TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter]

Hi, I would really appreciate someone who has done to Freshfields stage 1 online test to clarify this by replying to me. Thank you!

There’s 3 components: an SJT, WG and another element which is like a quick fire personality test thing. The SJT is untimed, the other two parts of the test are timed. The test should take roughly an hour to complete in full.​

 

[cookedlawstudent]

There’s 3 components: an SJT, WG and another element which is like a quick fire personality test thing. The SJT is untimed, the other two parts of the test are timed. The test should take roughly an hour to complete in full.​

Thank you for responding! Would you say the questions are very similar to the practice tests they provided or much harder?

 

[spidermonkey777]

Hello!

Yes, it was recorded

I'm struggling to find it Could you tell me where I can access the recording, please?

 

[spidermonkey777]

anyone heard from DLA piper after being told they passed WG

have you heard back yet?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Thank you for responding! Would you say the questions are very similar to the practice tests they provided or much harder?

I am generally really bad at SJTs and WGs so it’s probably likely that my anecdotal experience will not be the same as everyone else’s. I attempted the practice tests and felt the actual test was pretty similar in terms of difficulty. However, I did have extra time as an adjustment, so not sure if that contributed to the experience. Not entirely sure what their benchmarks are either and if the benchmark will be increasing as more applications come through nearer to the deadline.​

 

[Maddy]

Anyone who was cut mid way in their A&O shearman VI and still got an AC? Or are they very strict? I got low verbal and numerical.

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I am generally really bad at SJTs and WGs so it’s probably likely that my anecdotal experience will not be the same as everyone else’s. I attempted the practice tests and felt the actual test was pretty similar in terms of difficulty. However, I did have extra time as an adjustment, so not sure if that contributed to the experience. Not entirely sure what their benchmarks are either and if the benchmark will be increasing as more applications come through nearer to the deadline.​

That's very interesting, because I did practice on Graduates First for the Watson Glaser test and I swear that the mock tests they have are the most difficult Watson Glaser tests known to man. One of them was so insanely difficult I thought that I was cooked for the real thing. But I found the practice tests that FF gave in their preparation portal to be a lot easier. For Situation Judgement, I've had a lot of experience with those when it comes to applying to retail jobs so I'm not as concerned with that part. But from what you've said I think I'll do atleast one test before.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Does anyone have any advice, in the last 24 hours I have been rejected from Reed Smith and DLA Piper post application (so didn't even get the test for either) and both rejections were received within a week of me applying.

I'm not really sure what to make of it as I've gotten to ACs before and am progressing thru test stages with other firms. My weakest part of my app is my grades but they both say they take a 2.1 and I thought they were strong applications, maybe I was too late idk.


Any advice on this as I am struggling to move past these rejections since I don't really know what to learn from it/what I shld have done differently.

Last year I progressed to online test with Reed Smith. My grades are terrible so I would say focus on tailoring your application more. I remember speaking about a topic that wasn't very academic but was true to my story of why I wanted a career in law. No fancy writing, just a simple walk through of what I did when I was younger, how it led me to law, then I linked it to the work at Reed Smith.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

That's very interesting, because I did practice on Graduates First for the Watson Glaser test and I swear that the mock tests they have are the most difficult Watson Glaser tests known to man. One of them was so insanely difficult I thought that I was cooked for the real thing. But I found the practice tests that FF gave in their preparation portal to be a lot easier. For Situation Judgement, I've had a lot of experience with those when it comes to applying to retail jobs so I'm not as concerned with that part. But from what you've said I think I'll do atleast one test before.

I'm using graduate first and the tests are definitely harder. Try assessment day, their tests are similar to the real thing.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Finished my Simons test earlier today. Am I cooked for having average verbal, strong numerical then 8,8,4. Anyone gotten through with similar scores or 20 when you add it up? I waffled on 2 of my video interview questions, and 2 were strong.

 

[kts17]

Guys can anyone confirm if we need to put every grade individually in the Gowling WLG application? It’s not clear to me.

 

[johnsmith]

Finished my Simons test earlier today. Am I cooked for having average verbal, strong numerical then 8,8,4. Anyone gotten through with similar scores or 20 when you add it up? I waffled on 2 of my video interview questions, and 2 were strong.

I got equivalent to 20 but not heard on next steps yet!

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Have ppl received Hogan Lovells' Job Sim for their Summer VS after doing their first test. If so, how long did it take for HL to send over test 2?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those who have done the Reed Smith test, are the VI questions fairly standard?

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I'm using graduate first and the tests are definitely harder. Try assessment day, their tests are similar to the real thing.

I would but the price point is insane 😭 47 only ONE WEEK OF ACCESS to questions???? I hope there are promo codes out there

 

[Amgrad]

I would but the price point is insane 😭 47 only ONE WEEK OF ACCESS to questions???? I hope there are promo codes out there

Try Assessly. It's mimic WG at most law firms which made me never failed. The price is also affordable

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone!

I'm very happy to say that Withers is live right now to answer any questions you have. You can join them in their thread here.

Katherine has substantial experience in the early talent space to provide you with guidance in your applications.

This is also a particularly good opportunity for those of you who want to know more about private client work.

 

[kelsworking]

Find SJT quite tricky - did FF stage 1 and got rejected.
Usually I am ok (average-ish) with wg and it seems to be the SJT that is problematic.
I understand from the sense that you have to be honest with yourself but it does seem a bit frustrating when you don't seem to be the right 'personality'.
Any insights or tips with these situations? Thanks

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

Freshfields pfo stage 1 worst start to the week when I just got back my motivation yesterday.

 

[CharlesT47]

Finally, you could also consider how the higher interest rate environment of the last few years has shifted the bargaining position in favour of lenders - after the rise of PE in the 2010s has led to a status quo of very sponsor-friendly terms. Arguably, this means that lawyers acting for investment banks should have more of an opportunity to value-add by pushing for better deal terms, which could be an attractive aspect for up-and-coming lawyers.

Hi @Andrei Radu , thanks for your response. I've been thinking about what you said here. I just have two questions.
First, does the private credit boom not diminish the bargaining position of lenders somewhat? In the sense that if sponsors are unhappy with the terms of the bank loan, they could equally approach private credit funds who can often offer substantial funding as well. This is despite the fact that the interest rates are higher.

Second, I've been trying to find more information on 'sponsor-designated' law firms. I can't seem to find many updated articles (Most are from a few years ago) However, my understanding is that the PE sponsor is the one who decides who represents the bank. This has been criticised for the inherent conflict of interest, as PE sponsors will pick firms that are friendly to their terms. Does this practice still occur to this day? If so, does this not show that lender-sided firms don't actually have that much bargaining power? If they were to push back hard, the PE sponsor would choose a different firm next time around.

This comes with the caveat that Davis Polk does not engage in any of this kind of work. They only do big-ticket M&A and it would be detrimental to their brand if they were to cave to pressure immediately. Which firms tend to be these sponsor-designated law firms?

Edit: Actually, I've just looked at their legal 500 page and the description of partner Luke McDougall is that he is often the designated lender counsel. I am very confused then. Is my analysis about the inherent conflict of interest then incorrect? Or am I missing something here.
If anyone could explain I would appreciate this.