TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Also, is it worth applying to W&C even though I have mitigating circumstances at A-levels and don't meet their minimum? I haven't seen anyone get in with them, not to mention even the best of them get rejected so I'm having serious doubts.

Hey!

If you have genuine mitigating circumstances, I definitely think it is worth applying - firms will take those into account when assessing your application! If you are able to write a strong answers to the application questions and have included clear reflections and insights in your work experience section, I think it is unlikely that they'll reject you based on your A-Level grades.

As long as you explain your circumstances clearly and show strong performance elsewhere (for example, in your university grades or other education), it is definitely worth a shot. You are not necessarily out of the running just because you don't meet the minimum grade requirements, as that is why the mitigating circumstances section exists!

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

I've just been invited to AC with Paynes Hicks Beach. Does anyone have any insight they might be willing to share? I've been told the AC day includes a group exercise and short written exercises but there is otherwise quite limited information on what is involved in their assessments. Several written exercises sounds a bit daunting tbh!

 

[Applicant7874652]

Anyone have ideas on when we can expect an update from K&S for DTC

 

[username10341034]

Completed the Mayer Brown SJT. It is not too bad at all - although i think my performance in the VIs was pretty average and likely not enough to get through. I got high verbal and numerical, 27/36 for the pillars. Not sure if that would be high enough to meet their benchmark. Any insight would be helpful!

 

[hopeful33]

Hi! Does anyone have any insight into the mayer brown test? Specifically:

• is there time bewteen the SJT and VI?
• Is there a watson glaser component?
• How much time do you have between each VI question?

any insight is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[username10341034]

Hi! Does anyone have any insight into the mayer brown test? Specifically:

• is there time bewteen the SJT and VI?
• Is there a watson glaser component?
• How much time do you have between each VI question?

any insight is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hi

- There is a break between the SJT and VI, it gives you a chance to pause before pressing continue with the VI.
- I’m not sure what you mean by Watson glaser, unless you mean the type of test? If so, it is not a Watson glaser test, it’s amberjack. The structure is a combination of multiple choice scenario questions to test verbal reasoning and also quite a few numerical questions intertwined. There are also questions which test your ability to evaluate the information correctly.
- there is no time between each VI question, the timer only starts when you press forward to continue. So you can pause and take a break whenever. For the first two questions, you have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes for the recording. The last two questions, you have unlimited prep time and again 2 mins for the recording.

Hope that helps! It was not too difficult/any out of the ordinary questions so you will be fine

 

[hopeful33]

Hi

- There is a break between the SJT and VI, it gives you a chance to pause before pressing continue with the VI.
- I’m not sure what you mean by Watson glaser, unless you mean the type of test? If so, it is not a Watson glaser test, it’s amberjack. The structure is a combination of multiple choice scenario questions to test verbal reasoning and also quite a few numerical questions intertwined. There are also questions which test your ability to evaluate the information correctly.
- there is no time between each VI question, the timer only starts when you press forward to continue. So you can pause and take a break whenever. For the first two questions, you have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes for the recording. The last two questions, you have unlimited prep time and again 2 mins for the recording.

Hope that helps! It was not too difficult/any out of the ordinary questions so you will be fine

thank you so much, I really appreciate your answer

 

[radssss]

+ FYI, they don’t sponsor visa either.. you must have the right to work for the LBA.

Thank you that’s helpful! Do you know how long is is the LBA programme?

Also when do the apps for the next cohort start and when does the programme begin?

 

[JunoCarpenter]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VS I don't think it is possible to take a day out from VS coz the firm expects full attendance. What should I do in this situation?

is this the DTC AC for Bristol or London?

 

[lowkeyloser]

@lowkeyloser Hi! Have you heard from Arnold & Porter? As far as I am concerned, I have not.

I haven't had a response yet. The recruitment brochure says that interviews for direct TC's will take place in March and April. So if we don't hear back by the end of this month we can expect an eventual PFO.

 

[rs_2002!]

Hogan Lovells update anyone?

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know when King & Spalding might send responses for the applications?

 

[stew99]

I heard back from them a couple of hours ago having completed the proofreading exercise over the weekend. Hopefully, you'll hear back from them soon post the SJT

what were your high and low strengths if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[nicoledm]

got offered an AC for a firm but not my first choice of location, very conflicted

 

[ADhillon01]

Is Shoosmiths a Capp test? Need to find the time to complete it today.

 

[Alaa]

Brabners AC!

 

[nicoledm]

Brabners AC!

When did you do your VI?

 

[Alaa]

When did you do your VI?

I did mine on 21st March

 

[nicoledm]

I did mine on 21st March

thank you and congrats!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Does anyone know when King & Spalding might send responses for the applications?

I had a look at last years thread and it seems they closed apps on 24 Feb, sent ACs March 27 and PFOs March 31, with ACs held on the 6, 7 and 8 of April, and final int invites sent out about 2 weeks or so later and held in May.

Obvs this year the deadline was 30 March but they still plan on holding ACs in April and final int’s in May. So I imagine ACs would be out latest next Friday. But people might’ve heard back from K&S alr and just haven’t posted lmao.

Guess we’ll find out soon enough. It’s only 4 TCs so it’s gna be proper tough and selective. Hoping it’s a miracle AC though ngl that’d be so cool!​