TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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")

 

[Dannie]

How many VIs? Were the questions random...

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

 

[Andrei Radu]

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?

I agree this suggests they are not looking for you to discuss general extracurriculars, but I would argue that including positions of significant responsibility which involved (i) recurring tasks that took up significant portions of your time; and (ii) other people in an organisation relying on you delivering on said tasks comes close enough to work experience in its features that you cold classify it as "Work experience - unpaid". At the very least it seems to me such roles have to be considered as sitting in a grey area between extracurriculars and work, and as such I would not expect a recruiter to take issue with you mentioning it. Thus, I think you should still be able to include experiences like roles in a university society.

 

[theaspiringlawyer333]

For those who signed up for Latham Nov Open Day, do you know when we expected to hear back?

I received an invite to complete the video assessment for the Open Day. Do you have any tips/insight into how to prepare for the questions asked please?

 

[bh.sa]

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

Were the questions more competency or motivation-based, or a mix of both?

 

[bh.sa]

Anyone have any insights into A&O Shearman's online assessment?

 

[futuretraineeincoming]

Hi All,

I applied for CC Insight Day and passed the WGT. I am now realising just how competitive these Open Days are.. I wrote a few sentences for my answers and was surprised to receive the WGT following this. I wanted to attend the day to fuel my application, I did not realise I should have wrote more. Do you think my chances of being accepted are slim due to this?

Thanks!

 

[Lawlawland]

Hi All,

I applied for CC Insight Day and passed the WGT. I am now realising just how competitive these Open Days are.. I wrote a few sentences for my answers and was surprised to receive the WGT following this. I wanted to attend the day to fuel my application, I did not realise I should have wrote more. Do you think my chances of being accepted are slim due to this?

Thanks!

Congratulations on clearing the WGT, may I what was your percentile and how do we know if we have cleared it?

And regards the writing part, yes, CC felt kinda disorienting for me, as the application form was different and not the usual ones I got used to. But, as long as you have expressed your keen interest in the event (not just the firm), and have given evidence for it, you should be good ig!

 

[futuretraineeincoming]

Congratulations on clearing the WGT, may I what was your percentile and how do we know if we have cleared it?

And regards the writing part, yes, CC felt kinda disorienting for me, as the application form was different and not the usual ones I got used to. But, as long as you have experienced your keen interest in the event (not just the firm), and has given evidence for it, you should be good ig!

Thank you for your response!

I received an email after I completed the test which informed me I had passed. I do not know what my percentile was, the email did not specify this.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Congrats!! I'm also going to complete the semi-finals at Reed Smith

So happy for you, we should connect and exchange ideas before the day. feel free to private message me if you are interested?

 

[jamsparkle]

also finished ff round 2. it's a job simulation so questions are about how you'd respond in certain scenarios. i dont think i can really give specific details but it's really nothing scary at all, just prepare as you would for a standard interview process

 

[FutureTrainee100]

Has anyone received the assessment for Weil? Applied on the 11th but I’ve heard nothing yet.

I am completing their vacation scheme application now but there are no application questions to answer? I am SO confused.

 

[Lawlawland]

I am completing their vacation scheme application now but there are no application questions to answer? I am SO confused.

They have introduced a new method this year. That will be a part of the next stage. It was explained by the team when I met them.

No worries.

 

[FutureTrainee100]

They have introduced a new method this year. That will be a part of the next stage. It was explained by the team when I met them.

No worries.

what do you mean? so once eligibility is confirmed, they will send us an application form to complete? or do we then go straight into the SJT test and VI?

 

[Lawlawland]

what do you mean? so once eligibility is confirmed, they will send us an application form to complete? or do we then go straight into the SJT test and VI?

The small application form is all you gotta write. That shall be reviewed, and if eligibility is confirmed, you'll be sent an SJT.
Following that, video interview, where 4 questions will be asked. 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to answer. This is where you can stand out in your application. Your motivation for law, commercial law, Weil will all be tested here.

After this, if you're successful, Assessment Day!

 

[FutureTrainee100]

The small application form is all you gotta write. That shall be reviewed, and if eligibility is confirmed, you'll be sent an SJT.
Following that, video interview, where 4 questions will be asked. 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to answer. This is where you can stand out in your application. Your motivation for law, commercial law, Weil will all be tested here.

After this, if you're successful, Assessment Day!

Thank you so much!! I was so confused hahah. More and more firms seem to be changing their approach and adding tests now.

 

[Lawlawland]

Thank you so much!! I was so confused hahah. More and more firms seem to be changing their approach and adding tests now.

True! It's confusing. Almost 7 firms in my list has changed their selection process this year...

Also, I actually like the changes Weil has brought in. It's straight to the point, wastes no time in application process, all applications are reviewed by humans (unlike most firms where your application won't be read if you don't pass the test), no WGT and teir test is apparently holistic, and everything they need to know will be tested via the video. I personally prefer this approach over many other firms where I have to draft 1250 - 1500 words just for the application, which may never been read if I don't pass their test.

 

[FutureTrainee100]

True! It's confusing. Almost 7 firms in my list has changed their selection process this year...

Also, I actually like the changes Weil has brought in. It's straight to the point, wastes no time in application process, all applications are reviewed by humans (unlike most firms where your application won't be read if you don't pass the test), no WGT and teir test is apparently holistic, and everything they need to know will be tested via the video. I personally prefer this approach over many other firms where I have to draft 1250 - 1500 words just for the application, which may never been read if I don't pass their test.

I agree but I get sooo stressed with VIs and have never performed well in them. I am especially surprised with Gibson who has always insisted that they dont do any tests and the application process "feels human". Do you know if the test is timed? Also what about Mayer Brown, Freshfields, and Milibank? I am actually shocked with how many firms changed their process...

 

[FutureTrainee100]

exact same questions for cappfinity critical thinking haha i got to pull out my notes/diagrams from last time

is it timed?