TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlawland]

Hey!

Try not to worry too much - three days for a single application isn't unusual at all! A good-quality application can take quite a bit of time, especially if you're tailoring your answers and revising them to ensure their clear and consistent.

It's actually a really great sign that you're putting in the effort - most strong applications aren't done in one sitting. Over time, you'll probably get faster as you reuse parts of past applications and refine your approach / writing technique.

If you're feeling exhausted (and it definitely is a tiring process!), try breaking the process into smaller stages (research, drafting, proofreading) and spread them over a few days. This helps make the application process feel more manageable.

You're definitely not doing it "wrong" - it just takes practice to find your own rhythm

Thanks a lot for the insights Abbie 🙂♥️

 

[Amgrad]

Hi!!

I just practiced with AI Video Interview Coach at TCLA, but never got 5/5 in any aspects, mostly got 2 or 3, and their feedback is too general and wondering if there is an example of videos when someone got 5/5.

I am so struggling due to fillers and articulation which always reduce my points.

I am wondering about the human assessment by the grad rec, do they care about them as well or prefer innate speech and authenticity than scripted and memorised answers?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does everybody include extra-curriculars in their work experience? - this firm doesn't have a separate extracurriculars section or questions that ask for it.

 

[Tattyasha]

Dechert still going lol just got written exercise invite like 1 month late

That’s crazy! I’m convinced I’m toast but there doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason. When did you apply? Huge congrats!🙌

 

[Lawlawland]

Can anyone who have done CC WGT tell me if it has a video interview?

And how similar it's percentile is to their test percentile.

 

[Lawlawland]

Does everybody include extra-curriculars in their work experience?

Depends on the law firm.
Some firms (especially the ones using Vantage) explicitly asks you to mention them in the Work Experience Section, while other firms have separate sections for it (Links etc), so I avoid adding them under work experience.

When there is no separate space or clear instructions provided, I add them to work experience.

 

[c.t.tc]

I just did the Simmons & Simmons test and got 5/10 in two of the areas they 'look for' but scored highly in their third one, did well in their verbal and numerical expertise and feel like my video interview was solid - Should I expect those two lower areas to mess up my chances completely?

 

[lawyersum]

I just did the Simmons & Simmons test and got 5/10 in two of the areas they 'look for' but scored highly in their third one, did well in their verbal and numerical expertise and feel like my video interview was solid - Should I expect those two lower areas to mess up my chances completely?

I'm no expert, but that definitely sounds like more pros than cons to me! Especially in the VI which is arguably more difficult to have a solid performance in compared to multiple choice questions. Fingers crossed for you!, it seems like a balanced performance!

 

[c.t.tc]

I'm no expert, but that definitely sounds like more pros than cons to me! Especially in the VI which is arguably more difficult to have a solid performance in compared to multiple choice questions. Fingers crossed for you!, it seems like a balanced performance!

Thank you my levels of despair have now evened out slightly!

 

[lawyersum]

Thank you my levels of despair have now evened out slightly!

Glad I could help slightly! I will probably have a very similar post on the forum tomorrow after doing mine so I might need your reassurance too lol

 

[flower1]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock
For this question, Briefly summarise a recent commercial news article - can I mention about an AI-powered TV show or is this not commercial? I have some things I could say about this, or is it better to mention something like trade, M&A etc?

Thank you

 

[Dannie]

Anyone done the freshfields stage 2?

 

[johnsmith]

That’s crazy! I’m convinced I’m toast but there doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason. When did you apply? Huge congrats!🙌

Perhaps they have, like, initial applicants who are primary and a group in reserve if the primary don't do a good job of the written exercise? Time-limited production of materials always feels like a good way to work out who is good under the time pressure, more in line with the job, versus those who can craft something well researched, but might take a long time to produce that i.e. application form questions

 

[johnsmith]

Can anyone who have done CC WGT tell me if it has a video interview?

And how similar it's percentile is to their test percentile.

No just WG to start with

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does everybody include extra-curriculars in their work experience? - this firm doesn't have a separate extracurriculars section or questions that ask for it.

Hey!

I'd definitely agree with other forum users - if there isn't a separate extracurriculars section or questions that ask for it, it's perfectly fine to include them in the work experience section.

However, I would limit this to extra-curriculars that are 'structured' (i.e. not hobbies) such as university societies, sports clubs, or volunteering. This is because you will expected to outline the role, responsibilities and skills that you gained within the work experience entry, and this may be more difficult for some hobbies

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock
For this question, Briefly summarise a recent commercial news article - can I mention about an AI-powered TV show or is this not commercial? I have some things I could say about this, or is it better to mention something like trade, M&A etc?

Thank you

Hello!

I'd say that it's perfectly fine to discuss an AI-powered TV show if the article focuses on the business and commercial aspects - for example, how it's funded, produced, monetised, or its impact on the entertainment industry. That would make it relevant as a commercial news story as you can talk about the wider impact on the commercial world.

However, if the piece is more about the creative or technological side, it might not fit as strongly. In that case, something like trade developments, mergers and acquisitions, or market trends would be a safer bet for a commercial focus.

I hope that helps!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hey!

I'd definitely agree with other forum users - if there isn't a separate extracurriculars section or questions that ask for it, it's perfectly fine to include them in the work experience section.

However, I would limit this to extra-curriculars that are 'structured' (i.e. not hobbies) such as university societies, sports clubs, or volunteering. This is because you will expected to outline the role, responsibilities and skills that you gained within the work experience entry, and this may be more difficult for some hobbies

Hey @Abbie Whitlock , their work experience options are only paid employment, work experience - unpaid/paid, volunteering and open days. So, would you say they're not looking for extracurriculars?

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Anyone have any general pointers for the video interview aspect of Hogan Lovells' job simulation assessment? Will be my first video interview. Assuming they will be situational judgement questions rather than overt competency questions? And how much time to prepare?

Thanks!

 

[Vakil]

Just finished the Freshfields stage 2. I thought it was very fair and interesting. Lots of VIs.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Anyone have any general pointers for the video interview aspect of Hogan Lovells' job simulation assessment? Will be my first video interview. Assuming they will be situational judgement questions rather than overt competency questions? And how much time to prepare?

Thanks!

While I have not completed HL's assessment, in my experience the following are central in having a good answer for a situational judgement question in an VI/interview question:

• Showing you would put thought into how to manage what is likely to be a tricky situation, and that you are attempting to come up with a cogent response rather than acting impulsively.
• Showing you are aware of and factoring in as many relevant considerations as possible in your decision-making, and attempt to come at a solution that minimises the downside; some of the considerations that will often come into play are: the priority ranking of certain matters, managing impact on team dynamics, transparency and delegating decision-making, impact on clients, efficiency when handling multiple matters vs ensuring the risk of any error is minimal, taking on responsibility and showing initiative vs seeking guidance and support;
• Providing a well-structured answer, which ideally explains what specific actions you would take in a step-by-step manner.
• Providing a nuanced answer, which explains the different alternative courses of action you may take depending on whether certain assumptions hold true: a particular difficulty with situational judgement questions is that there will be a lot of information that would impact your decision-making in a real-life context which is simply not provided to you because the questions are drafted at a very general level - as such, you will have to come up with an interpretation that will involve making certain assumptions. You should clarify which assumptions you are making when delivering your answer (e.g. "Assuming there is no other trainee on this deal that has capacity to help, I would"...) and explain alternative courses of action (e.g. "If my supervisor says that X, I would take this course of action; if my supervisor says that Y, I would do Z instead")