TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlife5]

Does everyone get invited to do the Macfarlanes simulate? Does it mean my app review was successful?

 

[Harvey Specter]

The question does not ask this though lmao they just make up their own rules

Yeah I also attended an open day at Hogans last week and the early careers person said that with this question, they wanted you to select 3 or 4 open days or events, discuss them in detail and how they link back to the firm.

It is the same for the other question which I think was about experiences outside of work or study, in that they want you to tie the experiences back to the firm, despite the question not asking for it at all, so it seems they make it up as they go.​

 

[Lawlife5]

Yeah I also attended an open day at Hogans last week and the early careers person said that with this question, they wanted you to select 3 or 4 open days or events, discuss them in detail and how they link back to the firm.

It is the same for the other question which I think was about experiences outside of work or study, in that they want you to tie the experiences back to the firm, despite the question not asking for it at all, so it seems they make it up as they go.​

That is not fair at all. If they want this then they should be asking it. How is everyone who applies meant to know this?!

 

[Lawlawland]

Yeah I also attended an open day at Hogans last week and the early careers person said that with this question, they wanted you to select 3 or 4 open days or events, discuss them in detail and how they link back to the firm.

It is the same for the other question which I think was about experiences outside of work or study, in that they want you to tie the experiences back to the firm, despite the question not asking for it at all, so it seems they make it up as they go​

This is true.
In the last week open day, they advised me to always link back all the questions to the firm specifically, even if that wasn't explicitly stated in the question!

Given the fact that they wouldn't read our application until we clear their 3rd stage of application (job simulator), this seems tiresome.

 

[ali-k]

Hello,

I have asked a similar sort of question before but just wanted to make sure now. I have an AC coming up in a week, I got told about it 3 weeks ago and have been prepping since. I have got my answers for motivational and competency style interviews, and I am just now brushing up on commercial awareness (reading the FT etc.). My AC has a written exercise, group exercise, case study interview and motivational and competency interview. How can I maximise the utility of this week? I probably have not done as much for the written exercise: all I have done is learnt the structure of a memo, report, and letter. For the group exercise I am also unsure, just been learning the ins and outs of M&A deals and other types of stuff. Is this enough?

Would appreciate any help anyone could give me on how they have prepared.

 

[jojo23]

Anybody heard from:
cms post test
Reed smith post test
taylor wessing post test
Akin

 

[c.t.tc]

Anybody heard from:
cms post test
Reed smith post test
taylor wessing post test
Akin

Taylor Wessing won't be in touch until they've finalised all people they are putting through to the written exercise I don't think - that's how they did it last year and people found out at the end of November.

 

[qwop881]

White & Case AC!
Also, Linklaters said they filled places for the winter scheme but offered an AC for the spring scheme instead.

 

[johnsmith]

Taylor Wessing won't be in touch until they've finalised all people they are putting through to the written exercise I don't think - that's how they did it last year and people found out at the end of November.

Think one of their emails advised this was the case for this year as well!

 

[Jennifer2003]

For Pinsent Masons, how much time do you get to prepare for the VI and how long do you get to record your answer?

 

[whywhy88]

Safe to assume PFO from freshfields if I haven't heard back post-stage 1 test and it's been three weeks? 😅

 

[e_turbo2]

Outside of what TCLA offers, are there any other (paid or free) sources to help prep for a written exercise?

 

[e_turbo2]

Does everyone get invited to do the Macfarlanes simulate? Does it mean my app review was successful?

Believe it is selective! Congrats

 

[LawAspirer]

Mishcon test finally came through!

When did you apply if I may ask? Applied last week and still heard nothing

 

[LawAspirer]

Same positions here and I am assuming so

Safe to assume PFO from freshfields if I haven't heard back post-stage 1 test and it's been three weeks? 😅

 

[c.t.tc]

When did you apply if I may ask? Applied last week and still heard nothing

I applied over a month ago so I wouldn't worry!

 

[TC seeker]

Hi @BobThebIlly this is definitely not a silly question, as law firms often use this kind of somewhat ambiguous terminology on their application forms (particularly in relation to work experience). Unhelpfully, there is no general consensus as to their interpretation, as different recruiters have different views of what terms like "work" and "extracurriculars" refer to and the extent to which they can overlap. For this reason, people often encounter such grey area roles which are not easy to classify.

As for your question, I would personally interpret "voluntary work" as meaning work you were not paid for. To qualify for "work: (rather than extracurriculars or hobbies, which are activities that are also not paid), I think there would be a general expectation for the role to involve substantial recurring tasks and responsibilities other people rely on you for. Applying this to an events manager role in a university society, I believe it would likely be included in a volunteer work category.

Finally, for filling in the fields:

• In the organisation category I would write the name of the university and the society;
• In the role category I would write "Events Manager";
• In the "How did you get the role" category I would provide a brief explanation of the selection process - i.e. were you elected following a campaign, were you selected by another society member after an application process, etc.

Is it ok to put the university committee or extra activities in the work experience part?

 

[silonthesofa]

When did you apply if I may ask? Applied last week and still heard nothing

lol I also just got it today and I applied for the spring scheme on the first or second day applications opened, so don't stress.

 

[LawAspirer]

lol I also just got it today and I applied for the spring scheme on the first or second day applications opened, so don't stress.

I applied over a month ago so I wouldn't worry!

Appreciate it. Makes me assume that they are rolling + selective with this so its good knowing its not just some automatic SJT that I may use up my time on and may or may not pass xD

 

[silonthesofa]

Appreciate it. Makes me assume that they are rolling + selective with this so its good knowing its not just some automatic SJT that I may use up my time on and may or may not pass xD

They are neither rolling nor selective lol they're just ironing out the kinks in their new AI interview led online assessment. Well, they're selective, but not for the first assessment. The invite email said if you're successful with the assessment, you'll be invited to the next stage, which is a SJT, but that you won't hear about that until after the application deadline.

Maybe they're rolling with sending out the invites if it needs to be sent manually, but everyone that applies will be invited to complete the first assessment.