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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Chelsea101

Esteemed Member
  • Aug 7, 2023
    91
    185
    Do you know when they send it? I have only received a link for the behavioural assessment so far- nothing else!

    Same here ! Pure STJ, no VI. It is so weird that everyone seems to be receiving different tests for the same OD!

    What do you think? Will we receive one soon? or Did we get away with it for good?

    Just trying to prepare myself mentally because it sounds too good to be true so any thoughts would help!

    Very odd indeed! Idk what to think now since everyone has a different account
     

    safari3

    Distinguished Member
    Mar 28, 2024
    52
    59
    Sorry to hear that on TW but a positive on Milbank. When did you do your TW test? I’ve not heard anything back and did it about 4 weeks ago
    TW aren’t actually rolling in the standard sense. If you haven’t heard back yet post test that means you passed but you won’t hear back re progression to written assessment until after the deadline :)
     

    Amgrad

    Esteemed Member
    Oct 2, 2025
    79
    99
    Sorry to hear that on TW but a positive on Milbank. When did you do your TW test? I’ve not heard anything back and did it about 4 weeks ago
    Someone here said if you don't get a PFO until the deadline, it's likely you've been progressed.

    If you fail the test, they will send you an email immediately.

    I personally waiting for the end of their taster week - open days till Friday to submit my app as I'd like to add some insights for my cover letter.

    And for Milbank, I just submitted it mins ago
     
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    johnsmith

    Legendary Member
  • Oct 2, 2025
    192
    214
    TW aren’t actually rolling in the standard sense. If you haven’t heard back yet post test that means you passed but you won’t hear back re progression to written assessment until after the deadline :)
    Someone here said if you don't get a PFO until the deadline, it's likely you've been progressed.

    If you fail the test, they will send you an email immediately.

    I personally waiting for the end of their taster week - open days till Friday to submit my app as I'd like to add some insights for my cover letter.

    And for Milbank, I just submitted it mins ago
    Oh awesome, thank you both for sharing that. That was a really hard test. Happy to hear a positive result.
     

    johnsmith

    Legendary Member
  • Oct 2, 2025
    192
    214
    Does the Milbank test have VIs?
    If you click help centre in the email, the provider is shortlist.me - just used that system for Bristows IP workshop, it was just VIs, they gave you 20 seconds to prep, so it was short and sharp questions.
    Their employer section of their website shows they have other things though as it's talks about crafting an immersive experience: https://www.shortlist.me/employers
     

    lawyersum

    Legendary Member
    Jun 28, 2024
    257
    410
    Who is their provider?

    Haven’t clicked on the link yet as I’m not near my laptop atm. But I have clicked the tips for preparation link which took me straight to the firm’s website, specifically the page where they say what skills they look for candidates. I know previously the test was Amberjack, the classic mix of SJT, verbal and numerical questions with VI at the end. But now I’m not sure it’s that…30 minutes doesn’t seem like enough time to complete a whole Amberjack!
     

    johnsmith

    Legendary Member
  • Oct 2, 2025
    192
    214
    Haven’t clicked on the link yet as I’m not near my laptop atm. But I have clicked the tips for preparation link which took me straight to the firm’s website, specifically the page where they say what skills they look for candidates. I know previously the test was Amberjack, the classic mix of SJT, verbal and numerical questions with VI at the end. But now I’m not sure it’s that…30 minutes doesn’t seem like enough time to complete a whole Amberjack!
    I really hope it is Amberjack! By far my favourite out of all the ones I've done for the mix of tasks
    Does the Milbank test have VIs?
    The grad brochure indicates the next stage is a critical thinking test so perhaps shortlist.me offers that as well.
     

    BT0901

    Well-Known Member
    Nov 26, 2022
    24
    72
    If you click help centre in the email, the provider is shortlist.me - just used that system for Bristows IP workshop, it was just VIs, they gave you 20 seconds to prep, so it was short and sharp questions.
    Their employer section of their website shows they have other things though as it's talks about crafting an immersive experience: https://www.shortlist.me/employers
    That is really helpful, thank you. Were the questions motivational or competency-based?
     

    Lawlife5

    Well-Known Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 30, 2023
    23
    31
    Hi @Andrei Radu in terms of identifying USPs that do not apply to another firm, how would you even find this (even with deep research, events etc) as a lot of firms work in same practice areas etc? Is it not sufficient enough to just mention what the firm does and therefore that makes it tailored to the firm? I am quite confused and I feel the whole USP part is slowing me down
     
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    baj5

    Distinguished Member
    Oct 19, 2023
    60
    113
    I really hope it is Amberjack! By far my favourite out of all the ones I've done for the mix of tasks

    The grad brochure indicates the next stage is a critical thinking test so perhaps shortlist.me offers that as well.
    If it is any help, if you click on the Get Help button at the end of the invite email and click participant in the website it is all about VIs….
     

    Abbie Whitlock

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 11, 2025
    346
    301
    Can I ask how you approached your Reed Smith VI questions? I did it last year and thought I hit the four pillars the Amberjack assessment is testing you on but got rejected and I chocked it up to be because of my SJT results because i got a whopping 0 for creative mindset and high scores everywhere else. Either that, or my VI was not focused on being a trainee enough.

    Would be good to know from your experience as you are a furure trainee there.
    Hey!

    Sure, happy to share how I approached the VI!

    In general for video interviews, it's really important to make sure that you are fully answering the question and that any examples that you use actually fit with the question. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best (even if it is a less 'substantive' experience)

    Another main thing I did was practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so it really helped me to have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror (even if it felt a little silly!). I had a tendency to ramble in my video interviews, so knowing roughly how long it would take me to cover my main topics was really helpful.

    Make sure you also utilise your prep time, as this is really useful to have a clear idea of what you are going to say before you start recording - Reed Smith actually recommend you use the prep time instead of jumping straight into the questions! I would avoid writing a script as this can sound robotic and could reflect badly on your overall performance, but I stuck a post-it note with all the key points I wanted to discuss and used that when practising (and in the recording).

    There's a video in the TCLA Law Firm Directory that I watched before my VI that I found was super helpful - I'll link it here. I'd definitely give that a watch, as Rik gives some great advice on what they are looking for and how to approach each aspect of the assessment.

    Overall, just answer truthfully and be yourself. I think there's a tendency to think you have to come across as super composed and scripted for a video interview, but this isn't necessarily how you would behave in an actual interview. Take a moment to relax before recording, and try and come across as approachable and friendly - show them your personality and what your strengths are!

    I hope that assists :)
     
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