TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi Kirsty,

I've had the same issue as Harvey Specter here. I've just looked at my form and there was no option for me to input my GCSE grades. There was only an option to list which school I went to for GCSEs. Could I PM you as well?

Best,
Charles

Hi @CharlesT47

Thanks for letting me know, and yes, absolutely.

Thanks,

Kirsty

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone know the dates of Simmons ACs?

 

[user55998384]

Anyone know the dates of Simmons ACs?

do you have an ac offer?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

has anyone heard from bclp for summer vs after completing the online assessment?

 

[gao8899]

Hello!

For Q4, you don’t necessarily need a separate example of each skill. With only 200 words, it might be more effective to identify 2-3 key skills / qualities and then use one strong example that demonstrates all of them in action. This allows the graduate recruitment team to see how your skills interact in a real situation, rather than a list of disconnected mini-stories.

For the “next generation of lawyers” part, it helps you frame your answers around qualities that reflect how the legal industry is evolving. Things such as adaptability, commercial awareness, tech-literacy, cross-team collaboration, or the ability to learn quickly tend to resonate as firms are thinking about the future of the profession, not just what lawyers needed 10 years ago.

A good structure to follow could be:

1. Briefly identify the skills you think matter for future lawyers
2. Explain why they matter in the modern legal landscape (with reference to changes in the legal market / profession)
3. Give one concise example of when you have demonstrated those skills

This keeps it clear, focused, and (hopefully!) within the word limit. I hope that helps!

Thank you! This is so helpful

 

[deejaykay]

That Mishcon chat-based interview though 🙃

 

[s123]

Have all Simmons ACs sent out?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

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! What's going on with the Directions game ☠️

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

That Mishcon chat-based interview though 🙃

Hello, I'm wondering if we have 7 days to complete the test after the application so we don't have to complete it before 28/11?

 

[johnsmith]

If anyone didn’t get involved this year I’d really recommend participating in the Aspiring Solicitors Commercial Awareness competition - there was a phenomenal room of finalists to meet and learn from and the AS team are so slick in how they run it and support everyone.

At least one winner is on TCLA as well 💪 (not me!)

 

[user55998384]

has anyone done the HSF Kramer SJT yet?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

has anyone done the HSF Kramer SJT yet?

js the first online assessment u mean? if so, yes, ive done it!

 

[user55998384]

js the first online assessment u mean? if so, yes, ive done it!

how did you find it? any tips?

 

[WiddyJ]

has anyone received hogan lovells job simulation for summer recently?

 

[user55998384]

js the first online assessment u mean? if so, yes, ive done it!

also do they tell you immediately as to whether you have passed it?

 

[abc124]

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,

Thank you very much for letting me know! I’ve contacted Vantage about the issue, so hopefully it’ll be resolved soon. If not, would it be alright to submit my application and reach out to you directly as well?

 

[Mikeross750]

also do they tell you immediately as to whether you have passed it?

they told me the next day when I took it last year, but I'm waiting for the fourth day this time around

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi Kirsty,

Thank you very much for letting me know! I’ve contacted Vantage about the issue, so hopefully it’ll be resolved soon. If not, would it be alright to submit my application and reach out to you directly as well?

Hi @abc124 ,

Yes, absolutely, and with the couple of other people who have reported this same thing I've checked and their GCSE results are in the application, so it may be that they are pulled through automatically somehow.

Thanks!

Kirsty

 

[TCSeeker999]

anyone heard anything from dentons? i submitted my app on 22 sept and still nothing.

 

[sooae]

If anyone didn’t get involved this year I’d really recommend participating in the Aspiring Solicitors Commercial Awareness competition - there was a phenomenal room of finalists to meet and learn from and the AS team are so slick in how they run it and support everyone.

At least one winner is on TCLA as well 💪 (not me!)

Missed the quarterfinals because I was unwell but definitely trying again next year!