TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

I asked for my score back in early October and got 33/40 and placed in the 88th percentile but I recently heard that your percentile placement changes the more people do it so I'm not sure where I sit now.

I am also on hold. I don't think we will hear this end of Christmas. I applied for the Spring VS.

I asked for my report yesterday and I got 34/40 and 80th percentile 😭😭 I’m also on hold

i got 36/40 and 80 percentile so yes i assume it must have changed. i did get like 99 and 97 on assumptions and conclusions.

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone heard positively from Reed Smith since the first batch of AC invites?

 

[lawstudent2]

Willkie pfo and eversheds vi in the same minute

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Eversheds VI but due on Friday which means there are less than 3 days! Mixed feelings now

 

[Trophy]

damn Willkie really said today is judgement day😣

 

[A_ede]

Are people like heavily practising for the WG? I've just been winging it after reading about how it works, there's no where near enough time to practice it extensively, apply and be prepared for my degree work!

Hi Madison,

Personally, I found the WG without preparation ok, but I was not close to the successful percentile score.

I didn't practice consistently for it, I initially looked at tips online and on YouTube and looked at some practice questions. I have always found that the practice questions online that mimic a WG can be really helpful, but others are not consistent with the actual WG.

I found it best to consolidate the approach at the start of the application cycle and then remind myself of the best tips and tricks quickly before each test so it was fresh in my mind.

Hope this helps!

 

[Amgrad]

Man I’m terrified to do the OT now 😭😭😭

You can do it!!!! We believe in you! Ikr all my app with VIs put me on hold for weeks now while others have already received PFOs or ACs!

 

[DavidJC]

Willkie rejection honestly not really sure where I'm going wrong with my applications at this point as I feel I've definitely gotten better at researching and writing them than before and I think they're also more tailored and specific compared to before. Sure I understand there's an element of luck involved but it's rough going without tangible results. My uni's careers service here also tells me that I write well and my answers are good so I'm not really sure what more I could change at this point

 

[BealMcAlly]

i got 36/40 and 80 percentile so yes i assume it must have changed. i did get like 99 and 97 on assumptions and conclusions.

BEAST!

I got 92 for conclusions and 84 (lol) for assumptions. (We don't talk about arguments....🌚)

 

[Harvey Specter]

Willkie VI invite!​

 

[Lawschoolmavrick]

Hi guys please can I have some honest ideas of what you think is going wrong here because I’m getting constant rejections. I’m on my second application cycle, this time taking a far more tailored approach and only applying to firms I’ve interacted with and been to open days at. All of my applications are proofread by people that have secured TCs and I’ve read lots of successful cover letters so I know I’m along the right lines. I have top grades, study at Cambridge, hold society positions, have work experience law and non-law - please help 😓 I think I’m being filtered out by these assessments but I’ve been practising them loads

Hey! First of all, I just want to say that you really shouldn’t be disheartened by the rejections. I know it’s hard, and I don’t want to sound cliché by saying the LinkedIn favourite, “rejection is redirection,” but honestly, sometimes a rejection simply means going back to your application and reflecting on it with any feedback you’re able to get (when firms do provide it).

It also sounds like you’re already doing a lot of the right things. Having people around you who have secured TCs and are willing to proofread and advise you is genuinely half the battle, so that’s a real positive. I’m also a non-law student, and when I was applying, I remember feeling particularly anxious about the assessments. Looking back, I think I sometimes made them more intimidating than they needed to be because of that non-law background.

In terms of practical steps, continuing to practise mock assessments where you can is definitely helpful, as is spending time with each firm’s recruitment materials and website so you feel properly prepared going in. Consistently asking for feedback is also really important, you can only improve with feedback. When you receive a rejection, it’s always worth emailing to ask if they can share anything specific you could work on.

Most importantly, try not to get too in your own head about the assessments. You clearly have a strong profile, and you’ve already achieved a lot. You’ve got this! Keep reminding yourself of that.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Guys which firms don’t have an online test/VI? getting desperate now😭🥲

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).​

I made this post a while ago about firms without any online tests so hopefully this will help ​

 

[spongebob]

I made this post a while ago about firms without any online tests so hopefully this will help ​

Thank you!

 

[Amgrad]

Willkie VI invite! Very surprised though! Submitted 08/12 08.12 am

Still waiting for Weil, completed the tests on 24/11, wondering whether I got reserved again as I've seen people got PFOs and ACs 😢

 

[lawstudent2]

Willkie VI invite! Very surprised though! Submitted 08/12 08.12 am

Still waiting for Weil, completed the tests on 24/11, wondering whether I got reserved again as I've seen people got PFOs and ACs 😢

Where did the u see the Weil ACs?

 

[zonnonomo]

willkie pfo (surprising, cant quite spot a mistake in my application) and linklaters wg result: 37/40 or 97 percentile

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Weil, Willkie and Skadden PFO same day and time. Jesus take the wheel😔🥺

 

[elle woods]

willkie pfo (surprising, cant quite spot a mistake in my application) and linklaters wg result: 37/40 or 97 percentile

Wow that’s a crazy wg result well done!

Ong zonnonomo I missed youuu

 

[SemperParatus]

Willkie VI invite! Very surprised though! Submitted 08/12 08.12 am

Still waiting for Weil, completed the tests on 24/11, wondering whether I got reserved again as I've seen people got PFOs and ACs 😢

Has anyone got ACs from weil?

 

[Xx123_]

Hi guys please can I have some honest ideas of what you think is going wrong here because I’m getting constant rejections. I’m on my second application cycle, this time taking a far more tailored approach and only applying to firms I’ve interacted with and been to open days at. All of my applications are proofread by people that have secured TCs and I’ve read lots of successful cover letters so I know I’m along the right lines. I have top grades, study at Cambridge, hold society positions, have work experience law and non-law - please help 😓 I think I’m being filtered out by these assessments but I’ve been practising them loads

Hi — thanks for being so open about this. I know how frustrating and demoralising it can feel, especially when on paper you’re doing everything “right”.

I really relate to this. I studied at a top law university too (think UCL/LSE/KCL), where it often felt like everyone around me was securing TCs early — we even had multiple people in my cohort get Clifford Chance TCs. Despite strong grades, lots of feedback, and plenty of preparation, I struggled to consistently get past certain stages (particularly ACs). That experience taught me how little these outcomes can reflect ability.

A few important points to keep in mind:

• The process is extremely competitive, and many excellent candidates are filtered out.
• There’s a reason the average age of qualification is around 30 — this journey is rarely linear.
• Rejections at assessment stages are not a reflection of your intelligence or potential.

If you think assessments are the issue, it may help to pinpoint which ones:

• Is it Watson Glaser, job sims, written exercises, or video interviews?
• If it’s Watson Glaser for example, and you’re repeatedly falling out despite lots of practice, it might be worth adjusting strategy rather than assuming it’s a weakness. Many top US firms don’t use WG at all and instead assess candidates through other methods that may better suit your strengths.

If you’re comfortable sharing, what stage do you usually find most difficult and what types of firms are you applying to? And if you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to message me — happy to talk it through.