TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[spamelinazoid]

Are the Bakers VI qs the same format as previous years - 1 competency, 1 commercial and 1 ‘odd’ (ESG/AI/DEI)

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, I’d like some advice from the forum as I’m trying to decide whether to continue applying to TCs in the next cycle if this one doesn’t work out. Objectively speaking, I feel like I’ll be a lot older than my peers when the TC starts (either 30/31 depending on entry). I’ll also lose out on almost 2 years of work experience in my own country as I’m not from the UK. The process itself has been very disheartening so far, and while I’d really like to get a TC and have been working towards it, I’m not sure I can take another cycle of this. This was my 2nd cycle, and it hasn’t been very kind to me. I realise it’s a subjective decision, but I’d truly appreciate any advice on what I should do. Thank you.

Hi!

I just wanted to say that I really don't think being 30/31 when starting a TC is "old" at all! There are plenty of trainees who come into law later, whether they changed careers, did further study, worked abroad, or simply took longer to break in to an increasingly competitive industry. In many cases, that extra work (+ life!) experience becomes a strength rather than a disadvantage that will hold you back.

I also think it is important not to underestimate how much work this process is and how emotionally draining it can be, which I can imagine is heightened as an international applicant. Two cycles of applications and uncertainty can wear you down, so it does make complete sense that you are questioning whether you want to put yourself through another round. However, half of the battle with breaking into this career is having the resilience to keep going despite setbacks, as unfortunately a lot of strong candidates do not secure a TC on their first or second cycle.

From my own experience, on every vacation scheme I've done there have always been a few people around the 30/31 age range - they are often career changers, people who had been paralegalling for a few years, or candidates who had legal experience in another jurisdiction before applying in the UK. They have never stood out negatively in a cohort or seemed "behind" anyone else. If anything, they often came across as more grounded and confident because of the experience they brought with them, particularly as plenty of people who complete vacation schemes may still be in university and have little experience with the professional working world. If you can show how that experience will make you a good trainee, firms will really value that perspective and the potential it brings.

I also remember a recent post that Jaysen made (which I have quoted below) where he mentioned it often takes people around three cycles to secure a TC. A lot of people who eventually get offers are not doing so on their first attempt, and this process is unfortunately incredibly competitive. I think it is quite easy to feel behind when you see people posting their TC offers online, but people rarely post the rejections, unsuccessful cycles, or setbacks that came before those successes. You are often seeing the final outcome rather than the full picture, and I think that can really distort how "behind" you feel compared to others.

I don't think there is a "right" answer here, and it really comes down to whether the long-term outcome of becoming a solicitor stills feels worth the short-term cost to you personally. However, I definitely wouldn't make the decision purely based on age or feeling behind your peers, as in practice people enter the profession at all different stages in their professional lives.

Whatever you do decide, I'd take comfort in the fact that none of this effort will be wasted. Even if you are no longer interested in pursuing a career as a solicitor, the skills, resilience, and interview experience that you have built through the process will still carry value in other fields or career paths too. I really hope you do not lose confidence in yourself, as many strong future trainees are in exactly the same position as you right now, even if it does not always feel that way. All it takes is that one yes!

I'm sorry

Most people I speak to take three cycles. The first cycle is learning 'what to do', the second is learning how to do well, and the third is pulling it all together from the start of the cycle.

But it's only your first cycle! So it definitely does get better. Often, it's not the case that you did anything wrong, but that there were other candidates who stood out.

STAR should be really specific. I'd pick one very clear example of one situation, focus most of your answer on the actions you took, and talk about your answer in a way that is memorable. I encourage every applicant to make a point to show off, not in the way you deliver your answers, but in being very precise about what you did that went above and beyond.

I know it's rubbish to get rejected, and please give yourself time to recover. The best thing you can do is separate the rejection from your identity as an applicant. The more you associate a rejection with 'maybe I'm not good enough for this', the more you're likely to give up. But if you're able to see the rejection as a data point: 'Okay, I didn't get this one. I should work out why, and then move on to the next one', the more you're likely to last the time it takes to get the training contract.

 

[livelaughlawve]

Bit of a rant but I really don't recommend an evening interview to anyone. You wake up early and have poor sleep becuase of stress, spend the day just stressing more, then by the time you get to the interview you are tired and your brain is fried. Let's hope I can pull through...

 

[spamelinazoid]

Bit of a rant but I really don't recommend an evening interview to anyone. You wake up early and have poor sleep becuase of stress, spend the day just stressing more, then by the time you get to the interview you are tired and your brain is fried. Let's hope I can pull through...

is this for a VI?

 

[livelaughlawve]

is this for a VI?

Nope, live one over video call

 

[p2bv]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi abbie!

I have a final direct training contract interview coming up and was wondering if you have any advice? I know for a final interview after a vac scheme you’re meant to talk about your experience on the scheme but because i haven’t done a vac scheme i’m not sure how my answers are meant to differ from the previous interviews. Do you have any advice?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Nope, live one over video call

Evening interview is mad

 

[nicoledm]

has anyone heard from browne jacobson

 

[emmyy]

It's been a week since I did the first mcfarlanes test... should I assume no invite for the second test yet is bad news?

 

[cooked2000]

Anyone heard from S&C DTC, and what was the consensus on their timelines for DTCs last year?

 

[AryanAgg]

Is the cover letter to be kept at a single page or 1.5 pages can also work?

 

[a0]

got invited to reed smith's application form stage!

omg this is what i needed after the flood of rejections

 

[sqe4676]

Has anyone had any experience with the Law Society's diversity access scheme interview by any chance?

 

[shays]

to get invite to the written answers for Reed Smith, do they first look at your test result and the video interview? or do they assess that later with the written answers?

 

[AryanAgg]

to get invite to the written answers for Reed Smith, do they first look at your test result and the video interview? or do they assess that later with the written answers?

I think the test and vi are getting assessed first and then after application answer submission, the entire profile will be reviewed again for the AC invite

 

[shays]

I think the test and vi are getting assessed first and then after application answer submission, the entire profile will be reviewed again for the AC invite

I see, cause like I just got the written submission invite (extremely happy obviously it's been a rough cycle) however I find it very hard to believe I would have passed Amberjack of all tests for the first time for Reed Smith of all firms not to mention the VI lmao

 

[TCapplicant1005]

Hey guys, I’d like some advice from the forum as I’m trying to decide whether to continue applying to TCs in the next cycle if this one doesn’t work out. Objectively speaking, I feel like I’ll be a lot older than my peers when the TC starts (either 30/31 depending on entry). I’ll also lose out on almost 2 years of work experience in my own country as I’m not from the UK. The process itself has been very disheartening so far, and while I’d really like to get a TC and have been working towards it, I’m not sure I can take another cycle of this. This was my 2nd cycle, and it hasn’t been very kind to me. I realise it’s a subjective decision, but I’d truly appreciate any advice on what I should do. Thank you.

I am in the same boat as you. I am an international applicant, and I will be 30 next year, and I still haven't secured a training contract yet.
I was very close to giving up this cycle, but my best friend told me not to give up on my "first love". I think I needed to hear that, considering it takes about 3 cycles to get a TC, and this is my second one. Plus, I feel like it takes longer for international applicants needing a visa sponsorship, because we cannot apply to all the firms out there. Our options are limited to those offering a sponsorship. I know it is disheartening to see rejections all the time, but I think in the end, it will be worth it if being a solicitor is what you really desire.

 

[Legalnomad]

I see, cause like I just got the written submission invite (extremely happy obviously it's been a rough cycle) however I find it very hard to believe I would have passed Amberjack of all tests for the first time for Reed Smith of all firms not to mention the VI lmao

Congratulations! How long did it take for you to receive the written submission invite? As in, when did you submit your SJT and VI?

 

[shays]

Congratulations! How long did it take for you to receive the written submission invite? As in, when did you submit your SJT and VI?

thanks! I did the test and VI last Sunday (or like not this past but the week before).

 

[Legalnomad]

thanks! I did the test and VI last Sunday (or like not this past but the week before).

Thank you! Do you remember your scores for the Amberjack? I'm worried one of mine may be too low to meet their threshold