Was it focused on commercial awareness or just SJT type of questions in general?
-
Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
-
Office Hours with BCLP (Live Q&A)29 Oct 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Hosted on TCLA TVJoin Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager at BCLP, for a live Q&A session. Get details on secondments, innovation, growth areas, and everything else you’ve wanted to ask about life at BCLP!
📺 Join Event
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi congrats, I hope the open day went well!
Just wondering if there was a video interview element after the SJT for the open day, or just SJT?
Does anybody know if we can do the two burges salmon tests separately- taking a break in between ?
Does anyone have any advice for the Mayer Brown app. The question is Please use this section to tell us about any academic or non academic achievements and interests not covered elsewhere in this application. 300 words
I am not quite sure what to put, usually I put volunteering and committee roles in my work experience form but should I exclude them and add them here?
I am not quite sure what to put, usually I put volunteering and committee roles in my work experience form but should I exclude them and add them here?
I realised after submitting my application to Covington that I made two small errors. Firstly, I forgot to mention the year for one of my modules and I wrongly stated my position in one of my work experience I am a little concerned, as I felt confident about the rest of my answers. Do you know if Covington is very strict about minor mistakes like these. Is there anything you would suggest I do in this situation? Reed Smith">@Abbie - Reed Smith
Last edited:
They told me within a couple of days of completing the assessment, but I applied for the winter vac scheme.
Hello!
I totally get how you're feeling - even last cycle, I was shocked by how many firms had switched to Cappfinity or similar SJTs, and it seems to be an even larger number this year! They can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but as you do more of them the format becomes a bit easier to understand. A few tips and resources that might help:
Understand the Format
Cappfinity SJTs usually assess how you'd respond to realistic work scenarios in the role of a trainee. They're designed to test judgment and alignment with company values rather than intelligence. You'll often be ranking or rating responses, so have a look at what the specific firm values, and try and select options that you would do AND that align with those values.
Practice with Realistic Examples
As some others have said, there are a few resources online that allow you to practice. A lot of firms will have their own practice examples, however, you can also look at websites such as: Cappfinity, AssessmentDay, JobTestPrep, and Graduates First - they should all have some good practice tests (paid and unpaid) to help you understand what the format looks like.
Simulate Test Conditions
I would try to do the practice tests timed and without distractions. This will help you build confidence and familiarity so that the actual test feels less stressful on the real day.
I've also included some SJT advice that I always found really useful that Zainab shared last cycle - definitely have a look!
Hello!
Of course, I can share some general tips for VIs and SJTs that I always used in my last cycle. I can't share too much information on Reed Smith's in particular, just because the process has to be fair for all candidates!
Some SJT advice that I found really useful was actually shared by Zainab, and I'll copy it below. Just always remember that you are answering these situations as a trainee and so you should view each situation from that perspective.
- 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.
For VI's, I'd make sure that you are fully answering the question and that all of the examples you use actually link. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best. I would also practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror! Make sure you also utilise your prep time, as this is really useful! There was actually a video on TCLA in the Law Firm Directory that I watched before my SJT and VI that I found was super helpful - I'll link it here. I'd definitely give that a watch, as Rik gives some great advice on what they are looking for and how to approach each aspect
I hope that helps! Best of luck with the SJT and VI to anyone completing it
Most importantly - don't panic! The tests often sound scarier than they are. I definitely wasn't the biggest fan of them initially, but once you've done a few, you'll start spotting patterns and your confidence will grow.
Best of luck!
Hey!
That's a great question!
For this Fieldfisher question, they're not necessarily looking for a list of achievements but for authentic reflection. The key is to connect something personal from your background or experiences to qualities that would make you thrive during the insight scheme. Think of it as:
Experience -> Perspective Gained -> How it helps you thrive at Fieldfisher
You could break your response down into:
- Personal Experience: A moment or background detail that shaped you - maybe balancing work and study, being a first-generation student, living abroad, or leading a uni project. There isn't necessarily a specific 'type' of experience that this has to be, so long as it is personal and important to you.
- Perspective Gained: What did the experience teach you (e.g. resilience, curiosity, empathy, adaptability, etc). This is where you want to showcase self-awareness and reflection, and you should try to highlight skills or traits that are valued at Fieldfisher.
- Support for Success: Link these traits to how you'll use them at Fieldfisher (e.g. building relationships, handling complex work, learning quickly, or contributing to a collaborative environment). Think about what would be expected of you as a trainee, and show an understanding of how you would handle these expectations with your skillset.
You've got this! As it is only 800 characters, I would focus on clarity and direct links between your story, your perspective, and your potential success.
Best of luck with your application
There is a VI in the second stage assessment as well as another test! If you pass this, you receive the open day invite.
Hi!
That's a really good question, and this section can definitely be a bit confusing because it overlaps with other parts of the application form.
For this question, they're giving you space to show more of your personality and achievements beyond academics and formal work experience. It's less about where you've put things before, and more about how you use this space to highlight what makes you interesting, motivated, and well-rounded as a candidate.
A few tips that could assist with this question:
- Try not to repeat things you have already gone into detail about elsewhere - but you can briefly reference them if you're adding a new angle (e.g. lessons learned or skills developed that you didn't discuss earlier).
- Include meaningful experiences - these can be things such as volunteering, committee roles, sports, creative pursuits, languages, etc. (things that show commitment, leadership, teamwork or initiative).
- Reflect, don't just list - it's important to explain what these experiences taught you or how they shaped your perspective, as that's what helps you stand out. Make sure to discuss skills that it's given you that will make you a strong trainee at Mayer Brown.
- Show variety - it might be worth discussing a mix of personal interests and achievements. For example, you might discuss volunteering that developed your empathy and teamwork, and then mention your interest in debating, running, or music to show balance and discipline.
An example structure for these kinds of questions is:
- Brief Intro: what you enjoy outside of academics
- One or two specific examples of achievements or roles (with a focus on skills gained)
- End with how these interests contribute to your personal growth or the qualities you'd bring to Mayer Brown.
So yes, you can reuse volunteering or committee roles here if they add something new or weren't covered in depth before - just make sure you're not repeating content word-for-word.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!
Hello!
I would try not to worry, as those are really minor mistakes and are unlikely to hurt your application. Whilst I don't know too much about Covington, I'm sure they'll focus on your overall answers and motivations more than some tiny admin slips!
You could email the graduate recruitment team to clarify if it is making you anxious, as this might put your mind at ease. However, I wouldn't say this is essential - everyone has made a small mistake on an application before, and it's unlikely it'll count against you
Thank you sooo much!! This is so helpful, are these tests timed? Specifically, the ones for Weil, Freshfields, Mayer Brown, Gibson Dunn, and Milibank.Hello!
I totally get how you're feeling - even last cycle, I was shocked by how many firms had switched to Cappfinity or similar SJTs, and it seems to be an even larger number this year! They can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but as you do more of them the format becomes a bit easier to understand. A few tips and resources that might help:
Understand the Format
Cappfinity SJTs usually assess how you'd respond to realistic work scenarios in the role of a trainee. They're designed to test judgment and alignment with company values rather than intelligence. You'll often be ranking or rating responses, so have a look at what the specific firm values, and try and select options that you would do AND that align with those values.
Practice with Realistic Examples
As some others have said, there are a few resources online that allow you to practice. A lot of firms will have their own practice examples, however, you can also look at websites such as: Cappfinity, AssessmentDay, JobTestPrep, and Graduates First - they should all have some good practice tests (paid and unpaid) to help you understand what the format looks like.
Simulate Test Conditions
I would try to do the practice tests timed and without distractions. This will help you build confidence and familiarity so that the actual test feels less stressful on the real day.
I've also included some SJT advice that I always found really useful that Zainab shared last cycle - definitely have a look!
Most importantly - don't panic! The tests often sound scarier than they are. I definitely wasn't the biggest fan of them initially, but once you've done a few, you'll start spotting patterns and your confidence will grow.
Best of luck!
No problem at all!
I think this will differ from firm to firm, but I've found that most of the ones I have completed were untimed. I would say it is still useful to complete practice tests under timed conditions just in case!
Milbank is timed. The others aren't timed though they do suggest to work as quickly through them as you can!
Similar threads
- Sticky
