3:00
12-minute consultation next
Ends
Single case
Space start or pauseR resetN skipF focusM mute
How the SCA is timedFree · No sign-up · Works on any device
SCA exam timer
Practise for the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment with a timer that runs like exam day: 3 minutes of reading, a 12-minute consultation, and all 12 cases with the break when you want a full sitting.
How the SCA is timed
Each of the 12 stations lasts 15 minutes: 3 minutes to read the case, then a 12-minute video or telephone consultation. The exam platform moves you on automatically, with a 15-second gap between stations.
- 12cases, in two halves of six
- 3 minreading time per case
- 12 minper consultation
Pacing a 12-minute consultation
A common way to use the 12 minutes, and the split the timer’s pacing guide marks for you:
- 0 to 5 min
Data gathering
Open well, explore the problem and the patient’s ideas, concerns and expectations, and take the history you need.
- 5 to 10 min
Management
Explain your assessment, then agree a plan with the patient, sharing the decisions.
- 10 to 12 min
Close
Check understanding, safety-net clearly and arrange follow-up.
This is a practice guide, not an RCGP rule: some cases need longer on one part. Examiners mark each case on three domains: data gathering and diagnosis, clinical management and medical complexity, and relating to others. How the SCA is marked
Everything a practice timer should do
Choose a mode at the top of the page, press Start, and the timer handles the rest.
Single case
Three minutes of reading, then a 12-minute consultation. The default, for practising one case at a time.
Full exam
All 12 cases with the 10-minute break and the 15-second gaps between stations, for a full mock sitting.
Consultation only
A straight 12 minutes for role play with a colleague, or to time a consultation in clinic.
Focus mode
The whole screen changes colour with each phase, with numbers big enough to read from across the room.
Alerts that keep time
A chime for each phase, a warning before the end and a 5-second countdown, on time even in a background tab.
Made to fit you
Change timings, cases, sounds and alerts, or match your reasonable adjustments. Settings stay on your device.
Keyboard shortcuts: Space to start or pause, R to reset, N to skip to the next phase, F for focus mode and M to mute.
Reasonable adjustments
If the RCGP has approved reasonable adjustments for you, set the timer to match in Customise:
- Extra reading time: 25% longer, so 3 minutes 45 seconds per case.
- Extra rest breaks: 10 minutes after case 3, 10 minutes after case 6 and 20 minutes after case 9.
- Extra consultation time: set the consultation length to the time in your RCGP email.
The RCGP emails your exact timings about three weeks before your sitting. RCGP guidance on reasonable adjustments