• WIN: Lunch with Willkie Trainees!
    15 Oct 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Put your knowledge of Willkie Farr & Gallagher to the test in this interactive quiz session. The winner will enjoy lunch with Willkie trainees!
    Register on Zoom →

Macfarlanes second online assessment- job simulation

raymokhan

Active Member
Aug 1, 2025
14
5
I just progressed to the second assessment for Macfarlanes (the job simulation one). If anyone has advice about how to approach that I would be very grateful! I don't know if they just introduced it this year and it confusingly says it is both timed and not timed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: uhfwejdj

LaDiva

Active Member
Premium Member
Jul 7, 2025
12
4
I just progressed to the second assessment for Macfarlanes (the job simulation one). If anyone has advice about how to approach that I would be very grateful! I don't know if they just introduced it this year and it confusingly says it is both timed and not timed.
Congratulations on making it so far!! I don't really have any input but would love some advice from you regarding the application? Thanks again and best wishes!!
 

raymokhan

Active Member
Aug 1, 2025
14
5
Congratulations on making it so far!! I don't really have any input but would love some advice from you regarding the application? Thanks again and best wishes!!
Sure, basically there's loads of SJT and a short Watson glaser style test (no video questions). For the SJT, first read what macfarlanes are looking for in trainees (e.g they want proactive go-getters who like taking responsbility and not sitting on the sidelines). For all the situational judgement questions, you had to rank them from 1 to 5, 1 being how you would most react. For every question, I cross-referenced the context of the question with what Macfarlanes were looking for, then ranked it.

For example, if a question was like, "you've finished all your work and have nothing to do" and the responses were 1) Wait for someone to come to you, 2) Look up from your desk to see if anyone needs help or 3) send an email to your partner asking if there's anything you can help with, I checked on the Macfarlanes website that they wanted trainees to take responsbility. So I then ranked 3), 2) 1). I did this for every question and got a good feedback report so I guess this worked out. Plus, the entire assessment isn't timed so you can take as much time as you want.

I don't have any tips for the Watson Glaser Qs because I'm not very good at them lol, but I used the unlimited time limit to slowly check through all my answers.

Hope this was helpful!
 

Sunshinepink

Legendary Member
Premium Member
  • Feb 1, 2023
    262
    232
    I just progressed to the second assessment for Macfarlanes (the job simulation one). If anyone has advice about how to approach that I would be very grateful! I don't know if they just introduced it this year and it confusingly says it is both timed and not timed.
    Congrats! Can I ask, what was the turn around time from completing the oral application to receiving the second online assessment email?
     

    raymokhan

    Active Member
    Aug 1, 2025
    14
    5
    Pretty much the next day, I think they assess the first online assessment automatically, cos i received an email on Sunday saying I progressed. Can't say for sure though
     

    LaDiva

    Active Member
    Premium Member
    Jul 7, 2025
    12
    4
    Sure, basically there's loads of SJT and a short Watson glaser style test (no video questions). For the SJT, first read what macfarlanes are looking for in trainees (e.g they want proactive go-getters who like taking responsbility and not sitting on the sidelines). For all the situational judgement questions, you had to rank them from 1 to 5, 1 being how you would most react. For every question, I cross-referenced the context of the question with what Macfarlanes were looking for, then ranked it.

    For example, if a question was like, "you've finished all your work and have nothing to do" and the responses were 1) Wait for someone to come to you, 2) Look up from your desk to see if anyone needs help or 3) send an email to your partner asking if there's anything you can help with, I checked on the Macfarlanes website that they wanted trainees to take responsbility. So I then ranked 3), 2) 1). I did this for every question and got a good feedback report so I guess this worked out. Plus, the entire assessment isn't timed so you can take as much time as you want.

    I don't have any tips for the Watson Glaser Qs because I'm not very good at them lol, but I used the unlimited time limit to slowly check through all my answers.

    Hope this was helpful!
    Thank you so much for your detailed input! Did you get round to completing the second assessment?
     

    LaDiva

    Active Member
    Premium Member
    Jul 7, 2025
    12
    4
    Hey guys, has anyone heard back from the third assessment? Completed it like 1 and a half weeks ago but only got the feedback report
    I've recently completed mine, haven't yet received the feedback report though, was it any useful? Which practice areas interest you most? I'm into private client work, so my next stop is Forsters, currently working on the application.
     
    Last edited:

    eleanor.teh

    New Member
    Feb 7, 2024
    3
    0
    I'm just completed it. It's an online trainee simulation, basically a mixture of video response, writing, and SJT. The video responses are timed, but not for anything else. There are also some motivational video questions. I messed up quite a few questions unfortunately so don't think I'll be getting it :(

    I think just remember to review all the resources they give you, don't panic when it's timed, and just absorb and analyse what you can.
     

    lawninja00!

    Standard Member
  • Aug 3, 2023
    7
    3
    I'm just completed it. It's an online trainee simulation, basically a mixture of video response, writing, and SJT. The video responses are timed, but not for anything else. There are also some motivational video questions. I messed up quite a few questions unfortunately so don't think I'll be getting it :(

    I think just remember to review all the resources they give you, don't panic when it's timed, and just absorb and analyse what you can.
    Hi, how long after completing the first online test (that is automatic), did it take for you to receive the invite to the job sim?
     

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.