TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Struggling with the question "What is the role of a trainee solicitor?" any insight would be appreciated @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

It's quite a PE focused firm

Hey!

When you're asked "What is the role of a trainee solicitor?", it can help to step back and split it into two elements: what trainees generally do and what trainees specifically do in the context of that firm.

A good way to approach your answer is to break it down into some key themes:

• Supporting fee-earners: How do trainees contribute to matters, keep deals moving, and take ownership of smaller tasks? What tasks might a trainee get involved in, particularly in the context of the type of work the firm does?
• Learning and Development: What does it mean to be in a training role? How do trainees grow their legal and commercial skills? What steps will a trainee take to make the most of their training contract and evolve?
• Firm-specific context: Since this firm is PE-focused, I'd have a think about what trainees would naturally get exposure to. This could be fast-paced deals, due diligence heavy work, client interactions, and contributing to the lifecycle of a transaction. It might help to think about this in the context of the above - what are the typical tasks that a trainee would do in a PE deal that would add value

If you frame your answer around your understanding of a trainee's purpose and then tailor it to what you know about the firm's practice, you'll show both self-awareness and genuine interest. You don't need to list every possible task - just demonstrate that you understand the trainee role as a blend of learning, responsibility, and supporting the wider team in a PE deal environment.

Best of luck with your application!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

as in it would be a problem if u had a tc offer at the time of interviews and did not disclose it or? thanks.

Hey!

Not necessarily - especially if you haven't accepted the offer yet. As others have said, the situation changes a bit if you've accepted a TC and are still applying for or completing vacation schemes elsewhere. However, simply holding an offer doesn't prevent you from interviewing with other firms.

To clarify what I mentioned before, firms might only become aware of your other applications if you choose to tell them - for example, if you need to let them know you're holding another offer because you're hoping they can speed up their TC decision after your VS / interview. In that situation, the fact you had applied to that firm (and hadn't mentioned it initially) might come up - although, I don't think it would be a major point of concern either way

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
I know for video interviews it's recommended to write bullet points like 3-5, but when I do so - I really struggle to elaborate on them and finish answering within 30 seconds. I also feel like what I say is very vague. Any tips?

Thank you

Hi!

I used to struggle with the same thing, and what helped me was starting with more detail before stripping it down. Instead of going straight in with bullet points, I'd first write out a brief plan of what I wanted to say - almost like a mini-script or structured notes. Once I was happy with the overall structure and content, I'd then reduce that into succinct bullet points of the main topics (e.g. "Intellectual Challenge", "Practice Area Expertise", etc.)

From there, I'd practice it: first using the full plan, then using only the bullet points, and eventually just trying to recall the general structure from memory. By the time you then record the actual answer, it's easier to remember the depth of the content without having to read from a full script. I still found it useful to have the bullet points on a post-it note in my eye-line, just so I could refer to it if my mind went blank! This approach allows you to go into more depth on your points, as it helps you remember the depth of what you want to say whilst also giving you room to add ideas as you go along!

That being said, the above approach is mostly applicable to VIs with unlimited preparation time (unless you can write a super speedy plan and practice!). If you have limited preparation time, I would try to focus on 2-3 key points and go into more depth - for example, include previous experiences and discuss how they created an interest in a certain area or motivated you to apply for this specific firm. It's usually stronger to go with quality over quantity, particularly if you are worried about your points sounding vague

I hope that assists

 

[James Wakefield]

Is 3 strengths to leverage and one opportunity for development ok as a DLA WG report?

Thanks!

 

[flower1]

Hi!

I used to struggle with the same thing, and what helped me was starting with more detail before stripping it down. Instead of going straight in with bullet points, I'd first write out a brief plan of what I wanted to say - almost like a mini-script or structured notes. Once I was happy with the overall structure and content, I'd then reduce that into succinct bullet points of the main topics (e.g. "Intellectual Challenge", "Practice Area Expertise", etc.)

From there, I'd practice it: first using the full plan, then using only the bullet points, and eventually just trying to recall the general structure from memory. By the time you then record the actual answer, it's easier to remember the depth of the content without having to read from a full script. I still found it useful to have the bullet points on a post-it note in my eye-line, just so I could refer to it if my mind went blank! This approach allows you to go into more depth on your points, as it helps you remember the depth of what you want to say whilst also giving you room to add ideas as you go along!

That being said, the above approach is mostly applicable to VIs with unlimited preparation time (unless you can write a super speedy plan and practice!). If you have limited preparation time, I would try to focus on 2-3 key points and go into more depth - for example, include previous experiences and discuss how they created an interest in a certain area or motivated you to apply for this specific firm. It's usually stronger to go with quality over quantity, particularly if you are worried about your points sounding vague

I hope that assists

Thank you, this is really useful Also, do you have any tips on answering questions you haven't prepared for? I know firms give preparation time, but I feel like this isn't enough for me, and also don't know how to best use that time either. Do you have anything tips for both?

Thank you

 

[cookedlawstudent]

A question for anyone who's done the Freshfield's Stage 1 online test, do I have to complete it in one sitting or not? I know that the WG is most likely timed

Note I haven't started the assessment yet because I am concerned that the entire thing is timed

Hi, I would really appreciate someone who has done to Freshfields stage 1 online test to clarify this by replying to me. Thank you!

 

[Bbhu19]

It took me 2 weeks!!

Thank you

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hi, I would really appreciate someone who has done to Freshfields stage 1 online test to clarify this by replying to me. Thank you!

There’s 3 components: an SJT, WG and another element which is like a quick fire personality test thing. The SJT is untimed, the other two parts of the test are timed. The test should take roughly an hour to complete in full.​

 

[cookedlawstudent]

There’s 3 components: an SJT, WG and another element which is like a quick fire personality test thing. The SJT is untimed, the other two parts of the test are timed. The test should take roughly an hour to complete in full.​

Thank you for responding! Would you say the questions are very similar to the practice tests they provided or much harder?

 

[spidermonkey777]

Hello!

Yes, it was recorded

I'm struggling to find it Could you tell me where I can access the recording, please?

 

[spidermonkey777]

anyone heard from DLA piper after being told they passed WG

have you heard back yet?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Thank you for responding! Would you say the questions are very similar to the practice tests they provided or much harder?

I am generally really bad at SJTs and WGs so it’s probably likely that my anecdotal experience will not be the same as everyone else’s. I attempted the practice tests and felt the actual test was pretty similar in terms of difficulty. However, I did have extra time as an adjustment, so not sure if that contributed to the experience. Not entirely sure what their benchmarks are either and if the benchmark will be increasing as more applications come through nearer to the deadline.​

 

[Maddy]

Anyone who was cut mid way in their A&O shearman VI and still got an AC? Or are they very strict? I got low verbal and numerical.

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I am generally really bad at SJTs and WGs so it’s probably likely that my anecdotal experience will not be the same as everyone else’s. I attempted the practice tests and felt the actual test was pretty similar in terms of difficulty. However, I did have extra time as an adjustment, so not sure if that contributed to the experience. Not entirely sure what their benchmarks are either and if the benchmark will be increasing as more applications come through nearer to the deadline.​

That's very interesting, because I did practice on Graduates First for the Watson Glaser test and I swear that the mock tests they have are the most difficult Watson Glaser tests known to man. One of them was so insanely difficult I thought that I was cooked for the real thing. But I found the practice tests that FF gave in their preparation portal to be a lot easier. For Situation Judgement, I've had a lot of experience with those when it comes to applying to retail jobs so I'm not as concerned with that part. But from what you've said I think I'll do atleast one test before.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Does anyone have any advice, in the last 24 hours I have been rejected from Reed Smith and DLA Piper post application (so didn't even get the test for either) and both rejections were received within a week of me applying.

I'm not really sure what to make of it as I've gotten to ACs before and am progressing thru test stages with other firms. My weakest part of my app is my grades but they both say they take a 2.1 and I thought they were strong applications, maybe I was too late idk.


Any advice on this as I am struggling to move past these rejections since I don't really know what to learn from it/what I shld have done differently.

Last year I progressed to online test with Reed Smith. My grades are terrible so I would say focus on tailoring your application more. I remember speaking about a topic that wasn't very academic but was true to my story of why I wanted a career in law. No fancy writing, just a simple walk through of what I did when I was younger, how it led me to law, then I linked it to the work at Reed Smith.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

That's very interesting, because I did practice on Graduates First for the Watson Glaser test and I swear that the mock tests they have are the most difficult Watson Glaser tests known to man. One of them was so insanely difficult I thought that I was cooked for the real thing. But I found the practice tests that FF gave in their preparation portal to be a lot easier. For Situation Judgement, I've had a lot of experience with those when it comes to applying to retail jobs so I'm not as concerned with that part. But from what you've said I think I'll do atleast one test before.

I'm using graduate first and the tests are definitely harder. Try assessment day, their tests are similar to the real thing.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Finished my Simons test earlier today. Am I cooked for having average verbal, strong numerical then 8,8,4. Anyone gotten through with similar scores or 20 when you add it up? I waffled on 2 of my video interview questions, and 2 were strong.

 

[kts17]

Guys can anyone confirm if we need to put every grade individually in the Gowling WLG application? It’s not clear to me.

 

[johnsmith]

Finished my Simons test earlier today. Am I cooked for having average verbal, strong numerical then 8,8,4. Anyone gotten through with similar scores or 20 when you add it up? I waffled on 2 of my video interview questions, and 2 were strong.

I got equivalent to 20 but not heard on next steps yet!

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Have ppl received Hogan Lovells' Job Sim for their Summer VS after doing their first test. If so, how long did it take for HL to send over test 2?