TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afuturetrainee]

I've got a Gibson Dunn first stage interview with grad recruitment coming up, and was wondering if anyone had any insights or advice for preparation! would be so grateful

Congrats! Is this for spring or summer, please? Grad rec said it's mostly competency and motivational. Even if there are commercial awareness questions thrown in, it wont be too technical. You should expect that in the partner interview

 

[13h]

When I completed the test, I received a feedback report... they don't give you your actual number though, they just say for each section of the WG if you excelled, if it was good but needs improvement, and then fail...

oh i didnt receive that, all they said was that i passed

 

[Happy Law Student]

Does W&C usually send VI invites out in batches or all at once?

 

[c.t.tc]

Simmons pfo as I did not reach the test benchmark.

Ah I’m sorry - can I ask when you completed it?

 

[J1234]

Congrats! Is this for spring or summer, please? Grad rec said it's mostly competency and motivational. Even if there are commercial awareness questions thrown in, it wont be too technical. You should expect that in the partner interview

Thanks so much! That’s reassuring 😊 This is the spring vac scheme

 

[J1234]

When did you apply if I may ask?

On the 25 Sept!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Hi, is anyone able to offer any insights into the Freshfields stage 2 assessment? Are the VI questions more motivational or competency based or are they solely based on the tasks within the assessment? Happy to offer insights into other firms in return!

 

[bh.sa]

Hi, is anyone able to offer any insights into the Freshfields stage 2 assessment? Are the VI questions more motivational or competency based or are they solely based on the tasks within the assessment? Happy to offer insights into other firms in return!

It's a mix of everything! I think there were around 3-4 VIs

 

[tk.42_]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells for WVS?

 

[Snickerdoodlesolicitor]

also waiting to hear back; i've seen from October open day attendees that they give people a week's notice, so we should hear back by Thursday I reckon

have you done their VI?

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

Just completed the Freshfields assessment 2. As many have already said on here it is nothing to worry about. That being said, I would recommend that you have a lot of paper to hand!

 

[RSK]

have you done their VI?

yep i have - did mine like two weeks ago - wbu

 

[Lamb7075]

Anyone know whether the RPC online assessment includes VI?

 

[opticskibidi]

Nice! Is this for wvs or spring/summer?

WVS 😁

 

[JBM]

Does anyone have insights for WNC VI. Happy to trade for FF or HL second stage assessments, or Gibson Dunn first round interview. Baker Mckenzie AC, Simmons AC, CMS interview or Links AC.

 

[Bbhu19]

On the 25 Sept!

Could I ask what your strengths and area of improvement was on your sjt

 

[whywhy88]

First rejection of the cycle HSFK WVS, post-meeting test benchmark. On one hand I'm not surprised as I don't meet the 2.1 in every module requirement (albeit with mitigating circumstances), but on the other I am gutted as I thought my written application was quite strong. Ah well, onto the next I guess.

 

[silonthesofa]

First rejection of the cycle HSFK WVS, post-meeting test benchmark. On one hand I'm not surprised as I don't meet the 2.1 in every module requirement (albeit with mitigating circumstances), but on the other I am gutted as I thought my written application was quite strong. Ah well, onto the next I guess.

Same. Don't have a 2:1 in every module, but with strong mitigating circumstances, and I did an open day of theirs. I really don't think my application could have been stronger, so it's a bit of an "okay, I guess they're off my list of firms to apply to" if I won't ever get through then on the basis of my academic record.

 

[elizabethkate]

Milbank test was hard that last question! my answer was very wishy washy

 

[iwatchsuits]

Simmons pfo as I did not reach the test benchmark.

So sorry to hear. I wish you all the best with the rest of your applications. If you don’t mind me asking, what were your scores? Trying to gauge the benchmark.