TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnsmith]

Hey!

Yes, I remember there being a section to include individual module grades when I applied last year. It might just be that they've changed it for this year!

Sorry I meant I applied in September and that section was there 😄

 

[c.t.tc]

If anyone else has applied to Osborne Clarke with a law conversion were you able to put your module grades in (for the post-graduate bit)?

 

[BT0901]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

In the work experience section, if a firm is asking for open days - would it be alright to list firms that are very different from them? Or should I just exclude it?

 

[Andrei Radu]

In the work experience section, if a firm is asking for open days - would it be alright to list firms that are very different from them? Or should I just exclude it?

Yes - this will definitely be fine and I would argue it is actually advisable to do so. Firms are well aware of how competitive the commercial law job market is, so they expect any candidate with a serious interest in this career to be applying to a multitude of firms. Moreover, having attended open days at other firms shows that you have taken the time to properly research the field and find out what firms are out there and what differentiates them. This will make any claims you make to be interested in their firm appear more informed - arguably you can only really know you are interested in their particular offering if you also know what other offerings were available. Finally, firms also know that many open days are selective and sometimes involve a highly competitive process, so showing you attended several will suggest you are a competitive candidate.

 

[aspringlawyer25]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

when did you apply and receive the assessment?

 

[Spector.Ross]

I just took the W&C test and I did get the Cappfinity 'Your answers have been recorded' outro but the W&C portal shows 'In progress' and the 'Take test' button didn't disappear, is this normal?

Hi, could i ask if the test was more like a situational judgment test or a watson glaser?

 

[BT0901]

when did you apply and receive the assessment?

applied on the first day and got the invitation this week

 

[TA04]

Can anyone see their work experience section after submitting their Clifford Chance application when looking back on it? I can't see mine for some reason

 

[berocca567]

What does the HL second test consist of please?

 

[tk.42_]

Does anyone have any insights into NRF VI please?

 

[futureharveyspecter]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Wishing everyone a positive week ahead, smash all these applications and next stage shenanigans! 🫶🏾✨📚

 

[i-want-a-tc]

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

VI will show up in second stage assessment, not in the first one

 

[berocca567]

Freshfields - is the 'second stage' automatic, or is that one you get progressed to? thr website doesnt mention multipel stages so how does everyone know there are 2?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Applying to Denton's vac scheme, any tips for answering this question: What do you understand to be the day-to-day responsibilities of a commercial lawyer? What attracts you to this reality and which aspects do you anticipate to be most challenging for you to navigate? I find I always struggle to make my answer to these questions unique/ stand out?

 

[johnsmith]

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

Just the former - no VI at initial stage.

@berocca567, their prep hub includes the VI section. The email with the initial assessment also says stage 1, so the logical conclusion is that there is another stage with further testing, which likely includes VI.

 

[abc124]

Hi, could i ask if the test was more like a situational judgment test or a watson glaser?

Hey, it was both - standard Cappfinity style

 

[abc124]

What does the HL second test consist of please?

SJTs, short written answer, and video interview questions

 

[Tattyasha]

Do people actually reapply to firms where they were rejected after completing a vacation scheme? I'm just curious 🤔

Well, I didn’t think I would but I did one last year that I didn’t convert due to number of places. They asked me to apply again. I said I’m guessing direct TC would be best so as not to take up a VS space again and they said they try and get everyone to do the VS anyway regardless of how they apply so it didn’t matter, but, in answer to your question, yes they do, but it’s probably subjective and depends on the firm and their reason for rejecting previously