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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
628
572
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 :)
 

flower1

Esteemed Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 18, 2023
76
48
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

Star Member
Nov 10, 2025
31
20
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!
 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
738
2,752
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.​
 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
738
2,752
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.​
 
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cookedlawstudent

Star Member
Nov 10, 2025
31
20
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.
 
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i-want-a-tc

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Feb 18, 2025
62
75
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.
 
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Reactions: Abbie Whitlock

i-want-a-tc

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Feb 18, 2025
62
75
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.
 
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i-want-a-tc

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Feb 18, 2025
62
75
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.
 

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