So I decided to post some tips which I feel gave me some success this cycle. I am by no means qualified to give this advice as I have not received 5 VS offers or invited to lots of ACs, but I thought I’d still like to give some tips and tricks
Application:
My main advice would be to be honest with yourself about your profile when applying in such a competitive process.
Having a strong, tailored application is important, but it will not always be enough if you do not meet a firm’s baseline criteria. For example, I do not have a stellar academic profile, so I was quite strategic with where I applied. I avoided firms with strict grade requirements, as it would likely be a poor use of an application. Instead, I focused on firms that assess candidates more broadly. For example, OC does not place a strong emphasis on grades, but focuses more on the written application and assessments such as verbal reasoning tests and the WG. Therefore, I think understanding my own strengths and weaknesses made a difference for me this cycle.
Group Task:
My main advice here would be to focus on making valuable contributions rather than trying to speak the most. You don’t need to dominate the discussion, but what you say should move the conversation forward. For example, what you say should build on someone’s point or help the group reach a decision. It’s also important to bring quieter people into the discussion. That demonstrates good teamwork and shows you are aware of group dynamics. Moreover, there will almost always be someone who dominates the conversation. Managing this well is key. For example, if the dominant person is moving on too quickly on a point you wanted to substantiate, you can say something like “before we move on, I just wanted to add…”. Those are my main tips for the group task. You don’t have to be a time keeper to do well.
Commercial Awareness:
I initially thought commercial awareness was just about keeping up with news and understanding how it affects firms and their clients. But it goes further than that. It’s also about understanding how a law firm actually operates as a business — how it wins work, how it makes money, the difference between billable hours and fixed fees, and how firms add value to clients (especially with AI becoming more prominent). It also helps to think about a firm’s positioning — where it is strong, where it may be weaker, and how it stays competitive in light of these weaknesses for example. That broader understanding was particularly useful for me in both the group task and interview.
Interview:
Know the firm inside out and understand what your key motivations are for applying there. Understand who the firms competitions are and how they stand out. For example, I was asked in my interview, which other firms I had applied for, instead of of just starting the firms, I went above and beyond by stating how the firm stood out from the other ones I had applied to. Also know your competencies well, not just STAR but also how a situation made you feel etc.
. I think if I had applied when Gemma was around I would’ve at least reached VI stage). 
