How Many SCA Practice Consultations Do You Actually Need?
We tracked the practice patterns of 429 trainees who completed 6,671 voice-based SCA consultations. Here is what the data says about how much practice you actually need.
8 min read · Reviewed by Dr. Li Low, MRCGP
Key Takeaways
- 36.4% of trainees complete only one practice consultation before stopping.
- Trainees who stay active for a month average 18.7 sessions. Those active for 3+ months average 43.8.
- There is a critical threshold around 5 sessions: trainees who pass it tend to continue practising consistently.
- Feedback-seeking increases with experience: 24.8% request expert review on their first consultation, rising to 35.8% on later ones.
What You Will Learn
- 36.4% of trainees complete only one practice consultation before stopping.
- Trainees who stay active for a month average 18.7 sessions. Those active for 3+ months average 43.8.
- There is a critical threshold around 5 sessions: trainees who pass it tend to continue practising consistently.
- Feedback-seeking increases with experience: 24.8% request expert review on their first consultation, rising to 35.8% on later ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many practice consultations do most trainees do?
Our data shows the median trainee completes around 5 to 6 sessions. However, 36.4% stop after just one. The trainees who engage most deeply (active for 3+ months) average 43.8 sessions.
Is one practice session enough?
No. A single session does not give you enough repetition to identify patterns in your consultation style. Our data shows that feedback-seeking increases after the first session, suggesting trainees become more aware of their gaps with repetition.
When should I start practising for the SCA?
Most trainees benefit from starting 8 to 12 weeks before their exam date. This gives you time to build from 2 to 3 sessions per week to daily sessions in the final fortnight.
Should I practise the same case multiple times?
Yes, especially for cases where you scored poorly. Repeating a case after reviewing your feedback lets you apply what you learned.