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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

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User22022002

Active Member
Jul 9, 2025
13
6
CC WG rejection, first WG rejection I've had from the few I've done. Surprising and annoying haha. Does anyone iknow what the threshold is for them this cycle?
I do a couple practice questions for each section right before starting the test. However, to avoid fatigue don’t over practice and then start the test. If you feel you need more practice, continue and I’d advise to start the test the following day.

If you have passed a few before don't panic and trust you can do it! Mistakes happen. Make sure you are thinking correctly for each stage as they require differing thought processes. I have each section (and tips) written out as I work through to help me get into the right mindset.

For example, deductions effectively require you to remove all prior experience/prejudice from your mind and focus solely on the information given to you. Treat it literally as a logic puzzle. You can use algebra if that helps! I also advise familiarising yourself with what “all” and “some” mean as they are often used within proposed conclusions.

Some = more than one, but less that every / all. It’s a purposefully vague quantifier so don’t fall into its trap!

Remember deductions is a strict language game.
Whether you agree or not is immaterial.

If the conclusion doesn’t fall within the rules = conclusion doesn’t follow

If the conclusion is about something not mentioned = conclusion doesn’t follow

Good luck!
 

User22022002

Active Member
Jul 9, 2025
13
6
Has anyone heard back from Milbank 2nd test (critical thinking)? I got an email saying I missed the deadline to do it but I had completed it a few days before. Thankfully they allowed me to re-complete it but now I’m worried I don’t exist in their database!
 

mg42guy32

Distinguished Member
Aug 24, 2024
68
87
I do a couple practice questions for each section right before starting the test. However, to avoid fatigue don’t over practice and then start the test. If you feel you need more practice, continue and I’d advise to start the test the following day.

If you have passed a few before don't panic and trust you can do it! Mistakes happen. Make sure you are thinking correctly for each stage as they require differing thought processes. I have each section (and tips) written out as I work through to help me get into the right mindset.

For example, deductions effectively require you to remove all prior experience/prejudice from your mind and focus solely on the information given to you. Treat it literally as a logic puzzle. You can use algebra if that helps! I also advise familiarising yourself with what “all” and “some” mean as they are often used within proposed conclusions.

Some = more than one, but less that every / all. It’s a purposefully vague quantifier so don’t fall into its trap!

Remember deductions is a strict language game.
Whether you agree or not is immaterial.

If the conclusion doesn’t fall within the rules = conclusion doesn’t follow

If the conclusion is about something not mentioned = conclusion doesn’t follow

Good luck!
Thank you, I think I will start to do a couple more practice qs before each test!
 
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hmevey

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
63
34
CMS rejection :( quite sad as i think this was my best application for this cycle- I had in-depth answers, attended the firms events, met trainees and partners, i have commercial law paralegal experience so i'm not feeling to hopeful going forward. Maybe it was my WG- i was averaging 70% on my practices?
 

MaryAra299

Distinguished Member
Feb 2, 2025
53
41
Hi, for Freshfields' sjts I got championing our clients and giving them edge, challenging ourselves and delivering extraordinary outcomes as top strengths and teamwork and thriving under pressure as weaknesses. Am I cooked? Feel like this is so weak for a tc, I wanted to apply for a vac scheme but couldn't since I am a graduate and so not eligible. Plus I don't have any experience working or doing vacation schemes at law firms. Just voluntary placements and advice clinics. Feeling so disappointed. Can anyone who progressed after this in previous cycles share their results please.
 
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Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
831
893
Hi, for Freshfields' sjts I got championing our clients and giving them edge, challenging ourselves and delivering extraordinary outcomes as top strengths and teamwork and thriving under pressure as weaknesses. Am I cooked? Feel like this is so weak for a tc, I wanted to apply for a vac scheme but couldn't since I am a graduate and so not eligible. Plus I don't have any experience working or doing vacation schemes at law firms. Just voluntary placements and advice clinics. Feeling so disappointed. Can anyone who progressed after this in previous cycles share their results please.
Hi!

I'm not too sure on how firms assess these tests, but I don't think having those areas as weaknesses is an automatic rejection. It's important to remember that just because they have been ranked as a "weaknesses", this doesn't necessarily mean that you scored badly in those traits - it just means they were your lowest scoring overall. You could still have scored highly across all of them!

It's difficult to predict these tests but, inevitably, everyone will be assigned a weakness, and I would try not to worry too much about what weakness you are given as none of them are necessarily a 'good one' to have :)
 

wrpark

Active Member
Premium Member
Sep 2, 2025
15
17
Why in the world does Farrer & Co require to put in my referee's ADDRESS? How am I supposed to know my uni tutor's address and why do THEY need to know 😭😭 Does anyone know if it would be okay just to input my university or workplace address? Also phone number as well???? It's a bit weird to ask my 60-something year old male professor for their mobile number.
 
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p2bv

Esteemed Member
Feb 6, 2022
84
120
Why in the world does Farrer & Co require to put in my referee's ADDRESS? How am I supposed to know my uni tutor's address and why do THEY need to know 😭😭 Does anyone know if it would be okay just to input my university or workplace address? Also phone number as well???? It's a bit weird to ask my 60-something year old male professor for their mobile number.

Ngl when this has come up for me, I usually enter the uni/work address and their work phone number
 
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