TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[just1TCwilldo]

It has to be completed at the first stage so they read your written application together with your test results

did you get an online report right after completing the ashurst test? I haven't gotten mine and I'm freaking out because I don't want to do it again😭

 

[uhfwejdj]

Has anyone got any tips for the Macfarlanes second assessment. Not sure what to expect

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone gotten the online assessment from Mayer Brown after submitting their application?

Isn't the test automatic?

 

[TCSeeker999]

I am also so confused on this, as they are all work experience for me, I simply put job description in paragraph and NA for achievements.

same with me. for experiences where i had 'achieved' certain things (mostly things that were quantifiable), i bullet pointed key statistics.

e.g Achievements:
- £X personally raised
- £X raised as a team

 

[Ukvs25]

Isn't the test automatic?

i thought it was but I applied a week ago and still haven't gotten a link to the online test

 

[londonlawyer]

Does anyone know if Hogan Lovells requires a 2.1 in every module or just a 2.1 overall?

 

[TC seeker]

Hey,

I am unsure of any specific policies law firms have on this as this will differ between firms. My personal view is to just not use it to write applications, to avoid such problems.

But sometimes the content that I wrote is also detected as AI-generated content..

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

i thought it was but I applied a week ago and still haven't gotten a link to the online test

Maybe they're sending it out in batches

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone know if Hogan Lovells requires a 2.1 in every module or just a 2.1 overall?

Hi @londonlawyer

I can't find any information online to suggest that Hogan Lovells require a 2:1 in every single module, just that you need a 2:1 degree overall and a strong academic record.

In practice, I would say that firms will focus on your overall profile. A couple of modules below a 2:1 typically won't sink your application if:

• Your overall degree classification is a 2:1 (or above)
• You submit a strong application, and
• You have demonstrated how your extracurricular activities and work experience are relevant.

I would focus on showing consistency where you can and building a strong candidate profile around your experiences and skills, as this will often weigh more heavily than the odd lower mark.

Best of luck!

 

[uhfwejdj]

Hi @londonlawyer

I can't find any information online to suggest that Hogan Lovells require a 2:1 in every single module, just that you need a 2:1 degree overall and a strong academic record.

In practice, I would say that firms will focus on your overall profile. A couple of modules below a 2:1 typically won't sink your application if:

• Your overall degree classification is a 2:1 (or above)
• You submit a strong application, and
• You have demonstrated how your extracurricular activities and work experience are relevant.

I would focus on showing consistency where you can and building a strong candidate profile around your experiences and skills, as this will often weigh more heavily than the odd lower mark.

Best of luck!

In the legal cheek open day they said it should be in every module.

 

[annalise.joyn]

for a&o, has anybody received excellent on both the verbal and numerical aspect on their feedback report or do they make one dark green and one light green to show you which your better at and which needs improvement on?

 

[norothrow324]

Did anyone else get a Taylor wessing email invite to the online test today?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

In the legal cheek open day they said it should be in every module.

Thank you for letting me know!

@londonlawyer - To clarify my original answer, unless you have mitigating circumstances, it may not be possible to meet the grade requirements for Hogan Lovells.

That said, most firms will take a holistic view of applications, and there are plenty of opportunities out there, so it is definitely not something to worry too much about!

 

[lawstudent2]

for a&o, has anybody received excellent on both the verbal and numerical aspect on their feedback report or do they make one dark green and one light green to show you which your better at and which needs improvement on?

I got excelled for both

 

[Sarah.lyon]

Hi - I'm applying for an open day at a firm that I also attended last year (but then did not go on to secure a training contract with). Is it okay to refer back to last year's open day when answering 'why would you like to attend the open day' eg. explaining what I found interesting at the open day and things the firm has done since then that I'm interested in learning more about, or would it be better not to reference it at all? I'm not sure if it would affect my chances by making it obvious that I attended an open day last year and didn't go on to get a TC!

 

[yueyueer]

Hey guys can I just check if Linklaters has changed their application form for the vac scheme as I don’t remember them asking for your work experience and hobbies/extracurriculars last year? I just want to make sure that I’m not hallucinating haha.

 

[Bread]

Hi - I'm applying for an open day at a firm that I also attended last year (but then did not go on to secure a training contract with). Is it okay to refer back to last year's open day when answering 'why would you like to attend the open day' eg. explaining what I found interesting at the open day and things the firm has done since then that I'm interested in learning more about, or would it be better not to reference it at all? I'm not sure if it would affect my chances by making it obvious that I attended an open day last year and didn't go on to get a TC!

I honestly don't see the point of reapplying to the open day if you've already attended, it's not like the firm will have changed much since last year, meaning that you will draw minimum benefit from attending. However if you do want to reapply, I would definitely avoid mentioning that you already attended one last year, because if I were recruitment I'd want to give someone who has not been the chance to attend and obtain the insights that you already have.

 

[norothrow324]

TW test invite

 

[Maddy]

For the question ‘How do your extracurricular activities align with a career at Paul, Weiss?’, how many activities should be mentioned? Can they include positions held in past and and academic/professional interests, or should they focus only on hobbies?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For the question ‘How do your extracurricular activities align with a career at Paul, Weiss?’, how many activities should be mentioned? Can they include positions held in past and and academic/professional interests, or should they focus only on hobbies?

Hi @Maddy !

That's a great question! I don't think there is a specific number of activities you need to mention. Last cycle, I was invited to a Paul, Weiss interview, and what worked for me was choosing a few meaningful examples (I'd say between 3 and 5) and showing how they connected to the firm's values (though the exact question has changed slightly since then).

You can definitely drawn on past positions and personal interests, as long as you can link them back to what Paul, Weiss look for in trainees. For example, I discussed being a committee member for university societies, participating in BIUCAC, and working as a student mentor.

The key is to relate each example to qualities Paul, Weiss emphasises on their website or recruitment materials. For instance, if I was answering the question this year, I could connect my BIUCAC experience to traits like continuous learning and having an entrepreneurial mindset. In practice, this could possibly look like:

"Through my participation in BIUCAC, I worked in a small group to analyse a complex commercial scenario involving a multi-jurisdictional acquisition for an energy company. We had to work under significant time pressure and respond to unseen questions from a panel of law firm partners. This not only demonstrated my commitment to continuous learning but also encouraged me to think creatively and take initiative, which are qualities that align with Paul, Weiss' emphasis on an entrepreneurial mindset"

I hope that helps!