TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Amgrad]

Hello!

Congratulations on the written exercise invite! To address each of your main questions:

1. Camera on: this likely differs from firm to firm. I've sat written exercises before where it asks for permission to use your camera (and, therefore, I assume it was recording!) and others where it has not. If camera use is required, it will be very clearly stated in the instructions of the written exercise
2. Live monitoring: there is typically no live invigilator - written exercises are usually completed independently within a set time window. Some firms may use basic monitoring software, but again, this would be disclosed in advance
3. When questions are released: in most cases, the questions are released at the start of your allocated time slot, not beforehand. You would then submit your answer before the deadline at the end of that slot. I would say it is uncommon for firms to send the questions early.

The point about assessors being partners and associates grading anonymously is very standard and simply means:

• Your work is marked without personal details attached
• Reviewers are focusing on your content, structure, and commercial awareness

So, yes - I'd say that these are general practices, but small details can vary by firm. If anything differs (i.e. cameras on, live assessment, early access to questions), firms will be very explicit about it.

In terms of quick tips for the written exercise, I have quoted some posts below that might be a helpful starting point!

Wishing you the best of luck!

Thank you Abbie. That's really helpful of you!

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone heard back from Pinsent Mason Birmingham office?

They said at the London AC last week they were completing London first 👌

 

[lawyersum]

does one typo doom you in an app?? stressing so much it wasn’t even noticeable the 5000 times I read it back😭

 

[plsgivemetc]

Did HSF Kramer's test on Saturday and still haven't heard back. My report had 3 weaknesses (of course saying the complete opposite about who I actually am IRL) so I have no hope but I still want the confirmation email to fully accept it and put them aside. It's really frustrating because it's my favourite firm, I've taken every opportunity to interact with them at their open day, virtually and events at my university. I actually didn't pass their benchmark last year when applying to be their campus ambassador so I kept asking for tips on passing the test and I did what they said. I researched situational judgement scenarios, asked their lawyers how they would approach them and I memorised the firm's values but that STILL didn't help. Whenever I get a gmail notification I get a mini heart attack, I've even had a vivid dream opening their email and to add to that, someone I sat next to in a lecture opened up their email saying he passed the test AND THE NEXT DAY someone from my course also opened up an email saying he passed while we were talking. The universe really hates me haha idk what I'm doing wrong. I spend hours interacting with firms, writing applications, preparing for their tests and neglecting my uni work just to get rejected at the initial test stage. I wish they would take a glance at my application, 3 months of legal work experience that I've worked so hard to get this summer and achievements and give me a chance at interview.

update i cannot get over this no matter how hard i try, i randomly think about it in the day and just start crying hahah so i ended up emailing the Early Careers team telling them everything i've done to prepare for this year and asking for advice on how to approach the test next year when i reapply because the feedback report doesn't align with who i am. i hope i don't sound like a crazy person but come on what is the Early Careers team's job if it doesn't involve being transparent with and helping applicants who went beyond everything they've been advised to do and still failed???? i really hope they reply to me because i think that will give me closure

 

[halogenz]

Are you recorded during Ashursts capp test?

 

[WillKitchen]

does one typo doom you in an app?? stressing so much it wasn’t even noticeable the 5000 times I read it back😭

I've heard some grad recruiters say they use a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" method. But one always feels like one too many.

If it makes you feel any better, I published a book in 2020 in which I spelt Jimi Hendrix's name wrong ("Jimmy"). I cringe about that to this day.

 

[lawyersum]

update i cannot get over this no matter how hard i try, i randomly think about it in the day and just start crying hahah so i ended up emailing the Early Careers team telling them everything i've done to prepare for this year and asking for advice on how to approach the test next year when i reapply because the feedback report doesn't align with who i am. i hope i don't sound like a crazy person but come on what is the Early Careers team's job if it doesn't involve being transparent with and helping applicants who went beyond everything they've been advised to do and still failed???? i really hope they reply to me because i think that will give me closure

tbh you don’t sound crazy, just a very valid reaction to this insane process. I hope you get some clarification via email. I do hate how firms preach about individuality in this process and on their bs corporate marketing material, when in reality they’re looking for cookie-cutter bots who can pass unrealistic sjt or gamified tests.

 

[lawyersum]

I've heard some grad recruiters say they use a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" method. But one always feels like one too many.

If it makes you feel any better, I published a book in 2020 in which I spelt Jimi Hendrix's name wrong ("Jimmy"). I cringe about that to this day.

i wrote submission as submisson. I think mine is worse than yours😭

 

[halogenz]

Hi, does anyone have any insights into Gowling's VI?

I'd be happy to share insights into CMS's VI, Mischon's chat based test + VI, Mayer Brown's VI, Reed Smith's VI, White & Case's VI, Bird & Bird's VI and HSF's AC in exchange!

 

[londonlawyer]

Does anyone know what time Kirkland VS app is due tomorrow?

 

[studysquirrel]

Just finished latham stage 2, I struggled to find that, so want to post this to help ppl.

1. Video questions: difficult in terms of form not content. Just stay calm, use the given time wisely, (tho a unique form, they are still questions that you can prepare in advance I would say.) and you should believe that you can answer them well. But I didn't really prepare for it so I was chopping all the time and not smoothly enough i guess.

2. WG: extremely simple, you cannot believe it... for some reason.

Hey, how many questions were there in the VI? And does the VI come first or the WG?

 

[annalise.joyn]

Hey, how many questions were there in the VI? And does the VI come first or the WG?

2 questions in the VI, you can choose to do the VI first or the WG as it has a page of different sections!

 

[Harvey Specter]

I've heard some grad recruiters say they use a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" method. But one always feels like one too many.

If it makes you feel any better, I published a book in 2020 in which I spelt Jimi Hendrix's name wrong ("Jimmy"). I cringe about that to this day.

I attended a Mishcon open day and wrote Mischon every single time I referred to the firm. They still let me slide so perhaps it’s firm dependant. Was such a rookie error lmao. Smh. 😂​

 

[studysquirrel]

2 questions in the VI, you can choose to do the VI first or the WG as it has a page of different sections!

Thanks a lot ) Is it timed/ can I do the WG and then later do the VI?

 

[annalise.joyn]

Thanks a lot ) Is it timed/ can I do the WG and then later do the VI?

You're welcome! Once you start the assessment, you cannot do it another time so you must complete it in one sitting. I did the vi first to get it done with (timed each so 3 minutes per q) then did the WG (not timed)!

 

[zonnonomo]

update i cannot get over this no matter how hard i try, i randomly think about it in the day and just start crying hahah so i ended up emailing the Early Careers team telling them everything i've done to prepare for this year and asking for advice on how to approach the test next year when i reapply because the feedback report doesn't align with who i am. i hope i don't sound like a crazy person but come on what is the Early Careers team's job if it doesn't involve being transparent with and helping applicants who went beyond everything they've been advised to do and still failed???? i really hope they reply to me because i think that will give me closure

tbh you don’t sound crazy, just a very valid reaction to this insane process. I hope you get some clarification via email. I do hate how firms preach about individuality in this process and on their bs corporate marketing material, when in reality they’re looking for cookie-cutter bots who can pass unrealistic sjt or gamified tests.

to add to this, i also would not trust anyone who did not become at least somewhat of a crazy person after going through the tc/vs application process

i feel like a lot of us here have had their hearts broken by "their hsf"; for me, it was sullcrom last year, i had a partner there vet my application and everything LOL

like any other sort of heartbreak, know that you will heal, and it will be beautiful again ❤️‍🩹 i know it stings right now, but, hell, you just broke up! i hope you are able to get some closure, but like i'd say to any other friend, there's plenty of fish, and some are far easier to bait, bathe, and breed 😌

 

[asplawyer100]

I’m really confused by Osborne Clarke’s verbal reasoning test. The instructions clearly state that whilst the test is timed, you can leave at any time, but you will then have to restart the test. Doesn’t this mean you basically get unlimited attempts at taking the test - i.e. if your time is about to run out but you still have lots of questions left, you can just exit the test and restart? Why would a firm allow this, I’ve never seen such rules for any other law firm assessment?

 

[Lawlawland]

I was procrastinating my Kirkland application wanting to make it perfect, now I'm too overwhelmed to even complete it

 

[WillKitchen]

I was procrastinating my Kirkland application wanting to make it perfect, now I'm too overwhelmed to even complete it

Best of luck finding the time.

I submitted to Kirkland very early in the year - before I had any idea what I was doing, really! Subsequent applications have been steadily improving.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

hi how do you prepare for cappfinity tests? any resources, websites etc would be great to know. Also i dont understand how you're really meant to succeed at these tests because each law firm is different and they may place importance on different qualities so there's not really one correct answer - if that makes sense?