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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
I’m about to submit my DTC application for Macfarlanes but I have a holiday coming up and just wanted to check the time line of next steps. Is the first test automatic and how long are we given to complete? How long after that is the job sim sent (I’m not assuming I’ll get to this stage obv.!) and how long are you given to complete? Would love a bit of info (just on timings not content) before I submit if anyone could help please? Thanks v much!
When I applied for the vac scheme the first step is automatic and you’re given a week to do it and after that i Think it was pretty quick and it came about a week after. And then for the job sim it’s also a week!! Neither are times but there’s VI for the job sim
Hey!
Congratulations on the interview invite!!
Whilst I don't have any specific insights into BCLP's strengths based interview, I have written a few posts previously on strengths-based interviews more generally. I have quoted those below - hopefully they are a useful starting point!
Wishing you the best of luck with the interview!
Hi!
Just to add to Andrei's advice, I thought I'd share my past experiences with strengths-based interview questions!
For these types of of questions, the important element is to answer truthfully and be yourself. They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm. In preparation for the interview, I would make a note of what your key strengths are, and how they align with the skills needed to be a trainee (and what the role involves).
If you are given a hypothetical scenario, I'd talk the interviewer through each step that you would take to address the situation, and how you would use your personal strengths to aid you in handling anything that comes up.
Additionally, I've also found that the questions can be reflective in nature and may ask you specific questions about your way of workings. For an interview I did on a vacation scheme, I was asked "What type of person are you under pressure?" (which definitely threw me off!). There isn't necessarily one right answer here, and I would take a moment to actually think your answer through and consider how you usually approach these situations. It might be helpful to reflect on your past experiences and weave these into your answer, so that the interviewer can see that you are rooting your answer in concrete examples.
I hope that helps!
Hey!
It's totally normal to feel nervous, but I'd try to remember that they've progressed you this far for a reason! From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would try to build rapport with the interviewers by being warm, engaged and genuine - try to treat it as a discussion rather than a formal assessment (whilst still remaining professional, of course!). Interviewers are human too, and sometimes asking genuine questions about their roles and career journeys can go a long way to show your interest in the firm.
When answering strengths-based questions, I'd focus less on giving a "model answer" and more on explaining how you naturally think and work. They are likely trying to see what motivates you, what you enjoy doing, and how you respond in real situations. In a previous strengths-based interview I completed, I was asked questions such as "What kind of person are you under pressure?" - this definitely threw me off, but the important part is to just be honest! You don't need long STAR-style answers, as short and specific examples are usually more than enough to demonstrate your point.
It can also help to link your answers back to the kind of environment BCLP offers (e.g. collaboration, adaptability, etc.), while still remaining genuine. The goal is to show that your strengths would translate well into how trainees at BCLP actually work day to day, and that you are motivated to work in the kind of environment that BCLP has.
I hope that assists, and wishing you the best of luck with your interview - I'm sure you'll do great!
Thank you so much - this is greatHey!
Congratulations on the interview invite!!
Whilst I don't have any specific insights into BCLP's strengths based interview, I have written a few posts previously on strengths-based interviews more generally. I have quoted those below - hopefully they are a useful starting point!
Wishing you the best of luck with the interview!
Congrats! Sorry I don’t have any insights but I was just wondering when you completed the online test!
No worries - I completed it about 2 weeks ago
Hi all - does anyone know for certain if the time you take to complete the Browne Jacobson test is factored in when they assess our answers? I know it's not a timed assessment but are they still monitoring (and assessing) how much time we take?
I just did part one and am exhausted so am planning to do part 2 (the written answers) tomorrow. Thanks!
I just did part one and am exhausted so am planning to do part 2 (the written answers) tomorrow. Thanks!
@Abbie Whitlock
Hi, hope you're well! Thank you for all of your advice and support on these forums!
'In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications and work experience equipped you for a legal career?' - for this question, do you recommend addressing each part of the question, or is it ok for the whole answer to be just different WEX as I feel that I discuss those better?
Hi, hope you're well! Thank you for all of your advice and support on these forums!
'In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications and work experience equipped you for a legal career?' - for this question, do you recommend addressing each part of the question, or is it ok for the whole answer to be just different WEX as I feel that I discuss those better?
I did it last year and remember it being a pretty standard cappfinity test with nothing to catch you out. They did ghost me after my second interview which I thought was kind of rude!
Hey!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I would recommend addressing all parts of the question (academic studies, qualifications, and work experience), even if the weighting isn't equal. The question seems to be inviting you to show a holistic picture of your preparation for a legal career, so completely omitting academics or qualification could make the answer feel slightly unbalanced.
However, I don't think you need to force equal space for each. If your work experience is the strongest area, it is absolutely fine for that to form the bulk of your answer. I would approach it as:
1. Briefly highlight 1-2 key academic skills or highlights (e.g. analytical thinking, research, written communication, etc)
2. Then, focus more heavily on your work experience, drawing out specific skills and linking them clearly to a legal career
I'd just remember to avoid just listing experiences and instead explain how they have equipped you for a legal career - this could include skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, client awareness, teamwork, etc.
Best of luck with your application!!
Hi @Abbie Whitlock
Do you have any advice on approaching/answering these two questions
What are the benefits of having a sector approach and why?
The legal landscape is always changing and we value lawyers who are future ready. What do you perceive to be the biggest challenges facing trainee solicitors in the next 5 years and how will you manage this?
Do you have any advice on approaching/answering these two questions
What are the benefits of having a sector approach and why?
The legal landscape is always changing and we value lawyers who are future ready. What do you perceive to be the biggest challenges facing trainee solicitors in the next 5 years and how will you manage this?
Hi!
I would say it is helpful to split this question into its two main elements: why you are suited to a career at the firm, and how you will use these skills as a trainee solicitor.
1. Why you are suited to career at the firm
This question is about your skills, qualities, and motivations, but I would ensure that it is tailored to the specific firm that you are applying to. I would try to:
- Identify 2-3 key skills (e.g. commercial awareness, teamwork, attention to detail, client focus, etc.)
- Support each with a brief example from your past experiences (e.g. academics, work experience, extra-curriculars)
- Link those skills to what the firm values (it might help to have a look at their website to see what they emphasise!)
Generally, I would avoid writing a generic "skills paragraph" and then a separate "why the firm" paragraph. To write a strong answer, you should aim to blend the two so that it feels like a clear match.
2. How will you use these skills as a trainee solicitor
When the question asks how you will use your skills as a trainee solicitor, they are testing whether you understand what trainees actually do day-to-day and whether you can translate your skills into that context.
A helpful way to think about it could be: skill -> trainee task -> value to the firm and clients
A few examples that might be a helpful reference point:
- Attention to detail: as a trainee, you might use this when reviewing documents during due diligence, proofreading contracts, or checking bundles before submission. Small errors could have significant consequences for the firm and the client, so showing precision helps maintain high quality work and reduces risks for the client
- Teamwork: trainees rarely work in isolation, and will be supporting associates and partners, often across different departments. Strong teamwork means being reliable, responsive, and adaptable - overall, helping transactions run smoothly and ensuring that deadlines are met!
- Communication: this isn't necessarily just about speaking confidently. As a trainee, you'll need to summarise complex legal points into clear and concise emails or notes, and sometimes liaise with clients or other parties. Therefore, good communication ensures that advice is practical and accessible to different individuals.
- Commercial awareness: this generally shows up most in understanding why a client is doing something, rather than just the legal mechanics. As a trainee, this could mean tailoring research to the client's sector or flagging risks that are commercially important.
I hope that gives you a clearer idea of how you could develop your answer, and best of luck with your application!
Hi!Hi @Abbie Whitlock
Do you have any advice on approaching/answering these two questions
What are the benefits of having a sector approach and why?
The legal landscape is always changing and we value lawyers who are future ready. What do you perceive to be the biggest challenges facing trainee solicitors in the next 5 years and how will you manage this?
I'd say that these are both quite classic commercial awareness questions, so it is less about having the perfect answer and more about showing how you think.
For the sector approach question, I would start by asking yourself why firms organise themselves in this way rather than purely by practice area. From there, try to build your answer around things such as:
- How it helps firms understand clients' businesses more deeply
- How that translates into more tailored and commercially relevant advice
- How it might benefit the firm itself (e.g. stronger client relationships, cross-selling, position in the market, etc.)
For the "future-ready trainee" question, it can help to pick 2-3 key challenges rather than listing everything. Some challenges that you could consider include:
- Legal tech and AI
- Increasing client expectations
- Regulatory change
- Workload and resilience
Best of luck with your application!
Thank you so much AbbieHi!
I'd say that these are both quite classic commercial awareness questions, so it is less about having the perfect answer and more about showing how you think.
For the sector approach question, I would start by asking yourself why firms organise themselves in this way rather than purely by practice area. From there, try to build your answer around things such as:
If you wanted to take it slightly further, you could briefly link it to a sector that the firm is known for and think about why that sector focus is valuable right now.
- How it helps firms understand clients' businesses more deeply
- How that translates into more tailored and commercially relevant advice
- How it might benefit the firm itself (e.g. stronger client relationships, cross-selling, position in the market, etc.)
For the "future-ready trainee" question, it can help to pick 2-3 key challenges rather than listing everything. Some challenges that you could consider include:
The important part of the question is the second half ("how you'll manage them"). I would try to pair each challenge with something practical (e.g. adaptability, commercial awareness, willingness to engage with tech, staying up to date with developments, etc.). It is ultimately about showing that you understand how the profession is changing, and that you are responding in a proactive way (rather than reactive).
- Legal tech and AI
- Increasing client expectations
- Regulatory change
- Workload and resilience
Best of luck with your application!
Has anyone heard back from DAC Beachcroft following the written exercise?
Has anyone received the Watson Glaser test, or knows how soon Baker McKenzie sends it after submitting a DTC application?
Is it a standard watson glaser or an amberjack style assessment?
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