TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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.

 

[c.t.tc]

DLA Piper PFO - quite surprised since I thought my application was decent but I think I was probably a bit late to the game applying just a few days ago

 

[WiddyJ]

For those who received the HL job sim, what were your strengths/weaknesses in the first SJT?

 

[M_m]

Is there an error checking exercise for Freshfields’s stage 1 test?

 

[legallycurly]

DLA Piper PFO - quite surprised since I thought my application was decent but I think I was probably a bit late to the game applying just a few days ago

I am sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask whether you did the Watson-Glaser?

 

[c.t.tc]

I am sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask whether you did the Watson-Glaser?

Nope! That's why I think I might have applied too late as literally applied on Friday

 

[johnsmith]

Mishcon test finally came through!

Took me a while to complete that one - found it was easier to type out than dictate my answers!

 

[johnsmith]

Weil test, I think I did poorly on! Got 7,7,7 & 4 in their Amberjack categories.

Also subsequently noticed their rules on 2:1s in modules, which I hadn't noted, so I think that's a few hours of work that will amount to nothing!

 

[plshireme]

For DLA Piper's first question - Describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions? - does this need to be one specific event? I've never had a lightbulb moment where I thought this makes me want to be a lawyer but it's more something that's come over time. I travelled for a long time after uni and a lot of my ambitions have come from these experiences but I worry this doesn't answer the question but I can't really see how else I would go about it.

Grateful for any insight/inspiration 😊

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi, I just received my feedback report from BCLP after completing the assessment. Has anyone who has been either successful/unsuccessful please share their 3 strengths and 1 area of development Thank you!!

 

[Bread]

Weil test, I think I did poorly on! Got 7,7,7 & 4 in their Amberjack categories.

Also subsequently noticed their rules on 2:1s in modules, which I hadn't noted, so I think that's a few hours of work that will amount to nothing!

Those are pretty good scores!! Would you mind sharing what their 2:1 rule is, and where you noticed it please?

 

[firmfirm]

Weil test, I think I did poorly on! Got 7,7,7 & 4 in their Amberjack categories.

Also subsequently noticed their rules on 2:1s in modules, which I hadn't noted, so I think that's a few hours of work that will amount to nothing!

That’s strange because I emailed grad rec and they confirmed they only require an overall 2:1. That said, their grad rec is known to be a bit sloppy, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s been some sort of miscommunication.