TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iklawapps]

@iklawapps the key distinction between different types of written exercises is how you cater your writing to your audience. Although it seems like an obvious one, you'd be surprised how many times people have bulked up an "email to a client" thinking more words meant more marks, when in reality it meant failing to understand your audience. So, first thing to think about when you have a written exercise, whether that be an internal memo, email to a partner, letter to a client, think about the audience. If it is a memo, you can afford to keep it brief and bulleted, if it is for a partner (dependent on the topic) you can break it down to make it easily digestible for them to read without compromising on commercial points, as for the client you can break it down even further to get straight to the point without going into to much detail on rationale. Once you have your audience in mine, you will understand the structure and how much time/detail needs to go into that portion of the task. Hope this helps

That definitely helps!! Thank you so much Afraz : ) I appreciate all of that!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Slaughter and May
Am feeling v nervous

Good luck!! You got this💪💪

 

[meredithgrey]

Good luck!! You got this💪💪

Thank you sm!!

 

[Bread]

I got 7,4,6,4 with excellent verbal and got a VI

I got 7,6,6,4

Thanks! So I guess 4 is the pass mark for each section and 20-21/36 might be benchmark

 

[oliviabeijing]

Thanks! So I guess 4 is the pass mark for each section and 20-21/36 might be benchmark

I got 6,7,6,4 and then mid verbal intellect and wasn't invited to VI. Tbh I think the Verbal Intellect bit is weighted heavier.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

I got 6,7,6,4 and then mid verbal intellect and wasn't invited to VI. Tbh I think the Verbal Intellect bit is weighted heavier.

when did you do the SJT

 

[iklawapps]

Oof, Perkins rejection already. that was a quick one :' )

 

[anonymous31415]

Does anyone have any insights of Addleshaw’s TI? Tysm

 

[iklawapps]

I know this might differ from person to person, but how long do you all think is an appropriate time to spend answering questions on interviews - especially the main why law, why this firm?

I've done so many VIs at this point that I've kinda lost the plot when it comes to in person ones :' ) and I've got one tomorrow and kinda worried

Thank you < 3

 

[Saul_specter]

Slaughter and May
Am feeling v nervous

Is this for vac scheme or TC

 

[Bread]

I got 6,7,6,4 and then mid verbal intellect and wasn't invited to VI. Tbh I think the Verbal Intellect bit is weighted heavier.

Was there a numerical intellect bit as well?

 

[meredithgrey]

Is this for vac scheme or TC

Vac scheme

 

[e_turbo2]

I know this might differ from person to person, but how long do you all think is an appropriate time to spend answering questions on interviews - especially the main why law, why this firm?

I've done so many VIs at this point that I've kinda lost the plot when it comes to in person ones :' ) and I've got one tomorrow and kinda worried

Thank you < 3

I'd say take as much time as you need to get your concise points across. That is the benefit of in person/zoom ones, there is not a timer hanging over your head.

When answering why this firm, I recommended having a clear 1) 2) 3) structure to avoid rambling. I have rambled in the past through nerves and have found that saying my first reason... secondly, another reason is... and it helps to make the points, clear and structured.

Wish you all the very best!

 

[Novaa]

I know this might differ from person to person, but how long do you all think is an appropriate time to spend answering questions on interviews - especially the main why law, why this firm?

I've done so many VIs at this point that I've kinda lost the plot when it comes to in person ones :' ) and I've got one tomorrow and kinda worried

Thank you < 3

1. CONGRATULATIONS!! 😍

2. I think with the “Why law” / “Why this firm” you can find yourself speaking for 2-3 minutes and that will be okay as you usually have more points to discuss. Competency STAR/SCAR ones I think 1.5 minutes max. As long as you have a mental structure of each one and aren’t repeating yourself it will be okay.

You’re going to do great tomorrow and just remember they already think you’re capable of doing the role!!

 

[iklawapps]

I'd say take as much time as you need to get your concise points across. That is the benefit of in person/zoom ones, there is not a timer hanging over your head.

When answering why this firm, I recommended having a clear 1) 2) 3) structure to avoid rambling. I have rambled in the past through nerves and have found that saying my first reason... secondly, another reason is... and it helps to make the points, clear and structured.

Wish you all the very best!

oh thank you so much for that < 3 that's so helpful and good to know : ) definitely eases me up a little!!

would you think 5 minutes is too long for an answer haha?

 

[iklawapps]

1. CONGRATULATIONS!! 😍

2. I think with the “Why law” / “Why this firm” you can find yourself speaking for 2-3 minutes and that will be okay as you usually have more points to discuss. Competency STAR/SCAR ones I think 1.5 minutes max. As long as you have a mental structure of each one and aren’t repeating yourself it will be okay.

You’re going to do great tomorrow and just remember they already think you’re capable of doing the role!!

1. THANK YOU SO MUCH < 3 that's so sweet of you!

2. Ahhh that's really good to know, my answers are coming out to like 4-5 minutes, so I probably should try and speak more concisely huh? :' ) thank you for all of that though < 3 I really do appreciate it SO much more than you could imagineeee

 

[BealMcAlly]

Thanks! So I guess 4 is the pass mark for each section and 20-21/36 might be benchmark

I got 6,7,6,4 and then mid verbal intellect and wasn't invited to VI. Tbh I think the Verbal Intellect bit is weighted heavier.

Just wanted to chime in as the aptitude-tests practice tests outlines that digital mindset is also the least important pillar.

Each firm will place more weight on certain pillars compared to others.

@oliviabeijing may well be correct here that Verbal should be maxed but I think they look at these holistically. If your applied intellect is high which measures your emotional intelligence, social awareness but also your level of applied intelligence (understanding nuance of situations and what is being asked of you) then maybe it balances out the mid verbal intellect. Your applied intellect is assessed through sjt questions and verbal reasoning questions.

A lot not verbal intellect questions are practice, I know I improved my verbal reasoning a lot from my first time coming across such tests.

 

[KuriTH]

Can those who got bakers VI pls share what the score on their lowest SJT pillar was🙏🏻

Im never going to understand whether with amberjack it’s an overall benchmark or whether there’s a minimum requirement on each individual section haha

I scored around 85% in Applied Verbal Intellect this year. My Success Pillars were:
Grit: 7/9
Applied Intellect: 4/9
Creative Force: 9/9
Digital Mindset: 7/9

For context, I reached the 2025 summer vac scheme AC last year. Applied Verbal Intellect was again around 85%, and my Success Pillars then were:
Grit: 4/9
Applied Intellect: 7/9
Creative Force: 7/9
Digital mindset: 6/9

I don't think its a minimum and that they still look at your application holistically. I have some work experience in non-law but related fields so that has probably helped me.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Oof, Perkins rejection already. that was a quick one :' )

Omg I’m waiting also, going to 🤢

 

[KuriTH]

I submitted my VI on the 19th of December. If people are submitting theirs later and getting ACs I think I just need to take the hint. Don’t think it’s over for you lot yet though.

I think bakers does theirs non-rolling. Also, don't give up. I'm applying to law after having graduate work experience in journalism/diplomacy