TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

It can take a few weeks so I wouldn’t worry! They review apps first before deciding if they send it so takes a minute

Thanks!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

I was wondering what the turnaround is to inform people they haven’t passed the test. I agree WE invites won’t come out until early Dec!

Oh, I'm sorry!! I don't know what the turnaround is.

 

[Amgrad]

Heya! So, the Comet Browser has an inbuilt AI Assistant (perplexity, the AI company that made Comet). All you have to do is to click on that while you're on the page. It open a chat window alongside the actual content. There you have to prompt it accordingly.

For instance, I prompted "I want you to assist me in entering this data consisting of my modules and grades in the respective columns. Remember to verify twice before saving any data entry. Any discrepancy should be noted and made aware after the task ends"

And then I add all my modules (44 modules in this case). It takes about 5 to 6 minutes to get it done usually, as it verifies again and again. But end of the day, it's done without me active doing the tiring job. And I use that time to do something else (like making this post as it add the details XD).
I once used it enter the details of all my 115 modules within 10 mns. I've used it around 6 times so far, and it never did a false entry once. Surprisingly accurate every single time. Privacy policy seems non intrusive to m with settings in right place.

Same for the work experiences. I have everything ready and add it to the chat, it feeds them into the box automatically.

I hope that helps. Please DM if you have any further doubts.

(Sorry for the late reply. I didn't use the feature after that until today.)

View attachment 7400

Interesting, but unfortunately it does not support my S9+ tab or iPad Air either

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Heya! So, the Comet Browser has an inbuilt AI Assistant (perplexity, the AI company that made Comet). All you have to do is to click on that while you're on the page. It open a chat window alongside the actual content. There you have to prompt it accordingly.

For instance, I prompted "I want you to assist me in entering this data consisting of my modules and grades in the respective columns. Remember to verify twice before saving any data entry. Any discrepancy should be noted and made aware after the task ends"

And then I add all my modules (44 modules in this case). It takes about 5 to 6 minutes to get it done usually, as it verifies again and again. But end of the day, it's done without me active doing the tiring job. And I use that time to do something else (like making this post as it add the details XD).
I once used it enter the details of all my 115 modules within 10 mns. I've used it around 6 times so far, and it never did a false entry once. Surprisingly accurate every single time. Privacy policy seems non intrusive to m with settings in right place.

Same for the work experiences. I have everything ready and add it to the chat, it feeds them into the box automatically.

I hope that helps. Please DM if you have any further doubts.

(Sorry for the late reply. I didn't use the feature after that until today.)

View attachment 7400

Thank you so much!

 

[James Wakefield]

Any BCLP interviews for those who applied in the last couple of weeks? This is for Spring.

 

[traineeinthemaking]

Does anyone know if Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has changed its critical thinking test to WG?
Also does anyone know if the new RPC assessment includes VI?

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi @Kirsty Wilkins, I have attended close to 10 virtual events that Gemma hosted. I recently started a new job and had a few things in my schedule so I haven't submitted my application yet. I want to submit by next week and I was wondering if it is a bit late to submit my application now?

Hi @i-want-a-tc ,

Our application process is open until 10th December, so you still have plenty of time to submit.

Good luck!

Kirsty

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

She is the best Grad Recruiter I've ever had the chance to speak with, and I loved that she was straightforward and brutal. I wonder what firm she'll be joining next.

Hi @noahsmiit01 ,

Great to hear your lovely words about Gemma. She didn't leave Willkie for another law firm, but instead has joined Rare Recruitment, so we still get to work with her, which is wonderful!

Kirsty

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Is it okay to look at your notes(on your laptop) when preparing for a VI with unlimited time- when the camera is on all through the test

 

[yk1906]

Is it okay to look at your notes(on your laptop) when preparing for a VI with unlimited time- when the camera is on all through the test

I always structure my answer on paper, never thought it could be an issue.

 

[londonlawyer]

For DLA Piper's question, describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions, my draft is based on a vacation scheme experience, but would that be considered a personal experience? I might be overthinking it here, but are they asking for an experience outside of work (extracurriculars or leadership positions)?

 

[Mara]

Hey!

A good way to avoid sounding forced or cliche in motivational questions is to stay away from generic lines like “I enjoy problem-solving” or “I like working with business” (although, these can still work if framed well!). Instead, I’d link you interest to specific experiences you have had and show what you learned from them.

For example, refer to a particular deal that you followed, a module that you enjoyed, something observed on placement, or a real commercial issue that caught your attention. Then explain why it made you want to work in commercial law - maybe you liked the mix of legal analysis and strategy, working closely with clients, or seeing how legal work shapes a business decision.

I would make sure that you focus on the parts of the job that genuinely attract you to the role - such as long-term client relationships, project-based work, teamwork with different specialists, cross-border elements, etc. The more concrete or personal your examples are, the more authentic your motivation will sound. For example, I always used to discuss my work in my university’s legal clinic, and how I could see the tangible impact that my advice had on specific issues that a client had. I could then link this to how I was motivated to work in commercial law due to this problem-solving nature coupled with long-term client relationships.

In summary: use real experiences, extra the main insights, and link them clearly to the day-to-day work of a commercial lawyers. This tailored approach will make your answer feel genuine rather than rehearsed!

Thank you so much for this helpful and detailed response

 

[Suii]

Mishcon chat based interview invite.

 

[user333]

Hi, has anyone heard back from Simmons who completed the test around the 27th October?

 

[maylawwww]

Does anyone know if Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has changed its critical thinking test to WG?
Also does anyone know if the new RPC assessment includes VI?

Addleshaw's test is critical thinking - I didn't take it last year, so I can't say if it's changed. But, for comparison, it's basically the same test as TW this year!

 

[maylawwww]

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Fieldfisher test?

 

[lelezb1]

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get the Fieldfisher test?

I got it after 20 days

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Freshfields stage 2 online test invite. For context, applied last week and invited to do test last week, completed the test on Monday, feedback on Tuesday

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Hi @i-want-a-tc ,

Our application process is open until 10th December, so you still have plenty of time to submit.

Good luck!

Kirsty

Thank you Kirsty!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Dreading the Reed smith VI, anybody who's done it - was it really hard?