TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[stilltrying]

Has anyone who applied for the Freshfields DTC received the second test?

Haven't even received my first test - sent my application 8 days ago - is it just me?

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

 

[applicant457]

Anyone have any tips for Jones Day VI?

 

[jojo23]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

72hrs I think it says in the email

 

[jaisrihere]

Hi @a1024 !

This is a very interesting question, and I believe that it is one of the most difficult questions that I have seen!

I believe it is very difficult to tie questions like this to the firm's practice area or work, so I would not worry about this. Firms often ask questions like this not to assess a candidate's motivation or experience, but to see whether they can write succinctly while explaining their reasoning clearly and answering all aspects of the question.

Therefore, I believe you can pick any event and it does not have to be tied to the firm, or even the work of a commercial lawyer generally.

When structuring your answer, I would advise you to pay attention to the following aspects:

• Clearly identify and state which event you would want to witness, ideally in your first sentence: This may seem obvious, but I think it is important to be really clear as to what the particular event you would want to witness is, and when it was/is/will be.

• Explain any important details about the event: If there are any significant details about this event which may not have been clear from your initial description, you should do this next. However, I would not spend too much of your limited word count in explaining what the event is; certainly not more than 100 words, as the more significant aspect of the question, to me, appears to be the question "why?".

• Explain why you would like to witness this event: This is the most important part of the question and, in my opinion, should be the majority of your answer. Offer ideally two or three reasons outlining why this event would be particularly interesting to witness. Pay attention, in particular, to what insight you might gain by witnessing this event, rather than reading about it online. Also, don't be afraid to explain why the event is interesting to you in particular! It is always good to be able to tie your answer to such questions to your personality, background and other experiences!

Good luck!

This is really insightful and helped me structure the answer. Thank you for this!

 

[WeGotThis!]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

It says 4 calendar days in the email

 

[Krausaar]

Ashurst WVS AC invite!!

Same here! Might be worth connecting if our AC is on the same day.

 

[legallybrunette8]

Has anyone else not received HL 1st stage test which is meant to be automatic? I applied a week ago.
Also, this is for HL Lift Off so not sure if it's different to the vac scheme process

 

[Harvey Specter]

Has anyone else not received HL 1st stage test which is meant to be automatic? I applied a week ago.
Also, this is for HL Lift Off so not sure if it's different to the vac scheme process

I also applied for Lift Off last week and have yet to receive the 1st stage test. Not sure if they are dealing with the WVS apps and ACs first though, since that is in Dec. Lift Off is in late Jan so they might send those tests out in batches.​

 

[Vakil]

I

I also applied for Lift Off last week and have yet to receive the 1st stage test. Not sure if they are dealing with the WVS apps and ACs first though, since that is in Dec. Lift Off is in late Jan so they might send those tests out in batches.​

I applied for HL Lift Off on 26 September and received the first stage assessment on 14 October. Hope that helps.

 

[johnsmith]

The Milbank test was a nice way to get the brain going this AM!

 

[aspringlawyer25]

The Milbank test was a nice way to get the brain going this AM!

Oh gosh, is it an SJT or job sim?

 

[The Boy]

just received an invitation to the second stage of Freshfields' direct training contract application (it’s a job simulation 😔)

 

[JasmineM9]

just received an invitation to the second stage of Freshfields' direct training contract application (it’s a job simulation 😔)

Congrats!!! Would you mind sharing when you completed the first test? 😊

 

[The Boy]

Congrats!!! Would you mind sharing when you completed the first test? 😊

17th of October

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone done HL’s second stage test thats willing to share insights? Can provide advice on Ashurst’s AC! Thank you xx

 

[lawyersum]

Has anyone heard back post Bristows IP Workshop VI?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Has anyone who applied for the Freshfields DTC received the second test?

I did DTC or TAP as they call it and got 2nd stage invite 5 minutes ago. I completed test on 18th October.

 

[Dannie]

What was the Milbank test? critical thinking?

 

[Kjaerlighet]

Fellow aspiring lawyers,

did any of you hear back from Linklaters / Links after completing their in-person AC for Winter Vac Scheme (WVS)?