TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys,

I'm currently filling in the Mishcon de Reya application form, and I've one got one quick query to ask. If anyone has any tips, I'd be hugely grateful!

On the "Work Experience" section, candidates are asked to specify how many hours they've worked in a typical week, but only if the experience in question is "ongoing rather than one-off". Am I correct in presuming that a two-week vacation scheme counts as one-off?

Hey!

Yes, you’re absolutely right - a two-week vacation scheme would likely be classed as a one-off experience. The “hours per week” box is really aimed at ongoing roles such as part-time jobs, volunteering, tutoring, or long-term internships.

For a vacation scheme, I would just give the date of the scheme and outline your responsibilities / skills.

Good luck with the Mishcon de Reva application!

 

[BillSikes]

Can anyone let me know what to anticipate in the Mishcon Video interview part of the chat interview?

How many questions and is it motivational/strength based?

about 1,000 questions

 

[Suii]

about 1,000 questions

You are joking right.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
In a video interview, what are we supposed to mention for this - Why me? Why should the firm take me as their trainee solicitor? I'm struggling to identify what points the firm expects us to make and how to differentiate answers to make them unique.

Thank you

Hello!

Just to add to the previous answers (which I wholeheartedly agree with!), for a “why you” question, I think firms are mainly wanting to hear three things:

1. Key strengths that matter in a trainee - such as teamwork, communication, attention to detail, resilience. Additionally, I would also try to mention a trait about you that you feel is quite ’unique’ to yourself (although it will never be completely unique) - for example, perhaps you are able to simplify complex information from your time working in a street law project, or you are able to make clear decisions under pressure from a previous management role in a part-time job.

2. Evidence from your past experiences - this is what will make your answer unique! Anyone can say “I’m a good communicator”, but if you can back it up with a specific moment where you proved it, this will make your answer feel more personal and genuine. I’d make sure to keep examples brief, but use them effectively to back up any claims you make.

3. A clear link to what the firm values - show how your strengths outlined above will help you contribute to their firm. This could be their culture, practice areas, client work, innovation, etc. This is where you can show your research into the firm, and that you have an understanding of why you would be a good fit!

Therefore, the general formula I would use is: strength -> short example -> why it matters for that firm

If you do that, you’ll hit what they’re looking for and stand out at the same time

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hi @abc124

Our application form does ask for GCSE qualification, each topic, and each grade to be listed, so I suspect it could be an issue you're experiencing accessing the system.

Thanks!

Kirsty

Hi Kirsty,

I submitted my application form recently and the GCSE section asked for the school name and the dates I attended. There was no space to include my GCSE subjects and/or results. Will this have an impact on my application?​

 

[ACHat8r]

is there a point for applying to BCLP spring now or should I do summer?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

is there a point for applying to BCLP spring now or should I do summer?

do summer. spring is already sending out AC invites

 

[c.t.tc]

You are joking right.

Haha 1000 is probably a bit extreme but it definitely feels quite hefty. The number of questions depends on how you answer them as you go along, so if you give longer answers you’ll get less questions. That being said, I gave quite long answers and was still answering questions for about 2 hours non-stop.

 

[user55998384]

Is a simmons 6,5,7 test score good?

i got the same - what did you get on the first 2 amberjack grids?

 

[Dannie]

do you need to do the links watson glaser before the deadline as well as the cappfinity or just the cap?

 

[gao8899]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu , I was wondering what you thought about this question

Q4 - What skills/qualities are most important for the next generation of lawyers and describe a time where you've demonstrated these. (Max 200 words)

Do you think it's one time for each skill? Or just one example for all the skills? Also, would you have any advice for the 'next generation' part of the q?

Thank you!

 

[Suii]

Haha 1000 is probably a bit extreme but it definitely feels quite hefty. The number of questions depends on how you answer them as you go along, so if you give longer answers you’ll get less questions. That being said, I gave quite long answers and was still answering questions for about 2 hours non-stop.

That still feels like 1000 questions.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Hi, does anyone have tips for Arctic Shores assessment, especially the Gowling one? I see there are some discussions but couldn't really see how to navigate it and get a good score. It's my first Arctic Shores assessment and any insights will be appreciated!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

For Mishcon's chat based assessment and the SJT, are they to be done after the 28/11 deadline (not together with the initial application)? I'm going to submit it on 27/11 or 28/11 so just wanted to make sure that I dont miss the deadline.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Has someone gotten past the app stage for Skadden in previous years? Please DM! Can give info about Weil/DLA.

 

[letsdothis]

Congrats! Is this for spring or summer?

Thanks! It’s for spring 😊

 

[DavidJC]

Hi, does anyone have tips for Arctic Shores assessment, especially the Gowling one? I see there are some discussions but couldn't really see how to navigate it and get a good score. It's my first Arctic Shores assessment and any insights will be appreciated!

Not done the Gowling one, just the NRF one and a couple other non-law ones in the past.

I would try and make sure you're in a really calm and relaxed environment (difficult with a test, I know!) and really get focussed, especially for the middle two games. These tests are geared towards directly testing your soft skills and the NRF one, from what I understood about the test, in order of games, tested your pattern recognition/problem-solving, attention to detail/focus/ability to perform under pressure (both games in the middle test this in similar but different ways), and emotional intelligence on the basis of recognition of facial cues (I honestly think this one is quite bs but you can find ways of "practising" by looking up facial expressions for different emotions).

Hope this helps, I've never used any practice tests for these so can't recommend any of those, I'm afraid.

 

[Amgrad]

Not done the Gowling one, just the NRF one and a couple other non-law ones in the past.

I would try and make sure you're in a really calm and relaxed environment (difficult with a test, I know!) and really get focussed, especially for the middle two games. These tests are geared towards directly testing your soft skills and the NRF one, from what I understood about the test, in order of games, tested your pattern recognition/problem-solving, attention to detail/focus/ability to perform under pressure (both games in the middle test this in similar but different ways), and emotional intelligence on the basis of recognition of facial cues (I honestly think this one is quite bs but you can find ways of "practising" by looking up facial expressions for different emotions).

Hope this helps, I've never used any practice tests for these so can't recommend any of those, I'm afraid.

Thank you, but it's a bit late, the deadline was 2 hours before you were writing your post :')

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei! With respect to the UK budget - how do you think the government borrowing that the Budget intends to decrease interacts with cuts in interest rates? What impact does this have on private lending do you think?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

is there a point for applying to BCLP spring now or should I do summer?

Hello!

I don’t necessarily think that it is too late - even if invites to later rounds have been sent out, it is likely that they will review all applications that have been submitted before the deadline (and there is plenty of chance to still be progressed).

The most important factor is whether you can submit a strong and tailored application - therefore, if you believe you can do that for the spring deadline, I would encourage you to apply if that scheme is more suitable.

However, if you feel you may benefit from some additional time to refine your application (and aren’t too fussed on the particular scheme), I would aim to submit early for the summer scheme.

Best of luck!