TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[hanahana]

If anyone has done an Assessment Centre with Bird & Bird, I would be extremely grateful if you could message me

 

[summersun]

can some who has given the Shepherd and Wedderburn assessment pls dm me😭

I am absolutely traumatised - it didn’t feel like the test is designed for a law firm but for a pure math data analyst person😭😭😭😭 I like numerical reasoning but this was way too much and only had numerical ques (that too for 40 mins)

I personally skipped all the round diagram questions as I could not answer them in the practice test and was being strategic. I still made it to the interview so you never know !

 

[JasmineM9]

At one of the open days I went to in October, the people at my table were talking about how they submit fake applications just to get access to the automatic VIs so they prepare for the real application. I was shook, no integrity... at the same event grad rec said different people would come to ACs to the ones in the VIs... some people really are brave.

This shook me to my core. WHAT

 

[radssss]

I personally skipped all the round diagram questions as I could not answer them in the practice test and was being strategic. I still made it to the interview so you never know !

I mean, I attempted around 16-18 out of 24 (due to lack of time only) and am confident about around 12. Did you finish the test? How many ques did you skip?

Thank you so much
Congratulations on making it to the interview and best of luck to you! Btw do you know their london trainee salary lmao

 

[TheLegalEdit]

I saw a TikTok that said 'if you knew you were 100 rejections away from your dream, you'd be much more grateful to be told no'. This really resonated with me today after being PFO'd!!

You are closer than you think, don't give up, every rejection is a step in the right direction. You can do this!!

You’re 100% right! Thank you for your kind words, you keep going too! This journey is hard and can feel super lonely at times but soon we will have reasons to celebrate 🥳🎉

 

[Novaa]

At one of the open days I went to in October, the people at my table were talking about how they submit fake applications just to get access to the automatic VIs so they prepare for the real application. I was shook, no integrity... at the same event grad rec said different people would come to ACs to the ones in the VIs... some people really are brave.

Idk if I’m more impressed or shocked by the audacity.

A bit of both tbh…

 

[Donna Paulsen]

At one of the open days I went to in October, the people at my table were talking about how they submit fake applications just to get access to the automatic VIs so they prepare for the real application. I was shook, no integrity... at the same event grad rec said different people would come to ACs to the ones in the VIs... some people really are brave.

... they do what now

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

i was looking at the tcla profile for orrick to see what the qs are. the question..

‘Have you used AI in preparing your application? If so, how? If not, why not? (200 words)’

..scares me i won’t lie, because… do they want you to use AI? feels like such a trick question but maybe i’m overthinking 😓 im guessing they wanna see how you use the tech to its best advantage but idk😭😭😭

Hey @ilikelaw its not a trick question, for firms like Orrick, who have their own AI systems such as Orrick AI or Draftwise, they want to see if you're the type of person who can effectively use AI in their everyday tasks. In terms of how you can approach this answer, Andrei breaks that down well here https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/how-to-explain-using-ai-in-applications.10057/

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Afraz Akhtar How would you advise on approaching this question?

"Please give a brief summary of any activities you've been involved in outside academic study or work over the last four years."

In the WE section itself, I have listed out my part-time job, committee roles and pro bono work. Would you advise to consolidate these and provide a summary for the sake of this question or maybe look outside of these experiences? The only thing I am conscious about is repeating myself and I know recruiters advise against doing that. Any insight would be helpful, thanks!

Hey @solicitor_2028 personally, I see no harm in being a little repetitive when it comes to things like work experience or activities, as for many these may be a little limited - so the key differentiator here would be not the experience itself, but the takeaway, so what you've done within that role or situation and how its developed you. Now, this question looks to go beyond work and academics, so its about your extracurriculars, whether thats volunteering work/society work/competitions/hobbies etc. The firm wants to know in a nutshell what you do outside of this legal bubble, so talk about your passions. I know historic applicants have talked about podcasts they've started, or journals they've written - and I think its a great idea to tie these into any achievements you've gained from having done so e.g. achieved 1000 monthly listeners etc.

 

[GKT]

At one of the open days I went to in October, the people at my table were talking about how they submit fake applications just to get access to the automatic VIs so they prepare for the real application. I was shook, no integrity... at the same event grad rec said different people would come to ACs to the ones in the VIs... some people really are brave.

Was this Mishcon by any chance?

 

[RowdtoTC2026]

Passed the benchmark for DLA’s TI so now under the consideration for an AC, 😓any insights on the odds of being picked

 

[WeGotThis!]

I have a time management cognitive test with one of the firms to which I've applied. Does anyone know what it is, or is it an SJT test?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Does anyone have the link to the Watson-Glaser simulator? Thank you!

 

[nordicnomad]

Been so deep in applying to vacation schemes that when I saw "best vacation destinations" on yt my heart skipped a beat 😂

 

[LawAspirer]

congrats ! when did you submit ?

Hey, 10th November if I remember correctly

 

[switchingup]

• Reed Smith: applied 14th Dec
  • Received assessment: 22nd Dec
  • Took assessment: 22nd Dec - scored high verbal intellect, mid numerical intellect, 4/9 (Grit), 7/9 (Applied Intellect), 4/9 (Creative Force), 9/9 (Digital Mindset). Thankfully, I think my VI responses offset the lower scores, but who knows.
    • Received confirmation of completion email and feedback report (separately): 22nd Dec
  • PFO: 7th Jan ❌

On the upside... AC at a consulting firm next Weds? Hahaha. As I transition out of media, I thought it'd be a great backup if I don't get a TC this year or the next (or the next lol), and it's something I will enjoy!

 

[BealMcAlly]

Was this Mishcon by any chance?

I shall neither confirm nor deny.

 

[summersun]

I mean, I attempted around 16-18 out of 24 (due to lack of time only) and am confident about around 12. Did you finish the test? How many ques did you skip?

Thank you so much
Congratulations on making it to the interview and best of luck to you! Btw do you know their london trainee salary lmao

Tjank you ! I answered 20/24 but skipped three questions I think.
Hope you hear positively soon !
No I have no idea about their trainees salary but would love that info if you find out.

 

[startupgeek]

hey afraz hope ur well! @Afraz Akhtar i am self funding the sqe and am doing my sqe1 exams in a week’s time. I feel very underprepared and am thinking about worst case scenarios - if I fail my sqe1 will this impact my future applications? firms all want their candidates to pass on their first go so I’m thinking maybe if I still feel very underprepared closer to the date I should defer and take the next sitting I don’t wanna jeopardise my chances of securing a TC

 

[meredithgrey]

Any advice on report writing for WE?