TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DavidJC]

For those of you who have taken the nrf test, what ridiculous games did it involve?
Is it better to do it on a phone or laptop?

I think I remember you had an earlier post talking about struggling with the emotion recognition bit, in which case I would say to primarily pay attention to the brow/eyebrows, lips, and how they all are relative to the eyes.

Idk if it would help but an idea that's occurred to me (I haven't tried this myself) is maybe looking at your standard emojis for different expressions and it gives you a sense of what to look for in a person's face to recognise the emotion/expression. Arctic Shores is a bit extra tricky with imo really noticeably artificial faces and like 6-8 (I can't remember how many) options to pick from.

Also definitely personally recommend laptop.

 

[adh3]

Their deadline is in Jan so I don't expect a reply until mid Dec at the earliest. Applied back in Oct but haven't heard a whiff since, hahah

Big respect to Sidley GR though, they seem to be one of the very few firms in London not relying on psychometrics/WG's, which IMHO have been gamed to death and are deeply flawed methods of filtering the applicant pool.

Yeah, instead Sidley's selections heavily depend upon university, grades, experience and extracurriculars. Which, at first, sounds fair. Of course, that's only until you realise that almost 40% of their intake is from Oxbridge and the other 60% is effectively LSE/UCL/Durham. Then consider how many of that firm's intake went to top (private) schools – i.e. Le Rosey, Raffles Institution, Eton, Westminster, etc.

And, just for context, I'm complaining about this as a graduate from one of the universities mentioned above... As much as I hate psychometric testing (and believe that it's not conducive to effective hiring) at least it functions to even the playing field between those people and others who might not have been so well 'prepared' for taking this career path.

 

[Trophy]

For Paul, Weiss application question 'How do your extra-curricular activities align with a career at Paul, Weiss?', if 'extra-curricular activities' here only includ activities, hobbies, positions of responsibility etc. Can I put work experience here to demonstrate skills. Thanks

It depends what the work experience is. positions of responsibility - university/work society position, volunteering, reservist etc these would be great to include. if you were a waiter at a cafe and undertook a new responsibility such as promoting the cafe via social media showing your entrepreneurial, leadership and networking skills. It is all about how you phrase your experience. Is there anything you are interested in? train spotting, bird watching, football or travelling these can all be put in this section under hobbies.

 

[Bbhu19]

Did your friend do an open day with them?

@elle woods

 

[QuillandCounsel]

With my Artic shores results for Gowling I know I'm not getting a VI loool 😂 😂

What even is their benchmark if its by scores ?

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Anyone heard back from CMS’ regional branches yet?

 

[elle woods]

@elle woods

not sure sorry!!

 

[yuhhhh]

Have Kirkland started sending out VIs for both the DTC and VS route?

 

[yk1906]

What even is their benchmark if its by scores ?

I have no idea!! haha

 

[Elsie07777]

It depends what the work experience is. positions of responsibility - university/work society position, volunteering, reservist etc these would be great to include. if you were a waiter at a cafe and undertook a new responsibility such as promoting the cafe via social media showing your entrepreneurial, leadership and networking skills. It is all about how you phrase your experience. Is there anything you are interested in? train spotting, bird watching, football or travelling these can all be put in this section under hobbies.

Thanks a lot for your answer!

 

[Dannie]

any freshfields direct tc ac offers?

 

[elle woods]

I don't know how people do so many applications every year, I think I've developed writer's fatigue or something 😂 I think this is a sign to finish off the last few apps and call it a year 🤞

 

[anonymous.15]

DENTONS PFO , goodbye tc dream

 

[Trophy]

I don't know how people do so many applications every year, I think I've developed writer's fatigue or something 😂 I think this is a sign to finish off the last few apps and call it a year 🤞

I find the more you write the better you get, once you've cracked it you keep applying as you have more hope (this happened with me in my first application cycle). Also once you've done a few of the well known online assessments amberjack, cappfinity, artic shores and WG you know what you prefer and how to 'game' them to get better results as they can be repetitive (especially amberjack). By writing more I understood why i got rejected for the first few applications I made as they were terrible haha

 

[elle woods]

I find the more you write the better you get, once you've cracked it you keep applying as you have more hope (this happened with me in my first application cycle). Also once you've done a few of the well known online assessments amberjack, cappfinity, artic shores and WG you know what you prefer and how to 'game' them to get better results as they can be repetitive (especially amberjack). By writing more I understood why i got rejected for the first few applications I made as they were terrible haha

I can't tell whether I've cracked it or not... I also still suck at online tests, so I'm guessing I'm not good enough yet LMAO. Do you have any advice in this regard? I feel like I've hit a wall 😭

 

[Momo_233]

For those looking for Latham Part 2 insights: Here is what I can say
Q1 (practice): 'assessed but more scored.'
Q2 and Q3: Expect VARYING recording times.
WG is normal difficulty around 30 questions in total.
Don't want to say more cuz it'll take away the whole point of VIs.
Good luck everyone!

Hi, thank you, may i ask so there's no behavioural vi questions right?

 

[Trophy]

I can't tell whether I've cracked it or not... I also still suck at online tests, so I'm guessing I'm not good enough yet LMAO. Do you have any advice in this regard? I feel like I've hit a wall 😭

It only clicked in my final year of university. I had the experience of applying and getting rejections in 2nd year, once i went into my final year rejections did not phase me as much as they did when I was in 2nd year every rejection felt personal (its not) haha. AI is a great tool, use it to break down what the application question is asking. It's easy to think what the question is asking but i may be asking something else always clarify. I had a method of including a case/deal the firm worked on that interested me and linking it to my interested whether it's a well known brand or it's a holiday destination I've been to I tried to relate with the case/deal i was using. Open days, law fairs, dinners, LinkedIn connections from alumni all to gain insight. It was ight work writing the answers as i had more than enough information, zero attachment to firms, did enough online tests to last a life time so I knew i had cracked it when i got lots of next stages for firms only i could wish for. I did not meet the A level requirement for many firms but progressed. There was of course 2/3 firms i loved and had breakdowns when rejected but onwards and upwards I will move there laterally if not securing a TC there

There will be a point where you hit a wall but in January once tings are up and running, offers are flying about you will get that urge to apply. As for now focus on your studies get the best grades you can in your 2nd year and work on answering written examples of work as this is an area people fall short with on schemes.

Good luck!

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

on the fieldfisher app, do we have to give details of each module we took at university or just overall grade?

 

[abc124]

In scenario-based questions, if I've never really been in a similar situation is it fine to just answer hypothetically? Or should I still try to link it to some broader experience? If the scenario is on stuff like dealing with an unethical request from a client, should I still try to link it to a generic client interaction example from my experiences...?

 

[The Boy]

Has anyone heard back post Simmons AC?