TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have an idea on how to take this question?

"Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring as a insight scheme participant at Fieldfisher, and how this perspective will support your success". (800 characters)

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.

I would keep your answer personal and reflective - one focused story told clearly and in depth will read stronger than trying to cover everything.

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

 

[helloj]

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?

There is a VI in the second stage assessment as well as another test! If you pass this, you receive the open day invite.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

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?

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:

1. Brief Intro: what you enjoy outside of academics
2. One or two specific examples of achievements or roles (with a focus on skills gained)
3. 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!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

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

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

 

[FutureTrainee100]

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!

Thank you sooo much!! This is so helpful, are these tests timed? Specifically, the ones for Weil, Freshfields, Mayer Brown, Gibson Dunn, and Milibank.

 

[GT1205H]

Super random but I applied to DLA piper on 6th Oct and just got the WG invite today Sunday

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you sooo much!! This is so helpful, are these tests timed? Specifically, the ones for Weil, Freshfields, Mayer Brown, Gibson Dunn, and Milibank.

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!

 

[johnsmith]

Thank you sooo much!! This is so helpful, are these tests timed? Specifically, the ones for Weil, Freshfields, Mayer Brown, Gibson Dunn, and Milibank.

Milbank is timed. The others aren't timed though they do suggest to work as quickly through them as you can!

 

[ali-k]

Yes they tell you

even if youve failed?

 

[l789]

There is a VI in the second stage assessment as well as another test! If you pass this, you receive the open day invite.

I only recieved, an invitation to a two part assessment (second assessment had no video interview) Completed that on the deadline, and was emailed my cappfinity report on Wednesday

I haven’t heard anything since- I’m not sure what to make of this. Do you have any further guidance?

 

[J1234]

does the Simmons first stage test have a vi or is it just an sjt?

also wondering this?

 

[johnsmith]

also wondering this?

Yes VI!

 

[J1234]

Yes VI!

Oh right thank you! It threw me when the email said the second part of the online application stage is just an online judgement test for approx 30 minutes

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Have Hogan Lovells AC invites been sent out?

Is Hogan Lovells' 2nd stage test automatic?

has anyone heard of Hogan Lovells post Job Sim? Any AC invites?

What's the Cappfinity Job Simulation for Hogan Lovells like?
It says "mixture of scenario-based rank questions, video response questions and written response questions".

The scenario-based sounds like an SJT which I already did. Is the video response typical VI stuff ?

Hi all, for those who have completed the Hogan Lovells Job Simulation test, I was just wondering whether you wouldn't mind sharing whether the questions were more focused on the situations themselves in the test (i.e., how you would respond in different scenarios), or could be related more to your personal motivation, skills, and competencies? Prepping for possible questions such as Why the firm, why commercial law would take up so much more time. Thank you so much!

 

[LawAspirer]

IS DLA Piper Watson Glaser test automatic? I got it on a Sunday and i'm wondering if it's automatic or it was actually assessed.

 

[qaz99]

have people heard back from W&C for their winter scheme? I know it's rolling and I was wondering if it's stupid to apply today (deadline day)

was told they are going to get back to everyone after the deadline

 

[johnsmith]

Freshfelds stage 2 all done - is it weird to say you enjoyed it?

 

[whywhy88]

Anyone else feel like they bombed the last two questions on the Milbank assessment? They definitely caught me off guard, and I ran out of time for the last one on my final sentence 🙃

 

[flower1]

was told they are going to get back to everyone after the deadline

Hello, do you know if this is also for the spring/summer vacation schemes for W&C?

 

[Dannie]

should I prepare deals for Freshfields VI?