Allen & Overy SJT
- Thread starter Polzovatel
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I'vejust checked mine after seeing this. Rejected yesterday for 2022 TC but no notification yet. Passed SJT, applied 5 days before deadline.
Hey! I had become very impatient and actually called them yesterday to ask for an update. I was told that my app hasn’t been reviewed yet and I should hear back early next week. I applied on the 5th August, so quite early which makes me believe they were reviewing the 2020 TC apps first.
Hope this helps
Jessica Booker
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Ahhh I see, I applied around the same time as you! I guess that probably makes sense! Thank you!
Jessica Booker
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Application numbers are probably still relatively low right now. Many recruitment teams will wait for a good number of applications to come through before they start to review them. Its a lot easier to review 30-40 applications a day and get consistency on them, than reviewing 5-8 applications every few days or even once a week.
It’s really not easy to say unless the firm publicly states this. It depends on various factors that we, outside of the organisation, can’t know.
I applied on 27 Aug, did the SJT right away and heard back last week (rejected)!
Did this ever change for you? The same thing has happened to me just now. Wondering if it's worth holding out the hope it may change. Seems so strange that they've done both.
Unfortunately, I got a proper rejection a few days later. I didn't post about that ultimate rejection because I was too sad at the time to do so. I've luckily since then bounced back to my optimistic self.
Anyway, since this thread keeps on growing, here are my top tips for future applicants doing A&O's SJT:
- Take a look at the "What we look for" part of A&O's brochure since the test is measuring your alignment with these. Memorise it, print it out, or do whatever helps you, and then use it to guide your responses when you are stuck between choices.
- When you do the sample question, take a moment to really understand the logic behind why an answer might be more or less effective. You can find the clip here but you will also be shown it on the test. It really helps to write it out or explain it to a friend.
- This assessment seems to be the same throughout the years. So, if you successfully have done it in the past, use the same email to apply to A&O as you had done before. It looks like re-applicants who already passed don't have to do the test again due to technical issues with the provider.
- In the event you don't pass the test, please realise the limitations of this assignment. As a trainee, your responses are going to look a lot more complex and multi-step than any of the test responses look like. One of my mentors is a partner at a City firm and I told them about some of the scenarios after my rejection and they just laughed at how all the responses sucked. Failing this test does in no way mean that you won't be a great solicitor.
Same here, although I remember in another forum someone said they were progressed on to the next stage via email even though they saw a rejection in the application portal first? Not sure if that was a glitch but because of that I'm keeping optimistic until they email me haha
