. SCA MINDSET.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MOCKS.

Take it from someone who has sat on all sides of the table— patient role-play volunteer, candidate, facilitator, and tutor — there’s a common misconception about how to effectively use SCA mocks for preparation. Some doctors attend SCA mocks with an AKT mindset, expecting examiners to simply validate them as “ready to pass.” That’s not how it works. Let’s break it down.

UNDERSTANDING THE RCGP EXAMS.

As part of the MRCGP (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners) qualification in the UK, GP trainees are required to complete two key assessments: the AKT and the SCA.

The Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) is a computer-based exam that assesses your clinical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and organisational skills relevant to UK general practice. It focuses on factual recall, application of knowledge, and the ability to interpret data—making it essential to have a strong grasp of guidelines and clinical reasoning.

The Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA), on the other hand, evaluates how you apply that knowledge in real-time consultations. It tests your ability to communicate effectively, manage clinical uncertainty, and demonstrate safe, patient-centred decision-making in a 12-case simulated exam format.

Both exams are challenging in different ways, and each requires a tailored approach to preparation. While the AKT rewards structured revision and practice questions, the SCA demands refined consultation skills, adaptability, and the ability to integrate feedback into practice.

AKT vs. SCA: THE ROLE OF MOCKS.

For the AKT, mock exams are a fantastic way to:

Sharpen your clinical knowledge
Test your recall
Check your readiness

This work particularly well for the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and if a doctor happens to be struggling, they may get by if good at cramming or memorising high-yield facts (though not the best approach!).

However, the SCA is an entirely different kind of assessment. Memorisation and robotic, rehearsed consultations simply won’t cut it. The SCA assesses your ability to think, adapt, and consult in a natural, patient-centred way.

SCA mocks are not designed to "tell you you're ready" in the same way AKT mocks might. Instead, they help you:

Identify weaker communication and consultation areas.
Spot bad habits you've built over time (often throughout years of medical practice, and 3 years of GP training)
Learn how to unlearn and rebuild effective communication and clinical reasoning skills.

If you’re booking your FIRST SCA mocks just 2–4 weeks before your actual exam, be aware—it may be too late to unpick long-standing habits and truly use your mock feedback to improve your performance. Many doctors fall into the trap of treating mocks as a final checklist item, expecting reassurance or a quick confidence boost. But the SCA is not an exam you can cram for. The way you consult is often shaped by years of practice, and while some habits may have served you well in day-to-day clinical work, they might not align with what the SCA examiners are looking for—such as clarity, structure, shared decision-making, and patient-centred care.

Attempting to overhaul your consultation style just weeks before the exam can feel overwhelming and may not leave enough time for genuine change. Worse still, any feedback received during these last-minute mocks may be difficult to implement meaningfully under time pressure. For sustainable improvement, you need time—not just to receive feedback, but to apply it, practise deliberately, and allow new techniques to become second nature in your consultation. That’s why strategic, early engagement with mocks (and courses!) —combined with small group practice and guided teaching — is key. This gives you the space to grow, adjust, and fine-tune your approach so that by the time exam day arrives, you’re not just “going through the motions,” but consulting with confidence and clarity.

A BETTER APPROACH TO SCA PREPARATION.

Here’s what I recommend for a more effective strategy:

Start with an SCA introduction webinar; you can find Elite Exams introductory video or attend an RCGP SCA introductory webinar.
Attend practical, interactive SCA lectures; The SCA exam needs active engagement, not passive talks—find courses with realistic teaching where you practise live skills.
Form a small study group of 3–4 people max, ideally with the same exam month, so you’re aligned in timing and intensity.
Book mocks strategically; Use them not just to “test” yourself, but to learn and get constructive feedback.
Apply the feedback to your practice; Refine your consultation style, polish your clinical reasoning, and repeat the mock cycle.

Then—and only then—go into your SCA exam with confidence and the right tactics.

MOCK AS AN EXAM STRATEGY

Another key issue we see time and again is the lack of a structured exam strategy. Many doctors underestimate how crucial it is to plan their preparation in advance. Without a clear roadmap, it's easy to waste time on passive learning, build poor consultation habits, and overlook critical areas needing improvement. For exams like the SCA — where subjective global skills, communication style, adaptability, and clinical reasoning are under the microscope — last-minute preparation or sporadic practice simply isn’t enough. When there’s no strategy, feedback is often poorly utilised, leading to missed opportunities for professional development and growth. Even worse, this reactive approach can increase stress, reduce confidence, and leave you feeling overwhelmed as the exam date approaches. Success doesn’t happen by accident— prepare for it with purpose.

FINAL THOUGHTS.

The SCA is subjective, high-stakes, and influenced by many variables. A skilled tutor knows how to guide you through these nuances. Start early. Plan wisely. Use your resources intentionally.