Discover a New World of Learning at Pinnacle Medical Education
Build confidence
while refining and acquiring
the critical skills required to succeed in the MRCGP SCA examination.
About Pinnacle Medical Education (PME)
Our Mission
We offer the highest standard of personalised, one-to-one tutoring, meticulously tailored to ensure success in the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) examination.
Our Tutoring Courses
We provide a range of tailored tutoring courses designed to closely replicate the conditions of the MRCGP Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA). Each session is conducted on a one-to-one basis by an experienced General Practitioner with extensive expertise in preparing GP trainees for success in the MRCGP examination.
Our Director and Founder
Dr Alan Bardell, Founder and Director of Pinnacle Medical Education, obtained his undergraduate medical degree from the University of Birmingham in 2010. He subsequently completed the South Worcestershire Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) in General Practice in 2015, graduating with distinction.
Thereafter, Dr Bardell embarked on a diverse and dynamic medical career, integrating clinical practice with a strong commitment to medical education. He has been extensively involved in the training and mentorship of GP trainees, offering guidance in the development of their consulting skills and playing a pivotal role in preparing them for successful completion of the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) examination.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr Bardell serves as a Clinical Supervisor for GP trainees undertaking their Community Hospital rotations as part of the VTS programme.
In 2023, he further advanced his educational portfolio by being appointed Primary Care Tutor in General Practice in collaboration with the Three Counties Medical School in Worcester. In this role, he provides teaching to undergraduate medical students within Primary Care environments. Dr Bardell places particular emphasis on the early cultivation of effective communication skills, which he regards as fundamental to both delivering optimal patient care and achieving academic and professional success.
Presented below is a selection of feedback from trainees who have received teaching and mentorship from Dr Bardell.
"Dr Bardell has been an amazing primary care tutor, he goes above and beyond for his students and honestly it feels like a privilege to be able to learn from him."
Trainee
"Excellent clinical knowledge. He [Dr Bardell] provided me with brilliant teaching. I’ve learnt such a lot from him and the tips he has taught me will be things I will use throughout my clinical career."
Trainee
"More importantly, he [Dr Bardell] is always so approachable and friendly. He has such a warm nature and makes teaching sessions so enjoyable and absorbing. By the end of our sessions, I feel I’ve had learned so much and feel very lucky to have a tutor like him. "
Trainee
"He [Dr Bardell] only further cements my ambitions to work in primary care as a GP and if I become just half the doctor and person he is, I know I would have done very well. "
Trainee
"we are all so happy how receptive he [Dr Bardell] is to us and provides such constructive feedback to us too. His feedback is never generic, it is always tailored to us and it is clear he goes the extra mile for his students and I reiterate it is a privledge to be learning Medicine from him. "
Trainee
"Dear Alan, I am just emailing to thank you for all the help and support you provided. It was invaluable"
Trainee
"Right from the start, you guided me on how best to direct my learning as well as explore my areas of weakness in order to strive to improve in those areas."
Trainee
"You are an excellent Clinical supervisor, an excellent doctor as well as an excellent human being."
Trainee
Hello
Unlock Your Potential with Pinnacle Medical Education
One-to-one specific coaching for the MRCGP SCA exam, with great focus on communication skills.
Explanation of medical complexity to patients
How to deal with angry patients
How to deal with malingering behaviour
Breaking Bad News
How to still pass a case even if you are not sure of the diagnosis or management plan
And many more
The SIMULATED CONSULTATION ASSESSMENT (SCA)
Empower Yourself with Pinnacle Medical Education
The SCA is Primarily a COMMUNICATION skills examination
Cost currently is £1180
12 simulated clinical scenarios, conducted remotely from your own GP practice
For trainees who entered training before 1st August 2023, a maximum of five attempts are allowed for the SCA. In exceptional circumstances, a sixth attempt may be allowed. Six attempts at the SCA are allowed for trainees who entered training after this date.
Succeed at your first attempt! Prepare as best you can!
If you have failed already... well don’t worry you have now discovered PME
Other courses
Other MRCGP SCA courses tend to offer generic advice, not tailored to the individual needs of the candidate. Individual coaching, when offered is frequently cost-prohibitive or provided by practitioners with limited qualifications (often not doctors or even medically trained). PME offers the best in terms of quality and affordability.
The SCA is the permanent replacement to the RCA and CSA
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
International Medical Graduates
44.1% Pass (55.9% failure)
UK Graduates
89.6% Success (10.4% failure)
RCA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
International Medical Graduates
49.6% Pass (50.4% failure)
UK Graduates
91.6% Pass (8.4% failure)
Our Programmes
CSA Pass Rate -First Attempt (Since 2014)
Our Programmes
GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE TO SUCCEED - PINNACLE MEDICAL EDUCATION OFFERS THE BEST VALUE ONE-TO-ONE TAILORED MRCGP SCA TEACHING CURRENTLY OUT THERE. DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.