The 5 Most Common SCA Consultation Mistakes (From 5,817 Practice Consultations)
We analysed structured AI feedback from 5,817 completed SCA practice consultations to find the most common skill gaps. Here is what the data shows, and how to fix each one.
10 min read · Reviewed by Dr. Li Low, MRCGP
Key Takeaways
- ICE exploration was flagged for improvement in 69.7% of all practice consultations, making it the most common skill gap by a wide margin.
- Follow-up and review planning was incomplete in 49.9% of sessions.
- Red flags assessment was missed in 40.6% of consultations.
- Shared decision-making was absent or weak in 24.1% of cases.
- These patterns align with RCGP examiner observations that candidates spend too long on Data Gathering and rush Clinical Management.
What You Will Learn
- ICE exploration was flagged for improvement in 69.7% of all practice consultations, making it the most common skill gap by a wide margin.
- Follow-up and review planning was incomplete in 49.9% of sessions.
- Red flags assessment was missed in 40.6% of consultations.
- Shared decision-making was absent or weak in 24.1% of cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this data come from?
This data comes from 5,817 completed SCA practice consultations on MedTutor AI. Each consultation generates structured AI feedback that analyses performance against the three RCGP marking domains.
Are these the same mistakes people make in the real SCA exam?
We cannot directly compare practice data to exam performance, as the RCGP does not publish domain-level failure data. However, the patterns align closely with published observations from RCGP Chief Examiner Prof Rich Withnall.
How many practice consultations should I do before the SCA?
Our data shows that trainees who complete 10 or more practice consultations show meaningful improvement across all three domains. See our guide on how many practice consultations you need for more detail.
Is ICE really the most common mistake?
Yes. ICE exploration was flagged for improvement in 69.7% of all 5,817 analysed consultations, making it the most common single skill gap by a wide margin.