After each exam cycle, once results have been released, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) publishes a public exam report outlining key information about the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE).  

These reports include: 

Exam psychometrics and banding – statistical measures describing the reliability and overall performance of the exam, including pass rates and the distribution of candidate results relative to the pass mark. 

Assessment criteria covered within that CCE – a breakdown of the competency areas assessed in the exam and the proportion of assessment criteria allocated to each area. 

Preparation information for the CCE – guidance from the RACGP on how candidates can prepare for the exam, including recommended approaches to practice and exam technique. 

Overview of selected cases – summaries of exam cases with commentary on how candidates demonstrated competency and common pitfalls observed during those stations. 

Reviewing past exam reports is an important, but often overlooked, part of Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) preparation. These reports provide insight into the breadth of cases that may be assessed and highlight common pitfalls observed in previous exam cycles. 

 You can access past exam reports here on the RACGP website. According to recent CEE public exam reports, the top mistakes made in the last few Clinical Competency Exams have included: 

  • Scattergun approaches instead of structured problem-solving 
  • Making assumptions about patients instead of understanding their context 
  • Failing to demonstrate a patient-centred, empathic consultation 

Being unprepared for the technical aspects of the online exam 

1.     Using formulaic responses rather than responding to the case

One of the most frequently noted issues in the RACGP exam reports is candidates giving formulaic or rehearsed responses rather than demonstrating genuine clinical reasoning. 

In the CCE, examiners are assessing how you think through a clinical problem, not whether you can recite a memorised checklist. When responses sound scripted or generic, it can suggest that the candidate has not fully engaged with the specifics of the case. 

Strong candidates tailor their approach to the individual patient scenario, linking their history, examination, differential diagnosis and management plan in a logical and coherent way. 

The key is to demonstrate why you are asking particular questions or choosing specific investigations, rather than simply listing possibilities. 

2.     Taking a scattergun approach instead of a structured clinical approach  

Another common issue highlighted in the exam reports is the use of a scattergun approach. 

This occurs when candidates list multiple investigations, diagnoses or management options without clearly demonstrating how they arrived at those decisions. 

Examiners expect candidates to show a structured clinical approach that reflects real-world general practice. This means: 

  • Gathering relevant clinical information 
  • Formulating a logical differential diagnosis 
  • Selecting targeted investigations 
  • Developing a management plan that follows from your reasoning 

A systematic approach to the case helps demonstrate your clinical thinking and ensures you address important diagnoses while avoiding unnecessary or unfocused suggestions. 

3.     Making assumptions about patients instead of exploring their context

The RACGP reports repeatedly emphasise the importance of understanding the individual patient’s context. 

Candidates sometimes make assumptions about a patient’s circumstances, beliefs or behaviours without first exploring these issues during the consultation. This may involve stereotyping based on culture, age, gender or social background. 

Competent candidates demonstrate a non-judgemental, patient-centred approach and avoid making assumptions. Instead, they ask open questions and explore the patient’s situation before drawing conclusions. 

Taking the time to understand the patient’s perspective is an important part of safe and effective general practice, and it is something examiners look for during the CCE. 

4.     Failing to demonstrate a patient-centred consultation 

Successful candidates consistently demonstrate an empathetic and patient-centred approach to the consultation. 

This includes: 

  • Acknowledging patient concerns 
  • Showing empathy 
  • Communicating clearly and respectfully 
  • Considering the patient’s circumstances when discussing management options 

The exam reports highlight that candidates who fail to demonstrate these behaviours may appear overly task-focused or overly technical, which can affect their overall performance in the station. 

Remember that the CCE is designed to assess how you practise as a GP, not just your medical knowledge. Communication, professionalism and patient-centred care are therefore essential components of a strong performance. 

5. Limited familiarity with some clinical presentations

Another issue occasionally identified by examiners is that some candidates appear less familiar with particular clinical presentations. 

When this happens, candidates may default to formulaic responses or struggle to demonstrate a clear clinical approach. The reports encourage candidates to reflect on areas of practice where their experience may be limited and address these gaps during exam preparation. 

Preparing broadly across common general practice presentations and practising clinical reasoning in a range of scenarios can help build confidence and flexibility during the exam. 

Final thoughts 

The CCE is designed to assess how candidates integrate their applied knowledge and clinical reasoning across a range of clinical scenarios by demonstrating their clinical skills, communication abilities and professional judgement. 

Successful candidates approach each case with a structured clinical framework, demonstrate clear reasoning and maintain a patient-centred, non-judgemental consultation style. Understanding the common pitfalls highlighted in recent RACGP exam reports can help guide your preparation and focus your practice on the skills that matter most in the exam. 

To boost your marks and exam confidence, why not consider enrolling in one of our Dr CCE preparation programs? These programs provide access to practice CCE cases, small group mock exams, group webinars and you can even 1:1 personalised CCE sessions with experienced medical educators. 

Reference:

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. 
Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) Public Exam Reports: 

  1. RACGP. Exam report 2025.2 CCE. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP; 2025. 
  1. RACGP. Exam report 2025.1 CCE. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP; 2025. 
  1. RACGP. Exam report 2024.2 CCE. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP; 2024. 
  1. RACGP. Exam report 2024.1 CCE. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP; 2024. 

Available from the RACGP exam results and public reports page: RACGP – Results and public reports