TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[loaf]

Any V&E VI insights would be really appreciated!

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I score above the 95th percentile every time I do it, it is antithetical to actual critical thinking to have a set of ridiculous rules that don't apply to real multifaceted issues. It is testing your ability to follow a process. I would also add to this that my final year project in a highly theoretical science subject was just recently published, not to brag but because I find the idea that taking a philosophy class and reading books will unlock some form of critical thinking truly present in a ridiculously (and scientifically) flawed test.

I congratulate you for that. I'm sure you are very smart (I'm saying that unironically - I appreciate it sounds sarcastic).
At the same time, there are transferable skills. Of course, in real life for application understanding and following strong meaning is more important than following weak/literal meaning. But identifying specific arguments alone is a skill that the majority of the population lack, even before identifying argument strength. Im sure from a science background, you might be good at it. But the majority of people are not currently good, and it's part of the reason that people get away with bad arguments all the time in the real world. Of course, the WG tests generally don't present arguments in the best way, but it is still testing for something. "Pancakes and waffles" or so the twitter saying goes.

Reading a block of text and identifying what it is saying in the text is also a skill. Again, in real life identifying strong meaning is just as important as identifying literal meaning - but the majority of people, when presented with a news article or scientific article often misinterprete it, or extrapolate false information that isn't in it. That's what that skill is testing.

Deductive reasoning is again a skill that many people lack. Again, in practice it's not the same as WG - it's much more complicated. But the theory is, if you can't learn it to the extent of doing it on a WG, probably it's not something you'd be good at on a large scale. I see the value in the way it's tested...

But feel free to agree to disagree on this. I will always die on the hill that they are much more objective than SJTs.

Edit: I admit it's flawed. But it's a much more objective test than SJT. For me though, the more objective test I've taken so far I think is the Osborne Clarke verbal and deductive reasoning tests, even if it was more about handling time pressure than anything.

 

[solicitor_2028]

how do you submit the Cleary application? I received the email and says the link will expire by the EOD. I still have to polish my cover letter. Can I generate another link on the website or what?? I'm so confused

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

WBD online test invite, needed it as have been ghosted by all of the other firms i have applied to.

 

[whywhy88]

how do you submit the Cleary application? I received the email and says the link will expire by the EOD. I still have to polish my cover letter. Can I generate another link on the website or what?? I'm so confused

Yeah you can generate another I've generated like three haha

 

[T. Rainee]

Hello!

I was in a similar(ish) situation last cycle with my Reed Smith AC, as the only available dates I could see were during a vacation scheme I was on. I would definitely email the firm to explain that you are unavailable on that AC date, and politely ask if there are any other available dates - some firms release them in batches, so you may be able to wait to book an AC in a later batch

Thanks so much Abbie!

 

[HM_faux]

I got 25 but my spread is 6,9,1,9 so probably a bit cooked haha

I just did mine and got 23 overall so definitely not holding my breath! 6,6,7,4.

I got 4 in grit but 7 in applied intellect …

First amberjack assessment ever so can’t complain😭

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

WGT is ironically not a test of critical thinking lol. I actually think if you critically think too hard the answers become unclear but someone who thinks in a surface level manner will just select the right choice, although they admittedly are the winners here. On the job, I bet it becomes far less clear.

There was a whole discussion about this a few days ago (maybe last week) and I agree. But maybe I am also biased cause I just hate them lol.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

There are very clear strategies to different WG tests. I recently took a philosophy argument refresher course (I studied PPE at uni), with a lot of deep thinking etc, and now WG feels much clearer to me (and has at least improved in practice tests).

I think if you've studied the nature of argument in philosophy, then you avoid many of the "over-thinking traps" and thinking critically helps. It's when you are thinking without strategy/understanding the specific logical process that WG is testing for that it becomes more difficult. If you haven't studied philosophy, or critical thinking at University, I would be happy to recommend a few books that helped me out. If not though, practice tests & random youtube tutorials tend to help a lot.

Would love some recommendations!

 

[DoNotRedeem]

I congratulate you for that. I'm sure you are very smart (I'm saying that unironically - I appreciate it sounds sarcastic).
At the same time, there are transferable skills. Of course, in real life for application understanding and following strong meaning is more important than following weak/literal meaning. But identifying specific arguments alone is a skill that the majority of the population lack, even before identifying argument strength. Im sure from a science background, you might be good at it. But the majority of people are not currently good, and it's part of the reason that people get away with bad arguments all the time in the real world. Of course, the WG tests generally don't present arguments in the best way, but it is still testing for something. "Pancakes and waffles" or so the twitter saying goes.

Reading a block of text and identifying what it is saying in the text is also a skill. Again, in real life identifying strong meaning is just as important as identifying literal meaning - but the majority of people, when presented with a news article or scientific article often misinterprete it, or extrapolate false information that isn't in it. That's what that skill is testing.

Deductive reasoning is again a skill that many people lack. Again, in practice it's not the same as WG - it's much more complicated. But the theory is, if you can't learn it to the extent of doing it on a WG, probably it's not something you'd be good at on a large scale. I see the value in the way it's tested...

But feel free to agree to disagree on this. I will always die on the hill that they are much more objective than SJTs.

Edit: I admit it's flawed. But it's a much more objective test than SJT. For me though, the more objective test I've taken so far I think is the Osborne Clarke verbal and deductive reasoning tests, even if it was more about handling time pressure than anything.

Realistically, if we wanted a fully objective test it would be a typical Cattell-Horn-Carroll type IQ test, but no law firm is stupid enough to do that. I think a scenario based interview where one guides the interviewer through their thought process (law or not) is the most objective way to actually test critical thinking. There is no handrails, no prep time just you and two partners and a scenario and you need to answer it in the moment.

 

[SubpoenaColada]

I’m in a VS WhatsApp group and someone said this:

“If it’s like the neurosight I’ve done before it was like a sentence appears on screen like what’s most important to you/would you rather type quick Qs and there’s four answers to choose from, you hover on one of them and it submits straight away to next Q to try catch ur first instinct”

omg thanks, I'm such a hoverer too so I'll be mindful when I do it!

 

[amb303]

Don’t lose hope!
I applied on the deadline and they sent me the sjt after 3 days so I’m assuming they’re still reviewing apps/sjts and it’s taking time coz loads of people must have applied on deadline day .

Im in the same boat. I will say though, we might not hear back from them for a long time if they’re not progressing us. Last year I made it to SJT shortly after the January deadline and didn’t get PFO’d until summer

 

[radssss]

Im in the same boat. I will say though, we might not hear back from them for a long time if they’re not progressing us. Last year I made it to SJT shortly after the January deadline and didn’t get PFO’d until summer

That is crazy!!

 

[trainee4u]

what would you wear to this?


- Group Task: You’ll participate in a group activity and presentation (no preparation needed; instructions will be provided on the day).
- Mini "Speed" Interview: You’ll have an informal chat with an assessor lasting 10-15 minutes. Make the most of this opportunity to share about yourself!
- Q&A Session: I’ll be available for any questions you have about the firm or the process.

Dress Code: Smart casual is perfect; no need for a suit.

I'm thinking suit, right?

 

[amb303]

That is crazy!!

Yeah for sure 😂

 

[saltpepper]

Bakers VI! If you've done this please send me a message !!

Did you also receive a feedback report this morning? I did and I'm trying to figure out if it was sent instead of a rejection lol

 

[lelezb1]

How many questions does the Baker's VI have? The email says it won't take more than 15 mins to complete

 

[lelezb1]

Did you also receive a feedback report this morning? I did and I'm trying to figure out if it was sent instead of a rejection lol

I received one this morning and got the VI invite in the evening

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Realistically, if we wanted a fully objective test it would be a typical Cattell-Horn-Carroll type IQ test, but no law firm is stupid enough to do that. I think a scenario based interview where one guides the interviewer through their thought process (law or not) is the most objective way to actually test critical thinking. There is no handrails, no prep time just you and two partners and a scenario and you need to answer it in the moment.

Of course scenario based interviews are ideal, just unfeasible to conduct on the scale of applications. Even using junior associates, let alone partners, is impossible until the candidates are filtered from thousands to a couple hundred or so. The tests exist to cut a large % of candidates to a manageable candidates. Even to read the application forms is time consuming, and really grades aren't a good differentiator amoungst a field of strong academic candidates. If I could wish for any test, no matter the feasibility of assigning a test, then of course I wouldn't wish for a WG. But feasibility / and ease of testing is important to firms when considering tests.

The SJT imo is the least good test option to do that. I still think the best (that I have taken) are the Osborne Clarke Verbal & deductive tests (and I'll still say that even if I get rejected from the tests).

Would love some recommendations!

Will DM you tomorrow! Also have some PDFs that might be helpful

 

[radssss]

what would you wear to this?


- Group Task: You’ll participate in a group activity and presentation (no preparation needed; instructions will be provided on the day).
- Mini "Speed" Interview: You’ll have an informal chat with an assessor lasting 10-15 minutes. Make the most of this opportunity to share about yourself!
- Q&A Session: I’ll be available for any questions you have about the firm or the process.

Dress Code: Smart casual is perfect; no need for a suit.

I'm thinking suit, right?

Yea, I would still wear a suit (especially men).
I don’t think something like a quarter zipper and a shirt under with pants would hurt tho!

Also this ac sounds pretty interesting! Which firm is this for?