Macfarlanes online assessment - any advice??

[Apple]

It seems this was newly added this year. Can any kind individual who has taken the test give any advice, or let me know what kind of questions were asked? Thank you!!

 

[maddie]

It seems this was newly added this year. Can any kind individual who has taken the test give any advice, or let me know what kind of questions were asked? Thank you!!

Hey it’s been a long time and it seems you never got a reply, I’m sorry about that. Ive been invited to take the online assessment and was wondering if you remember what it was like and if you could offer any guidance.

 

[raymokhan]

Hey it’s been a long time and it seems you never got a reply, I’m sorry about that. Ive been invited to take the online assessment and was wondering if you remember what it was like and if you could offer any guidance.

I just got through to the second assessment (the job simulation one). If anyone has advice about how to approach that I would be very grateful!

 

[ZNadeem]

Hey it’s been a long time and it seems you never got a reply, I’m sorry about that. Ive been invited to take the online assessment and was wondering if you remember what it was like and if you could offer any guidance.

Hi! The test is a Capp assessment run through Cappfinity — it’s mainly SJT-style questions, but you should also expect some critical thinking ones too. I don’t think it’s timed. I’d recommend checking out the Cappfinity preparation hub before attempting the Macfarlanes online assessment.

General tips for SJTs:
-Recognise Your Role as a Trainee: As a trainee, you are not yet qualified to provide legal advice independently. Your work will require input and oversight from qualified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
-Value Collaboration: Law firms operate as collaborative environments. While it’s essential to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to take on tasks, many projects will require teamwork and the support of others to succeed.
-Adopt a Risk-Averse Mindset: Law firms are naturally cautious about risks. Your decisions and actions should align with this approach to protect the firm and its clients.
-Prioritise Quality Over Speed: Delivering thorough, high-quality work is more important than rushing to complete tasks. Precision and attention to detail are critical.
-Optimise Your Time: As your time is billed to clients, it's important to work efficiently. If seeking guidance can help you complete a task faster and more effectively, don’t hesitate to do so—it benefits both you and the firm.
-Follow the Priority Hierarchy: Decisions should prioritise the client first, your colleagues second, and yourself last. While this may feel counterintuitive, it ensures that the firm maintains its commitment to service and teamwork.
-Balance Initiative with Responsibility: Taking on additional tasks can demonstrate your drive and determination, but ensure this doesn’t compromise the quality or timeliness of your existing commitments. Delegate, defer, or reorganise tasks as needed to maintain balance.

 

[raymokhan]

Hi! The test is a Capp assessment run through Cappfinity — it’s mainly SJT-style questions, but you should also expect some critical thinking ones too. I don’t think it’s timed. I’d recommend checking out the Cappfinity preparation hub before attempting the Macfarlanes online assessment.

General tips for SJTs:
-Recognise Your Role as a Trainee: As a trainee, you are not yet qualified to provide legal advice independently. Your work will require input and oversight from qualified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
-Value Collaboration: Law firms operate as collaborative environments. While it’s essential to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to take on tasks, many projects will require teamwork and the support of others to succeed.
-Adopt a Risk-Averse Mindset: Law firms are naturally cautious about risks. Your decisions and actions should align with this approach to protect the firm and its clients.
-Prioritise Quality Over Speed: Delivering thorough, high-quality work is more important than rushing to complete tasks. Precision and attention to detail are critical.
-Optimise Your Time: As your time is billed to clients, it's important to work efficiently. If seeking guidance can help you complete a task faster and more effectively, don’t hesitate to do so—it benefits both you and the firm.
-Follow the Priority Hierarchy: Decisions should prioritise the client first, your colleagues second, and yourself last. While this may feel counterintuitive, it ensures that the firm maintains its commitment to service and teamwork.
-Balance Initiative with Responsibility: Taking on additional tasks can demonstrate your drive and determination, but ensure this doesn’t compromise the quality or timeliness of your existing commitments. Delegate, defer, or reorganise tasks as needed to maintain balance.

Hi Nadeem, thanks your advice. I already passed this stage and are through to a "job simulation" exercise on cappfinity, I've never heard of anything like this before and there's very little context as to what's involved. Do you have any tips on how to succeed in this? This was included in the email I was sent;

(the task is called "Simulate") "This assessment is designed as a real-life project you could work on at Macfarlanes, so you’ll gain a genuine feel for the type of work our lawyers do. As part of this, you’ll be asked to submit video responses, so please make sure you’re prepared for that element."

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi Nadeem, thanks your advice. I already passed this stage and are through to a "job simulation" exercise on cappfinity, I've never heard of anything like this before and there's very little context as to what's involved. Do you have any tips on how to succeed in this? This was included in the email I was sent;

(the task is called "Simulate") "This assessment is designed as a real-life project you could work on at Macfarlanes, so you’ll gain a genuine feel for the type of work our lawyers do. As part of this, you’ll be asked to submit video responses, so please make sure you’re prepared for that element."

Oh that’s interesting! Looks like a new step they’ve added. I’d imagine it’s a simplified version of a classic trainee task. My advice would be to try out some Forage corporate and finance tasks (Macfarlanes or other firms) to get practice with the style of work.

I’m not entirely sure what the video element might involve, but it’s likely tied to the task — so think about explaining your reasoning clearly and professionally, as if you were updating a supervisor or client.

 

[raymokhan]

Oh that’s interesting! Looks like a new step they’ve added. I’d imagine it’s a simplified version of a classic trainee task. My advice would be to try out some Forage corporate and finance tasks (Macfarlanes or other firms) to get practice with the style of work.

I’m not entirely sure what the video element might involve, but it’s likely tied to the task — so think about explaining your reasoning clearly and professionally, as if you were updating a supervisor or client.

Hi Nadeem, thanks so much! Do you have any links that can help me with preparing? I don't know what you mean by Forage corporate and finance tasks haha

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi Nadeem, thanks so much! Do you have any links that can help me with preparing? I don't know what you mean by Forage corporate and finance tasks haha

Hi! No worries, here is a link: https://www.theforage.com/simulations?careers=law. Have a look at the tasks and try to do 1-2 more general ones.

 

[louissaamm]

Hi! The test is a Capp assessment run through Cappfinity — it’s mainly SJT-style questions, but you should also expect some critical thinking ones too. I don’t think it’s timed. I’d recommend checking out the Cappfinity preparation hub before attempting the Macfarlanes online assessment.

General tips for SJTs:
-Recognise Your Role as a Trainee: As a trainee, you are not yet qualified to provide legal advice independently. Your work will require input and oversight from qualified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
-Value Collaboration: Law firms operate as collaborative environments. While it’s essential to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to take on tasks, many projects will require teamwork and the support of others to succeed.
-Adopt a Risk-Averse Mindset: Law firms are naturally cautious about risks. Your decisions and actions should align with this approach to protect the firm and its clients.
-Prioritise Quality Over Speed: Delivering thorough, high-quality work is more important than rushing to complete tasks. Precision and attention to detail are critical.
-Optimise Your Time: As your time is billed to clients, it's important to work efficiently. If seeking guidance can help you complete a task faster and more effectively, don’t hesitate to do so—it benefits both you and the firm.
-Follow the Priority Hierarchy: Decisions should prioritise the client first, your colleagues second, and yourself last. While this may feel counterintuitive, it ensures that the firm maintains its commitment to service and teamwork.
-Balance Initiative with Responsibility: Taking on additional tasks can demonstrate your drive and determination, but ensure this doesn’t compromise the quality or timeliness of your existing commitments. Delegate, defer, or reorganise tasks as needed to maintain balance.

On the cappfinity website there are 4 different parts of the practice test, does the macfarlanes assesment include all 4? Thank you

 

[louissaamm]

Hi! The test is a Capp assessment run through Cappfinity — it’s mainly SJT-style questions, but you should also expect some critical thinking ones too. I don’t think it’s timed. I’d recommend checking out the Cappfinity preparation hub before attempting the Macfarlanes online assessment.

General tips for SJTs:
-Recognise Your Role as a Trainee: As a trainee, you are not yet qualified to provide legal advice independently. Your work will require input and oversight from qualified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
-Value Collaboration: Law firms operate as collaborative environments. While it’s essential to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to take on tasks, many projects will require teamwork and the support of others to succeed.
-Adopt a Risk-Averse Mindset: Law firms are naturally cautious about risks. Your decisions and actions should align with this approach to protect the firm and its clients.
-Prioritise Quality Over Speed: Delivering thorough, high-quality work is more important than rushing to complete tasks. Precision and attention to detail are critical.
-Optimise Your Time: As your time is billed to clients, it's important to work efficiently. If seeking guidance can help you complete a task faster and more effectively, don’t hesitate to do so—it benefits both you and the firm.
-Follow the Priority Hierarchy: Decisions should prioritise the client first, your colleagues second, and yourself last. While this may feel counterintuitive, it ensures that the firm maintains its commitment to service and teamwork.
-Balance Initiative with Responsibility: Taking on additional tasks can demonstrate your drive and determination, but ensure this doesn’t compromise the quality or timeliness of your existing commitments. Delegate, defer, or reorganise tasks as needed to maintain balance.

Hi! On the cappfinity website there are 4 types of categories for the practice test, does the macfarlanes assesment include all 4 of them? or is only critical thinking and verbal agreement? also is it cognitive or behavioural test? Thank you

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi! On the cappfinity website there are 4 types of categories for the practice test, does the macfarlanes assesment include all 4 of them? or is only critical thinking and verbal agreement? also is it cognitive or behavioural test? Thank you

Hi! I’m not fully sure, but my understanding is that it likely includes all of the categories, not just critical thinking and verbal reasoning.

 

[louissaamm]

Hi! I’m not fully sure, but my understanding is that it likely includes all of the categories, not just critical thinking and verbal reasoning.

Hi! okay thank you

 

[Travis2006]

Hi! okay thank you

Hi, have you completed the assessment yet? Would you say it's hard if you have completed it? Just want to see how much practice you actually have to do for this thing, or if it's fairly straightforward.

Also, if you're applying for the Macfarlanes first year insight scheme, what did you answer for 'Please provide details of any assignment or coursework marks obtained, along with the year of study, during your undergraduate degree'? As we have not started university yet.