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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hey!
I'm sorry to hear that you felt it didn't go very well, and I'm sure it went better than you think! We tend to ruminate on the elements that we think went wrong, but it's likely that you did a lot of things right as well! I remember thinking I did terribly in a group task in one of the virtual ACs that I completed, and I ended up receiving a VS offer afterwards - try to remain optimistic if you can!
I have written some previous posts on group exercises, which I have quoted below. I hope they are useful when you are preparing for your next assessment - wishing you the best of luck with it!
Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !
Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!
In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!
Group Exercise
- In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
- Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
- Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
- If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.
Case Study Interview
I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.
- You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
- Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
- They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
- Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
- If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change if X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.
At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.
Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!
Hello!
First of all, huge congratulations on being invited to the PwC virtual AC - that's an amazing achievement! Whilst I'm not too sure on the specifics of PwC's AC, I can share some general advice when it comes to preparing for a virtual assessment centre, as I completed a few last cycle. I have also quoted some of my previous posts below that discuss other assessment types that might be useful, as I wasn't too sure what is involved in the PwC AC.
Some general tips:
Most importantly, be yourself! Focus on showing how you think and work with others when you are performing at your best, rather than trying to be "perfect" overall. Firms are often looking for potential, not perfection!
- Prepare the basics: you may have already been doing this, but make sure you understand PwC's values, business areas, and the current market issues that will affect them. You don't need to know absolutely everything (so try not to panic!), but it's good to have an awareness of what PwC does so that you can link this to why you are interested
- For group exercises: usually, the focus of the group exercise isn't actually what you say - it is how you interact and communicate with the others around you. Focus on being collaborative rather than trying to dominate the conversation - I always tried to be neither the quietest nor the loudest (which can be a tricky balance!). I found this particularly challenging for virtual ACs where it can be difficult to get the timing right, but try to listen actively and build on others' ideas. When you do present your part of the group exercise, make sure to clearly explain your reasoning and thought process!
- For interviews: if you are asked competency questions, it's always helpful to have the STAR structure in the back of your mind, and have a few examples ready that show teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. As part of my preparation for assessment centres, I used to spend an hour or so just noting down all my experiences and what skills / competencies came out of each. This means you aren't desperately racking your brain for examples in the moment!
- Virtual elements: it sounds silly, but make sure that you test your technology beforehand (i.e. WiFi, camera, microphone) and choose a quiet space - I even made sure to let all of my housemates know so that none of them disturbed me. I would make sure that you have water and a notebook nearby, as you never know when you might need to jot something down.
Everyone is nervous going into ACs, so you're definitely not alone! You've earned your place there by excelling in the process so far - so just go into it and try your best
Just checking W&C people - silence still for the spring and summer VS?
people have said they could take a few weeks to get back after the AC
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name a worse feeling than when checking your interviewer on linkedin and seeing they went to an elite private boarding school then did classics at oxbridge 💀
I'm looking at the application form for lee bolton and it asks for a cv, cover letter, and application form. thing is, the application form asks for all kinds of details that would appear in a cv + cover letter, such as grades, work experience, and motivation for the firm. does anyone have any insight into this?
Has anyone received a PFO from Bristows post partner review? Haven't received WE yet but also haven't been PFOed
The SQE would be done in Sept 27 and would last a year before commencing the TC in 2028. I think the timeline would look like this:
July 2026: graduate from university
Sept 2027: start the SQE
Aug 2028: finish the SQE
September 2028: start the TC
September 2030: qualification
Some larger firms tend to have spaces for earlier intakes so you could start the SQE in Sept 2026 and the TC in Sept 2027, but it’s not guaranteed.
But if you’re a non-law student, you’d be doing the GDL from Sept 2026 to July 2027, before the SQE in Sept 2027 to Aug 2028. Then TC Sept 2028.
July 2026: graduate from university
Sept 2027: start the SQE
Aug 2028: finish the SQE
September 2028: start the TC
September 2030: qualification
Some larger firms tend to have spaces for earlier intakes so you could start the SQE in Sept 2026 and the TC in Sept 2027, but it’s not guaranteed.
But if you’re a non-law student, you’d be doing the GDL from Sept 2026 to July 2027, before the SQE in Sept 2027 to Aug 2028. Then TC Sept 2028.
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3rd cycle stats (had 1 fluke AC last year but never got further than a WG apart from that):
- 5 ACs
- 3 Rejections
- 2 offers
- 1 TC accepted
3rd cycle stats (had 1 fluke AC last year but never got further than a WG apart from that):
Farewell TCLA, what a ride! Keep going guys, all you need is 1 yes and it is closer than you think! Best of luck everyone
- 5 ACs
- 3 Rejections
- 2 offers
- 1 TC accepted
They are interviewing rest of Feb so potentially only get news end of the month
Does anyone have any tips to calm interview / pre-AC nerves and just get over really bad imposter syndrome?
Hi if you are not in a public place listen to a music you love and dance ! I feel it helps.
Otherwise just remember everyone is probably feeling the same as you and interviewers have been in your place before so there is no reason you are not good enough. You got there, you can make it !!
Huge congratulations! This is giving me hope bc I’m almost coming to the end of my second cycle but with no ACs 😔3rd cycle stats (had 1 fluke AC last year but never got further than a WG apart from that):
Farewell TCLA, what a ride! Keep going guys, all you need is 1 yes and it is closer than you think! Best of luck everyone
- 5 ACs
- 3 Rejections
- 2 offers
- 1 TC accepted
Has anyone heard back from Addleshaw after the critical thinking test they sent. I have not heard anything since Jan. Is it worth following up with them by this point ?
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