• What do Private Equity Lawyers Actually Do? (Ropes & Gray)
    Wednesday, 14 January 2026 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Hosted on Zoom
    Discover the high-stakes world of private equity and see how lawyers power multi-million-pound deals behind the scenes.
    Register Here →
  • Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now 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.
    Join Premium →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

zonnonomo

Legendary Member
Jan 16, 2025
130
463
@Andrei Radu , I trust you are well.

I am currently applying to Squire, and I am struggling to understand how to approach this question.

"Please argue whether you are for or against stricter regulation of social media". Is it ok if, for example, I say:

I am in favour of/against stricter regulation for two reasons. Firstly [...]. Secondly [..]
The following sources support the above statements, and I can then conclude by providing feasible solutions.
they asked this question in the video interview last year! i progressed to ac and my answer was

1. current regulation of social media as intermediaries
2. clarifying the difference between regulating the social media companies themselves vs scrutinising individuals' posts
3. importance of privacy and freedom of speech rights of individual, but recognised security or hate speech concerns
4. alternative to regulation: incentivise social media to develop beneficial community guidelines/ self correcting policies
5. problem with proposed solution: private companies acting as arbiters of justice, potentially impinging on public rights

which is to say there really was no structure at all but i think VI format allowed that flexibility 🤔
 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
955
3,528
Is there a list of firms that don't use psychometric tests? It's so draining to put all that effort into an application to fall at this stage :(
I think there are a handful of firms that are solely application and interviews (no test stages):

Covington & Burling
Davis Polk & Wardwell
Debevoise & Plimpton
Dechert
Goodwin
Jones Day
Kirkland & Ellis
Morrison Foerster
Paul Hastings
Sidley Austin
Skadden
Slaughter and May
Travers Smith
Vinson & Elkins
Willkie Farr & Gallagher

There might be others but these are the ones in mind that I believe don’t use tests.

Think most of these firms place emphasis on academics though (AAA/AAB and strong 2:1).​
 
Last edited:

shadowboxer909

Distinguished Member
Oct 20, 2025
60
117
Is there a list of firms that don't use psychometric tests? It's so draining to put all that effort into an application to fall at this stage :(
Normally, they say on their site if they do/don't.

Except when they surprise you with it after making you answer written questions before hand. Cough. Eversheds. Cough. Cough.

I've been using the list below.

 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
955
3,528
It's been over a month since I took the Simmons test. For context, I got 8,7,5 in the pillars, and I think middle range numerical and verbal.

At this point, I might meet the love of my life and get married before they respond🙄
Might even have 3 kids and watch them graduate before they respond at this rate. 🙄​
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.