Hi, does anyone have any tips for the Freshfields' online assessment for their direct TC? Is it more like the Watson Glaser, or more scenario-based about a trainee’s day-to-day work?
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
If you go to their preparation portal - https://freshfields.preparationplus.com/ - that's the best indication of what the online assessment is like.
Thank you so much!! You’re the best, Abbie!!Hello!
I've just had a look, and I also cannot seem to get to their application through the Vantage portal - it seems that the only way to apply this year is through their website (but if anyone finds an alternative way, please do share!).
If the website doesn't confirm whether the WG scores roll over from the previous cycle, it might be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team to double check. When I applied a couple cycles ago, it sent you an automatic email after submitting your application that stated - "I am pleased to confirm that as you previously completed and passed the test within the last two recruitment cycles with us, you do not need to do the test again this year".
It might be easier to confirm their stance in advance if you don't want to wait until after submitting your application
Best of luck with your application!!
I managed to find out the answer on their FAQ - they do continue to allow you to carry over your WG for 2 cycles
Thank you
Hey @Jaysen do you know roughly how long it takes to hear back from a last stage partner interview for a direct training contract? I did the interview on Friday last week. And there were only a handful of candidates who made it to the final partner stage and all have been interviewed. Surely it’s a case of just calling who made it or not 
Hi!Hey @Jaysen do you know roughly how long it takes to hear back from a last stage partner interview for a direct training contract? I did the interview on Friday last week. And there were only a handful of candidates who made it to the final partner stage and all have been interviewed. Surely it’s a case of just calling who made it or not
Just thought I'd jump in and add my thoughts!
First of all, congratulations on making it to the final stage partner interview - I totally get how nerve-wracking the wait is, especially since it's the final stage!
Usually firms take about a week or so to finalise things after partner interviews, but sometimes it can stretch a bit if partners are busy or decisions need sign-off. Since everyone's been interviewed, you should be hearing soon!
Hang in there - you've done the hardest part already! Wishing you the best
Thank you so much, honestly your words have genuinely calmed my anxiety!Hi!
Just thought I'd jump in and add my thoughts!
First of all, congratulations on making it to the final stage partner interview - I totally get how nerve-wracking the wait is, especially since it's the final stage!
Usually firms take about a week or so to finalise things after partner interviews, but sometimes it can stretch a bit if partners are busy or decisions need sign-off. Since everyone's been interviewed, you should be hearing soon!
Hang in there - you've done the hardest part already! Wishing you the best
Can anyone confirm if the online assessment for Freshfields is automatic?
Slaughter pfo, disheartened 
first rejection of thr cycle
first rejection of thr cycle
- Sep 9, 2024
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Hey @lolololol I am very sorry to hear about the rejection, and I completely understand how you must be feeling right now. I can certainly relate to the incredible frustration of being rejected after spending hours and hours researching a firm and then honing an application to perfection. I also definitely relate with how disheartened that can make you feel. This is an experience almost every single successful candidate will know - even the ones who eventually ended up securing multiple offers from top firms. It is important to remind yourself of that so that you do not judge yourself too harshly or deem your situation hopeless.Slaughter pfo, disheartened
Thus, I think you should internalise the fact that even the most successful candidates are rejected in the vast majority of their applications: a friend of mine who ended the last application cycle with 5 VS offers (including from elite US firms such as Weil, Akin, and White & Case) started the application cycle by being rejected at the application stage 6-7 times in a row. The point is that what matters is not whether you succeed or not with any individual firm, but whether you can be resilient, use your frustration as a source of motivation, and simply show up again and again. You should know that if you keep submitting great applications, and if you keep doing your best to improve yourself as a candidate, you will eventually end up succeeding.
Slaughter & May TC interview invite!
Please share any advice!! Thank you.
Please share any advice!! Thank you.
I've also been invited to TC interview for Slaughter and May and would similarly appreciate any advice that anyone can share!
I've also been invited to TC interview for Slaughter and May and would similarly appreciate any advice that anyone can share!
Congrats to you both! Would you mind sharing when you applied?
@Ram Sabaratnam I saw on A&O's they require candidates to have 7 GCSEs, as an international student I haven' t studied GCSE before. Can i still apply their TC?
Hi!
Yes, I'd say that you can still apply! The GCSE requirement will be aimed at UK-based applicants, and as an international student, firms like A&O will understand that you'll have studied a different qualification.
What they'll look for instead is the equivalent academic performance in your own education system. You can usually explain your grades in the application form, if there is space, and note that your qualification is the equivalent of GCSEs.
If you're still unsure, it might be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team to double-check how they interpret your specific qualification - they're usually very helpful about this and can confirm how to present it.
I hope that helps!
How do firms assess the Capp SJT? On one of them I got teamwork as a weakness but challenge myself and thrive in high-pressured situations as a strength. Considering it's the legal industry is teamwork as a weakness an automatic PFO?
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