TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Singh241]

It’s similar to stage 1 in terms of situational judgement questions. You’ll then be asked follow up questions at the end of each section; video interview style. There’s also a short untimed written task 😊.

Will there be any WG type questions similar to Stage 1?

 

[ellamai0]

How long were people waiting for FF stage 2 (or a PFO…)

Thanks! ☺️

Received stage 1 28th Oct, and stage 2 6th Nov

 

[ellamai0]

Will there be any WG type questions similar to Stage 1?

Nope, no more WG thankfully haha

 

[Singh241]

Nope, no more WG thankfully haha

A huge sigh of relief!

 

[wooliewoo]

I think it's because they took concepts we learnt in law school and then said the complete opposite in the answers
At least for me, that was the case😂😂

Exactly I got confused with using my own knowledge and using explicitly what was said in the statements to answer lol

 

[nbjani]

I feel like the Eversheds test went horribly lol idk why I was so confused.

This was genuinely one of the worst ones.

 

[Suii]

This was genuinely one of the worst ones.

I agree like some of the wording in the proposed arguments were weird. Sorry just wanted to jump in as I completed it today also. But the deductive questions were easier than others I have done.

 

[jacksollaf]

Did the TI for DLA Piper today and passed the interview benchmark...

 

[Lord Sumption]

Did the TI for DLA Piper today and passed the interview benchmark...

Well done!!

 

[M_m]

Does anyone have any tips for the evaluating arguments part of the TW test? My overall score seems to be good, but my percentile score is pretty average. I’m having a hard time differentiating between the “strong/weak” and “very strong/very weak” options.

In general, my percentile score seems to be quite low when compared to how many of the answers I’m getting right.

 

[annalise.keating]

hey everyone, I wanted some help asap. I got through to the second stage of Latham and Watkins but I know NOTHING . is it timed? what kind of questions? how many questions? how long to prepare? is the VI automatic or is it impressive to get to this stage? please please please help me, I have never got this far and I'm literally dying for a vs (poor and stuff)!

 

[ninarosee]

hey everyone, I wanted some help asap. I got through to the second stage of Latham and Watkins but I know NOTHING . is it timed? what kind of questions? how many questions? how long to prepare? is the VI automatic or is it impressive to get to this stage? please please please help me, I have never got this far and I'm literally dying for a vs (poor and stuff)!

bruh poor and stuff is so real 😂

 

[ninarosee]

hey everyone, I wanted some help asap. I got through to the second stage of Latham and Watkins but I know NOTHING . is it timed? what kind of questions? how many questions? how long to prepare? is the VI automatic or is it impressive to get to this stage? please please please help me, I have never got this far and I'm literally dying for a vs (poor and stuff)!

In terms of the VI, it’s timed and there are 2 questions based on different scenarios. You get 1 minute to prepare and 3 minutes to answer. From what people here have said it’s not automatic. Hope that helps!

 

[annalise.keating]

In terms of the VI, it’s timed and there are 2 questions based on different scenarios. You get 1 minute to prepare and 3 minutes to answer. From what people here have said it’s not automatic. Hope that helps!

thank you so so so much! is it just those 2 questions because in the email it said - "You will be able demonstrate your decision-making and reasoning abilities in a workplace setting with our critical reasoning assessment, and highlight your soft skills through two short video interviews". what does the first part mean, like another SJT?

 

[ninarosee]

thank you so so so much! is it just those 2 questions because in the email it said - "You will be able demonstrate your decision-making and reasoning abilities in a workplace setting with our critical reasoning assessment, and highlight your soft skills through two short video interviews". what does the first part mean, like another SJT?

Yes, so it’s just 2 VI questions and there’s no SJT, just an untimed WG

 

[llblawstudent]

Hey, how long after submitting your app did you receive the test?

Like a month, they took ages

 

[BillSikes]

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).​

Wish I did better at undergrad now - US firms application process is way easier

 

[AS24]

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 🤔

Thank you so much for the insight!

 

[Rejections PFO]

Hello! New poster and I have some questions if anyone can answer:
1. I got PFO from Covington's winter vac scheme ages ago, but also applied to their summer scheme using the same application (because the application seemed to allow it? ). The rejection was for the Winter scheme, but should I consider the summer one a lost cause too?
2. I have not heard back from Bird & Bird in three weeks about the WG. Should I expect a PFO incoming?
3. I completed the Simmons & Simmons VI/SJT on the 28th of November and haven't heard back (I know it has not been long). Given that it is rolling, should I also consider this one a PFO?
4. Am I shooting myself in the foot by not getting a job right now (unemployed graduate) and trying to focus on applications? It feels like everyone I see is becoming a paralegal, and that I may have done better this cycle if I had an ongoing job right now (I have only progressed past one initial screening and gotten PFOed from 6 firms).

 

[cookedlawstudent]

For anyone who has been invited to the Freshfields AC, I would really appreciate insight into when you applied, whether you included extracurriculars within the work experience section, and how you found the stage 2 assessment. Feel free to either PM or reply here!

Would still deeply appreciate this, especially since there are many more applicants who are also curious!