💡 How can I reduce the risk of me making a mistake in my exams.

James Reason’s “Three Buckets” is a model that uses three categories (🪣self, 🪣context, 🪣task) to assess the risk of us making mistakes. We can use the model to recognise the potential causes of mistakes in the SCA exam. In the 3 buckets model the more items in your bucket the higher the risk of an error. So, to be ready for the exam we need to empty our buckets.

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Self Bucket 🪣

This bucket reflects internal, personal factors that impair performance.

Cognitive factors
• Limited familiarity with SCA case patterns and common exam presentations.
• Poor knowledge of red flags, safety-netting frameworks, or management guidelines.
• Cognitive overload due to trying to remember consultation ‘scripts’ rather than using adaptable consultation structures.

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Emotional factors
• High test anxiety or anticipatory stress.
• Low confidence in managing uncertainty or professional conversations.
• Poor listening, high eagerness to talk, tendency to rush.

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Physiological factors
• Fatigue from insufficient rest or intensive revision.
• Poor nutrition, hydration, or general physical preparation.

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Behavioural/skills factors
• Inconsistent consultation structure (e.g., ICE not elicited early, management plans unstructured).
• Difficulty with signposting, summarising, or transitioning through consultation stages.
• Ineffective time management within 12-minute consultations.

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Strategies to “Empty” the Self Bucket

• Rehearse consultations with Clinitalk under timed, exam-like conditions. Regular practice will help improve your fluency and confidence, which will help reduce anxiety and improve performance.

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• Read your Clinitalk feedback regularly to identify and address gaps in your knowledge.

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• Use your stats to reflect on your progress making sure you are on track considering your topic coverage and traffic light feedback.

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• Use structured consultation models to improve your time management until they become automatic and review the structure of your consultation using the Clinitalk structure visuals.

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• Develop a routine that balances work, revision and health including regular exercise and rest.

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