A&OS assessment centre this coming Thursday, any insights from previous attendees?
-
Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hello!
Congratulations on being invited to the assessment!! I have quoted a post below which contains some general advice I have given on the Reed Smith test, so hopefully it's a useful starting point.
Best of luck with the assessment!
Hello!
Of course, I can share some general tips for VIs and SJTs that I always used in my last cycle. I can't share too much information on Reed Smith's in particular, just because the process has to be fair for all candidates!
Some SJT advice that I found really useful was actually shared by Zainab, and I'll copy it below. Just always remember that you are answering these situations as a trainee and so you should view each situation from that perspective.
- Recognise Your Role as a Trainee: As a trainee, you are not yet qualified to provide legal advice independently. Your work will require input and oversight from qualified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Value Collaboration: Law firms operate as collaborative environments. While it’s essential to demonstrate initiative and a willingness to take on tasks, many projects will require teamwork and the support of others to succeed.
- Adopt a Risk-Averse Mindset: Law firms are naturally cautious about risks. Your decisions and actions should align with this approach to protect the firm and its clients.
- Prioritise Quality Over Speed: Delivering thorough, high-quality work is more important than rushing to complete tasks. Precision and attention to detail are critical.
- Optimise Your Time: As your time is billed to clients, it's important to work efficiently. If seeking guidance can help you complete a task faster and more effectively, don’t hesitate to do so—it benefits both you and the firm.
- Follow the Priority Hierarchy: Decisions should prioritise the client first, your colleagues second, and yourself last. While this may feel counterintuitive, it ensures that the firm maintains its commitment to service and teamwork.
- Balance Initiative with Responsibility: Taking on additional tasks can demonstrate your drive and determination, but ensure this doesn’t compromise the quality or timeliness of your existing commitments. Delegate, defer, or reorganise tasks as needed to maintain balance.
For VI's, I'd make sure that you are fully answering the question and that all of the examples you use actually link. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best. I would also practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror! Make sure you also utilise your prep time, as this is really useful! There was actually a video on TCLA in the Law Firm Directory that I watched before my SJT and VI that I found was super helpful - I'll link it here. I'd definitely give that a watch, as Rik gives some great advice on what they are looking for and how to approach each aspect
I hope that helps! Best of luck with the SJT and VI to anyone completing it
Just had a painful realisation that I was rejected from SPG and Baker Open Day because, I literally didn't add any of my module details in the academic page and was blindsided as cvmail format is kinda weird.
The most amusing part of it all is, how did I even make it to 4 Open Days via cvmail application, with same academic info😂.
This makes me think that most firms just read the answers and made decisions based on that...
The most amusing part of it all is, how did I even make it to 4 Open Days via cvmail application, with same academic info😂.
This makes me think that most firms just read the answers and made decisions based on that...
Hi @Abbie Whitlock, I had a quick question about an application prompt: The world is changing in the legal sector - how do you think the profession is changing? Do you think it’s too niche to focus on the rise of blockchain in IP, even though the firm has a strong IP practice? I’m wondering whether it’s safer to take a broader approach instead.
Last edited:
Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
I was wondering if you have any insights into challenges and opportunities facing law firms. I know AI, ESG etc - but something more niche beyond this? And also, when the question says 'how will these affect your clients', I'm confused on how to structure this?
Thank you
I was wondering if you have any insights into challenges and opportunities facing law firms. I know AI, ESG etc - but something more niche beyond this? And also, when the question says 'how will these affect your clients', I'm confused on how to structure this?
Thank you
It used to be the training principal in the past but I'm not sure who it is now, might be worth emailing Grad Rec. Chambers Student at least shows that the current recruitment partner is Aaron Ferner.
Maybe @Andrei Radu has some insights?
So I did this one at the beginning of the month and I'm pretty sure it was exactly the same as the NRF test. 4 timed "games" in a similar format to the practice test they let you do only they are a bit harder. One is pattern recognition, one tests ability to focus and react quickly, one tests ability to quickly switch between tasks and one is an emotional expression recognition test which I failed miserably both times. You can't really practice or prepare for them so my best advice is to make sure you are in an environment where you can focus and you are well rested and able to perform at your best. Good Luck!
Does anyone know how firms tend to deal with requests to unsubmit an application?
I forgot about that last game, either that or I intentionally wiped it from my memory 😂
Just did the Gowling test and I'm so curious as to how this is graded alongside the application. I got the lowest in "How you attend to tasks and decisions" and "How you learn from information in your environment"😭😭. Is there a threshold or something we should know about?
Hello!
I'd say that making blockchain in IP the main focus might come across as a bit niche for this kind of question (although it sounds like an interesting discussion!). Even though the firm has a strong IP practice, the prompt is really about how the legal profession as a whole is changing, so an answer that is too narrow might not show the broader commercial awareness that they're looking for.
If I was answering this question, I'd be more inclined to start with the major forces shaping the sector on a wider scale - things such as AI, automation, digital transformation, changing client expectations, more data-driven decision-making, and the increasing need for lawyers to have both legal and technological fluency. These trends are affecting firms across all practice areas and speak directly to how the role of a lawyer is evolving in terms of skills, service delivery, and the types of problems that clients are now seeking advice for.
You can still bring blockchain into the discussion, but I'd use it as a single example rather than the focus of your answer. For instance, you could mention blockchain as one of the emerging technologies creating new legal challenges in areas like IP and digital assets, and then relate that back to how firms need to adapt, innovate, and build specialist knowledge to stay competitive.
This way, you show a focused insight without losing sight of the bigger picture, which is ultimately what the question is trying to showcase.
I hope that assists, and best of luck with the application!
Similar threads
- Sticky
