TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[A worried graduate]

Any tips on Ashurst’s psychometric test? Done it a couple of times. Very difficult and have never passed. Should I ask for reasonable adjustments? Could they reduce the test’s importance? It’s putting me off applying there. Funny how these things work sometimes. US firms with no tests whatsoever. Other firms with tests like Ashurst’s. Hence my differing success rate historically. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

 

[Tintin06]

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

Thanks - this is very helpful stuff. What personalities are they looking for? I’ve never passed a Cappfinity test.

 

[A worried graduate]

Thanks - this is very helpful stuff. What personalities are they looking for? I’ve never passed a Cappfinity test.

Usually you can see on a firm’s grad rec site what they want to see in a trainee.

Most cases the answer is to work with others, say yes to every opportunity , take risks , take every piece of tech going and to proofread yourself instead of getting someone else to.

If you want some practice, just apply to one of the big 4 as they all use them.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Is it still worth applying to still open DTCs as a non-law grad at this stage? E.g Baker McKenzie and Ashurst which I've seen are still open.

Hiya @S7321

Absolutely worth applying! The direct route at firms like Baker McKenzie or Ashurst is particularly great for candidates who can't easily manage the time off needed for a vacation scheme (especially if you're currently working full-time or you're based abroad). It's not just for law graduates fresh from uni or those with extensive legal vacation scheme experiences. I personally know applicants who've secured direct training contracts without doing any vacation schemes or studying law.

I think the key is making sure your application clearly highlights your motivations and demonstrates a strong alignment with the firm. Focus on communicating why you want to join specifically Baker McKenzie, Ashurst, etc., and show them how your experiences and interests genuinely match their culture, practice strengths, and areas of focus. Good luck!

 

[Mug Fan]

Cappfinity this year - Used by a lot of firms so should be more familiar

If you struggle with those, then consider asking, but they usually are personality tests more than anything else with a minority also including a grammar review task (Always about a travel agency takeover ''SetSail LLC'')

While the cappfinities have these attachments and voicemails etc, you can usually answer the question without looking at them.

Why’s it always Setsail?! 🤣 I need to look them up. I hope it is that one again - I’ve actually passed it. TWICE. 🤯

 

[A worried graduate]

Why’s it always Setsail?! 🤣 I need to look them up. I hope it is that one again - I’ve actually passed it. TWICE. 🤯

Anyone here with a guide on that as I have no idea if I am passing and I never use semicolons and that sort of thing (Only got a C in English GCSE too! )

As for Setsail, they are just too lazy to make new text so made one and rolled with it. Them and Amberjack seem to pitch all these things to grad recs to look good but they often make little sense.

There is another company (SNL maybe) who have even weirder personality tests that ask random questions that contradict.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

So they've recently changed their test to Cappfinity I think, at least for the direct TC. Just fyi in case you weren't aware. They mentioned this was very new at a careers event.

They’ve scrapped arctic shores!?!? Thank god

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Anyone got advice for the Bakers application? No ‘why law’ or ‘why bakers’… always a struggle and for some reason I have a 0% success rate with firms using cvmail… makes me think I’m inputting something incorrectly

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Ashurst application)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[kittyking42]

Has anyone heard back from Harbottle & Lewis after first stage interview or know how long to hear?

 

[LawInTheNorth]

How long have Baker McKenzie been taking this cycle to get back to DTC?

 

[Mug Fan]

Holding myself accountable again (Ashurst application)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

Was your Morgan Lewis VS? Or DTC? If you don’t mind me asking.

 

[Tintin06]

Was your Morgan Lewis VS? Or DTC? If you don’t mind me asking.

You can apply for both opportunities. Rejected from their summer scheme already. Can still go for the TC

 

[cattyadams3]

Has anyone hear back from Ward Hadaway post video interview?

I havnt yet! Have you?

 

[Tintin06]

Today’s Hogan Lovells news? There is no Hogan Lovells news.

 

[Deleted member 31571]

How long have Baker McKenzie been taking this cycle to get back to DTC?

They aren't sending out any online tests before the deadline because they review all applications first - online tests will be sent to successful applicants from the first week of April. Not sure if they reject anyone based on just the written app before the deadline, I think they are one of those firms that take their time and send out super late rejections

 

[B101]

Just got sent Mayer Browns test. Does anyone know if it’s automatic?

 

[Deleted member 31571]

It is.

Just got sent Mayer Browns test. Does anyone know if it’s automatic?

 

[Deleted member 31571]

K&S anyone?

 

[Tintin06]

K&S anyone?

Curious about the numbers going forward. Four Training Contracts available from them. How many will get to AC? Two round process for the TC. It’s similar for Paul Hastings’ TCs. Hopefully we hear from them soon. March ACs would be short notice. I feel like it’ll be April.