TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

ah sorry to hear that! I second this! applied intellect pillar is my worse too and I honestly am not too sure how to improve either because out of the options it feels like you either choose between that or options that are least effective at completing work at the required deadlines😭

I will try to work with AI on improving my scores because I couldn't find any normal free prep online... Like sometimes I get around 6/7 around the pillars, and other times I get as low as 1 loool. Don't know what to do with that!

 

[sixsevenislife]

Can I ask for advice on mishcon test please it is the first application i have progressed with

 

[itsallgoodman]

HSFK Spring PFO :/

 

[floral.tcla]

that pillar was my lowest usually too but i practiced with this pack someone here recommended and i managed to increase the score in it by 2 hope it helps x https://aptitude-test-prep.com/test-providers/amberjack-assessment/

ah thank you so much!

 

[abc124]

hi sorry do u mind me asking what ur overall score was? x

It was 16 (with a 1/9 in applied intellect lol 😭). As a side note, it may just be me but I'd be careful with online guides because I usually get 22-25 but really wanted to improve for the weil amberjack, bought some guide online, and ended up with this awful score lol

Edit: just saw you used some online prep, disregard it then it's probably just a me thing haha

 

[floral.tcla]

I will try to work with AI on improving my scores because I couldn't find any normal free prep online... Like sometimes I get around 6/7 around the pillars, and other times I get as low as 1 loool. Don't know what to do with that!

yeah there definitely can be an element of luck and not knowing what specific traits firms look for look like in practice until you get there😅

 

[tcla02]

It was 16 (with a 1/9 in applied intellect lol 😭). As a side note, it may just be me but I'd be careful with online guides because I usually get 22-25 but really wanted to improve for the weil amberjack, bought some guide online, and ended up with this awful score lol

oh my god i KNEW I WAS RIGHT IN HAVING THIS FEAR!!! 😭😭😭😭 i was so scared of the pack

edit: i think you may be wrong in thinking it’s a you thing because i practiced using 2 diff packs and both had conflicting info that confused me

 

[Zimpakos]

Is there a video component to Mishcon's Amberjack test? Thanks.

 

[elle woods]

This application cycle is good training for patience...oh how I wish I could just hear back from every single firm right at this moment 😭 bombard my inbox oh dear shining law firms in white armour! This damsel is in distress 🎠

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Weil PFO today - am I correct in thinking that's it's because I didn't get a minimum passing score on the SJT? So it's not necessarily the contents of the rest of the application?

Then again I remember thinking that Weil didn't have much written application content to show my commercial awareness as a career changer so it was a long shot anyway

 

[abc124]

oh my god i KNEW I WAS RIGHT IN HAVING THIS FEAR!!! 😭😭😭😭 i was so scared of the pack

If it helped you improve your score by 2 I think it may be working for you!! Just maybe try to mix it with your own intuition + experience. I think I relied too heavily on the guide and didn't trust my intuition at all during the test which was stupid in retrospect

 

[CuriousTrainee]

Quite confused here on DLA's way of sending out PFOs, TIs and ACs for the ldn office. Surely after 5 weeks of completing the WG they would've let us know by now if it were a PFO? Right?

 

[Mikeross750]

Quite confused here on DLA's way of sending out PFOs, TIs and ACs for the ldn office. Surely after 5 weeks of completing the WG they would've let us know by now if it were a PFO? Right?

They just let me know with a PFO 3 mins ago ahah

 

[ninarosee]

Quite confused here on DLA's way of sending out PFOs, TIs and ACs for the ldn office. Surely after 5 weeks of completing the WG they would've let us know by now if it were a PFO? Right?

Yeah that’s what I thought as well but someone got a TI invite today so now I’m not sure anymore

 

[elle woods]

Quite confused here on DLA's way of sending out PFOs, TIs and ACs for the ldn office. Surely after 5 weeks of completing the WG they would've let us know by now if it were a PFO? Right?

Some firms seem really slow on it... e.g. I did my HL stage 1 test like 7 weeks ago at this point and people have already gone onto stage 2 ages ago, but I've not heard news, good or bad, from them since 😭

It's defo a PFO though, I just wish they'd send it on so I can close that door completely

 

[FutureTrainee100]

Congrats on stage 2! It’s a WG (I’ve done it so I know), I’m pretty sure there’s no VI afterwards. Next stage would be an AC

So no application, only stage 1 then stage 2 (WG) and then AC?? They judge solely on grades and assessments?? Also do you know if they are rolling?

 

[ninarosee]

Some firms seem really slow on it... e.g. I did my HL stage 1 test like 7 weeks ago at this point and people have already gone onto stage 2 ages ago, but I've not heard news, good or bad, from them since 😭

True I applied to Gibson in early September and only heard back over 4 months later in late December 😅

 

[Bbhu19]

Weil PFO today - am I correct in thinking that's it's because I didn't get a minimum passing score on the SJT? So it's not necessarily the contents of the rest of the application?

Then again I remember thinking that Weil didn't have much written application content to show my commercial awareness as a career changer so it was a long shot anyway

Went to the open day and they said the VI is where you should really highlight your experiences as they don’t have a work experience section, and it was to make it an even playing field supposedly

 

[Ay__n05]

Fieldfisher Insight Scheme PFO today

 

[sadlawyer01]

Whilst, I really appreciate your advice on my chances of making it for HSF AC from your personal experience, I do not appreciate you saying not to apply to any competitive firms not only because I feel that’s unfair to me but unfair to a lot of candidates who have been applying since many cycles and one message like this can dishearten a lot of them . A candidate is not “lucky” if they make it with average grades but it takes a lot of hard work, part time roles, work experience, street smartness, etc and maybe 10% luck to get a vac scheme or tc. I say this because that is how I got my legal work experience year at a top silver circle firm.
Whilst, DEI is very important and should be considered (I am a female, ethnic minority) I do not think if a candidate doesn’t fall into the DEI bracket with average grades will have low chances.
I am building my profile every minute and getting work experience everyday as a recent graduate

Just to add to this, I have made it to MacFarlanes stage 2, fresh fields stage 2, Latham stage 2, eversheds Vi, kennedys test, Bclp ac (last year) with these same grades so don’t give up hope . I wrote this message about HSF because I was very stressed and tired of this process like everyone else and wanted some info if someone has had grades like me and still progressed

Edit - thank you everyone for your kind messages, I love this community❤

btw how did you get a year's experience at a SC firm as a law student?