TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Amma Usman]

I also did the final interview at Fried Frank!

This is great to hear! Wishing you all the best with that!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Lots of TC offers over the past 2 weeks?! You guys are amazing and truly inspirational. All very well deserved 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

 

[username10341034]

Hi all, I have a Cappfinity test to complete for Macfarlanes. Already received rejections from Shoosmiths, Mayer Brown and Kingsley Napley all after taking these tests. The feedback reports were quite generic. Does anyone have tips on them? I have taken the practice tests and not sure how to improve.

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Hi all, I have a Cappfinity test to complete for Macfarlanes. Already received rejections from Shoosmiths, Mayer Brown and Kingsley Napley all after taking these tests. The feedback reports were quite generic. Does anyone have tips on them? I have taken the practice tests and not sure how to improve.

I used this screenshot for the Macfarlanes one, I actually thought about my answers this time but I don’t know if I’ve passed or not but I thought it was very helpful 🙂

 

[babylawyer1942]

Is it recommended to give similar answers on your application form at the interview? For example, can you answer "why do you want to train at this firm" with the same points on your application form?

 

[Amma Usman]

Is it recommended to give similar answers on your application form at the interview? For example, can you answer "why do you want to train at this firm" with the same points on your application form?

Yes, it is expected your answer won’t change that much. Though bear in mind what you’d say in 20-30 minutes would definitely have to be longer and contain more novel points to what 200-300 words would confine you to in an application. Also ensure to not talk about your application answers verbatim and step out of the form slightly.

 

[MaryAra299]

To anyone who passed the online sjts for Macfarlanes and was selected to the next stage, what were your strengths and weakness. I am very confused about mine. I got personal responsibility, drive and credibility as my strengths and learning agility as my weakness- are these bad?

 

[legallyblonde18]

To anyone who passed the online sjts for Macfarlanes and was selected to the next stage, what were your strengths and weakness. I am very confused about mine. I got personal responsibility, drive and credibility as my strengths and learning agility as my weakness- are these bad?

have candidates been progressed to the next stage?

 

[legallady123]

@Amma Usman I wondered if you could possibly give me advice for an upcoming interview 😊 I am just preparing some competency examples and have some that I’d like to use but they are not recent, and also not related to law. I have worked in the legal industry for the last 3 years so could think of other relevant scenarios but would prefer to speak about some that happened at university / within part-time jobs I had at uni (retail, etc) for certain competencies. Do you think would be detrimental?

 

[Detachedhades]

I have seen a lot of people ask already, but just checking, has anyone heard back from Broadfield yet? Thanks!

 

[apap]

I got a TC offer earlier this week, which means my time on the forum comes to an end!! This has been such a great community and I’m so glad to have found it this year. I faced a lot of impostor syndrome during my 2 (and a bit?) cycles, because I have never had the highest grades / SJT scores, and wouldn’t consider myself the most commercially aware candidate etc. But all you need is that one yes. I can’t quite believe I now have it!! Keep going because all those nos will one day mean nothing. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck everyone!

First of all, congrats!

Secondly, your words are so reassuring but don't sell yourself so short. You worked hard and got there because of that.

 

[apap]

Do they screen the VIs on a rolling basis too? I thought it was just the application.

I am also curious about this. There is no indication of this on their website or when their AC(s) is/are

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

I am also curious about this. There is no indication of this on their website or when their AC(s) is/are

In the email inviting to me complete the VI, I was told that I would hear back within a month whether I was successful. So, some ACs will likely be held after 5th August (since 5th July was the deadline for submitting my VI).

 

[trainee4u]

I have seen a lot of people ask already, but just checking, has anyone heard back from Broadfield yet? Thanks!

nope.

worth noting that Broadfield is struggling as a business, so this might be a factor in this.

 

[T165]

Just did the Reed Smith SJT + VI as well, shot myself in the foot by doing it while sick, only scored 2/3 on numerical bc I couldn't understand the numbers on one of the questions. Also messed up on VI bc both my voice and brain are gone. No idea how they calculate the scores against each other; I'm kind of in a similar situation but with my numerical reasoning score being the issue instead

Finished Reed Smith’s SJT and VI and I’m absolutely gutted - got a 1 on Applied Intellect, have NO IDEA how… I got 6,7,7 for the other three, and high-high for verbal and numerical reasoning. Is there ANY way my other scores + VI could offset the 1? I felt like all of my VI questions went really well, I covered every aspect with good structures, but this 1 is painful to see..

Can’t believe that 1+ year of work went into this application with attending law fairs and their Open Day.. only to get the test after thinking it’s almost over and now this.. I worked all day on the tests and now I’m sure I’ll get rejected, haven’t heard of anyone progressing with a 1 in any of the areas..

Oh also RS was my first successful application this whole cycle (out of 20+ firms that flat out rejected me post application) because I’m based outside the UK and did my undergad at a non-UK uni too. I feel like it was my last chance this cycle..

 

[apap]

Just did the Reed Smith SJT + VI as well, shot myself in the foot by doing it while sick, only scored 2/3 on numerical bc I couldn't understand the numbers on one of the questions. Also messed up on VI bc both my voice and brain are gone. No idea how they calculate the scores against each other; I'm kind of in a similar situation but with my numerical reasoning score being the issue instead

Honestly i'm not sure if they use the VI to see if it can balance the SJT. I hope so because I got 0 in the creative force pillar whereas I placed high in the other three. Got 2/3 for verbal reasoning and 3/3 for numerical reasoning. In the VI I think I hit their core values and I had examples that displayed forward thinking (creative force) so hoping it balances out.

 

[apap]

Hi guys,

I am unsure if anyone else has been in the same situation but I thought its worth an ask.
How does one go about explaining that you achieved a first in your undergrad despite the percentage being 69.9 when your actual percentage should be 70.6 but the university scaled down your marks for a module?
(ik its not the best but i did everything I could for this grade while struggling with personal stuff and it feels absolutely shitty tbh given everything but it is what it is)

Any advice would be helpful!

I assumed all universities round up to give you the best result possible. Feels so catty they would keep you at 69.9???

 

[yueyueer]

Hey, can I please check if anyone else’s Macfarlanes SJT results state they’re for 2023-2024? Do I need to check if this is a mistake with grad rec

 

[T165]

Hi guys,

I am unsure if anyone else has been in the same situation but I thought its worth an ask.
How does one go about explaining that you achieved a first in your undergrad despite the percentage being 69.9 when your actual percentage should be 70.6 but the university scaled down your marks for a module?
(ik its not the best but i did everything I could for this grade while struggling with personal stuff and it feels absolutely shitty tbh given everything but it is what it is)

Any advice would be helpful!

Check your university's academic handbook's rules on final reward first. My uni has something they call the 2% rule which rounds up your final reward if you did well in final year, and all .5 scores are rounded up. (In other words, it's possible to achieve a first on your final reward document with a 68 weighted average) So, in conclusion, check the academic handbook's rounding rules, figure out how each module is weighed, how the final reward is calculated etc., and you should have your answer. If you already have your final reward document on Gradintelligence, go with whatever that says.

Most firms are just asking for the rounded figure anyway, so you're probably fine.

 

[amrita6399]

Honestly i'm not sure if they use the VI to see if it can balance the SJT. I hope so because I got 0 in the creative force pillar whereas I placed high in the other three. Got 2/3 for verbal reasoning and 3/3 for numerical reasoning. In the VI I think I hit their core values and I had examples that displayed forward thinking (creative force) so hoping it balances out.

I read somewhere, not sure where, but it said that RS considers the VI and SJT scores cumulatively. So I think it can balance out. Let's all hope for the best! 🤞