Ashurst - Winter Vacation Scheme 2023

[lawyerinzootopia]

You never know this these tests, it might have gone better than you thought! Out of curiosity, how long did it take for you to receive an invite for the tests after submitting your application?

It took about 12 hours!

 

[leaaa2023]

Hey all, what are the psychometric tests like? Are there any materials to prepare? Thanks!

 

[prospectiveswitcher]

You never know this these tests, it might have gone better than you thought! Out of curiosity, how long did it take for you to receive an invite for the tests after submitting your application?

I got one about 2 hours after submitting. I believe they are automated.

 

[prospectiveswitcher]

Hey all, what are the psychometric tests like? Are there any materials to prepare? Thanks!

The tests are Cognify, Emotify, and a 'values' test (its not like SJT, it's just asking you to rank things in the workplace you like).

I just did them and as others have echoed - they appear quite tough, however I feel they are trying to put you under a lot of pressure. My only advice would be to google Cognify and Emotify to get a feel for them.
The cognify one is largely split into games:
Game 1 you kind of move tetris shapes to fit a block - I actually found this surprisingly tough
Game 2 you need to do very quick mental maths - would be worth brushing up on this. I actually recommend looking up mental maths tips for consulting/banking interviews as this will help. Being quick with times tables would be useful.
Game 3 is similarly maths - you are given two sets of numbers and asked to identify which is larger or smaller
Game 4 involves moving a marble around a track and obstacles with the least 'distance' covered - hard to explain. No real way to practice for it.
The Emotify games ask you to match pictures of faces to emotions, or match pictures of faces to written scenarios (e.g. 'John went to the shop and spilled coffee on his shirt' - you pick a sad face). These felt surprisingly difficult as some of the faces have very slight or subtle differences so it's not always clear what would be appropriate.

It is definitely high pressure - my best advice would be do not panic if you feel you are getting a few wrong in a row. Try and stay focused on what is in front of you. Takes about an hour.

 

[leaaa2023]

The tests are Cognify, Emotify, and a 'values' test (its not like SJT, it's just asking you to rank things in the workplace you like).

I just did them and as others have echoed - they appear quite tough, however I feel they are trying to put you under a lot of pressure. My only advice would be to google Cognify and Emotify to get a feel for them.
The cognify one is largely split into games:
Game 1 you kind of move tetris shapes to fit a block - I actually found this surprisingly tough
Game 2 you need to do very quick mental maths - would be worth brushing up on this. I actually recommend looking up mental maths tips for consulting/banking interviews as this will help. Being quick with times tables would be useful.
Game 3 is similarly maths - you are given two sets of numbers and asked to identify which is larger or smaller
Game 4 involves moving a marble around a track and obstacles with the least 'distance' covered - hard to explain. No real way to practice for it.
The Emotify games ask you to match pictures of faces to emotions, or match pictures of faces to written scenarios (e.g. 'John went to the shop and spilled coffee on his shirt' - you pick a sad face). These felt surprisingly difficult as some of the faces have very slight or subtle differences so it's not always clear what would be appropriate.

It is definitely high pressure - my best advice would be do not panic if you feel you are getting a few wrong in a row. Try and stay focused on what is in front of you. Takes about an hour.

This is very helpful, I thank you very much! Best of luck

 

[Jaysen]

Oh interesting, this is also exactly what I said but it was genuinely off the top of my head, I did not leverage any 'sources'.

I'm hoping I covered some ground here by referencing in a holistic / conceptual way what lawyers do for clients too (I mentioned things like effectively allocating risk, seeking out best interests of clients, being commercial as well as legal advisers?) along with the specifics of contentious / transactional work 😬 but a bit nervous if that answer was being rolled out by many.

In that case, this will be fine as you will write this in your own way. The challenge is when applicants use the same phrasing (which becomes noticeable quickly!).

And yes - that would actually be my approach, so I think it sounds like a great answer. There are many ways to answer the question, but I think it's important to not think only in terms of 'corporate lawyer does X', but what is the fundamental role of a commercial lawyer?

 

[Slog4TC]

Any advice for the Ashurst assessment centre? This is my first vacation scheme application and I have no idea what to expect!

 

[F12M34L]

Any advice for the Ashurst assessment centre? This is my first vacation scheme application and I have no idea what to expect!

Hey can I ask when did u apply

 

[Slog4TC]

Hey can I ask when did u apply

07/09

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

any advice on the written exercise for Ashurst AC?

 

[anisiazlataru30]

Anyone heard back from them after you completed the tests?

 

[lawtrainee]

Hi, has anyone been invited to the assessment centre following the tests?

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

Anyone heard post written exercise?

 

[lawyerinzootopia]

Anyone heard post written exercise?

Nope... not too hopeful tbh

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

Anyone know when we can expect to hear back? Wasn’t today the last one ?

I am not hopeful either @lawyerinzootopia, just want to know when to expect the rejection email so I can avoid opening my emails until I am ready, spotted TWO typos and I feel like I missed some points - there was too much to breakdown and the layout threw me.

It was hard. They said the latest was 26th, but was just curious to know if anyone heard earlier.

I don't think you are meant to get every point down. I think it is whether you got the MAIN ones down with a justified explanation. So don't rule yourself out just yet good luck!

 

[lawyerinzootopia]

Anyone know when we can expect to hear back? Wasn’t today the last one ?

I am not hopeful either @lawyerinzootopia, just want to know when to expect the rejection email so I can avoid opening my emails until I am ready, spotted TWO typos and I feel like I missed some points - there was too much to breakdown and the layout threw me.

Im so sorry for the confusion - I read the post completely wrong.. I haven't even had a response (rejection I presume at this point) regarding the initial application 😭

But best of luck to you!! I hope they respond soon!

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

anyone who did the WE, plz DM me

 

[rkmg2510]

Hi everyone! Congrats to all who have received good news and passed the relevant stages. I haven't received anything from Ashurst since the first email acknowledging receipt of the application and saying they'd be in touch by November 10th. I have done the standard cognify, emotify and WAA tests, but nothing since. Would it be safe to assume that this one was unsuccessful? Has anyone received a rejection yet?

 

[legallyells]

Hi everyone! Congrats to all who have received good news and passed the relevant stages. I haven't received anything from Ashurst since the first email acknowledging receipt of the application and saying they'd be in touch by November 10th. I have done the standard cognify, emotify and WAA tests, but nothing since. Would it be safe to assume that this one was unsuccessful? Has anyone received a rejection yet?

hey! i’m in the exact same situation, not heard anything since the acknowledgment email, hopefully we’ll get an answer soon! fingers crossed!

 

[BubbleTeaFan]

Hi everyone! Congrats to all who have received good news and passed the relevant stages. I haven't received anything from Ashurst since the first email acknowledging receipt of the application and saying they'd be in touch by November 10th. I have done the standard cognify, emotify and WAA tests, but nothing since. Would it be safe to assume that this one was unsuccessful? Has anyone received a rejection yet?

same! keeping fingers crossed