TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

So sorry to hear this, Jess! WG tends to go wrong if you second guess yourself because that’s your practical reasoning kicking in, and the test doesn’t reward that.

You’re attitude of “on to the next” is very emotionally grounded and mature, and you will eventually find the TC/firm that’s right for you.

I really appreciate this, thank you!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Just received an invite to the Travers recruitment day!! First AC ever, does anyone have advice? @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

Hi @GUt02 huge congrats for getting to the AC! The first thing I would advise you to do is to try to find out as much information as possible about Travers Smith's AC, as the kinds of questions asked and types of assessment used can differ significantly on a firm by firm basis. Having taken a look over some articles describing candidates' interview experiences at TS in 2022 and 2023 (available here on the Premium Database), it appears the AC consists of a single interview with a partner, which consists of both general motivational/competency questions and a debate on a commercial/political topic - much like the system used by Slaughter and May.

To prepare for the general competency/motivational interview part of the AC, take a look at the Complete Competency Interview Preparation Guide I wrote - it provides you with a detailed description of my step-by-step preparation process which led to a VS offer 4/4 times I implemented it. Besides the advice contained there, mindset-wise I would advise you to simply focus on doing well in the interview rather than putting too much strain on yourself to try and show yourself as exceptional (as I believe that often leads people to trip up and make significant mistakes). Moreover, try to slow down the pace of your speech, take strategic breaks, ask for clarification and do not rush into answering questions; a lot of people end up having bad interview performances simply because they try to do everything really quickly.

Finally, for the "debate" part of the interview, you should aim to stick to your argument and defend it despite push back from the partner, as a big point of that assessment is to see if you crack under pressure. However, do not stick to every point unreasonably - aim to acknowledge the valid considerations that the partner brings into the discussion whilst still insisting that all things consider, your view should prevail.

 

[ML07]

Hi guys, I am currently on a gap year with deferred entry to UCL (non law subject). I achieved A*BBB in my A levels (A* in 2024 and BBB in 2025). I am worried that my A levels will hold me back. Do firms care if I resit? Or is it considered equal? What should I do in the meantime? I have signed up for some virtual events. Thank you.

 

[shadowboxer909]

Hi guys, I am currently on a gap year with deferred entry to UCL (non law subject). I achieved A*BBB in my A levels (A* in 2024 and BBB in 2025). I am worried that my A levels will hold me back. Do firms care if I resit? Or is it considered equal? What should I do in the meantime? I have signed up for some virtual events. Thank you.

I'd imagine it depends on the firm.

There are some firms that don't have A-level requirements or have low ones - if you'd be re-sitting, the firms that care about A-level grades in the first place probably wouldn't take it too well. You'd be re-sitting to try and please those firms but those firms wouldn't be pleased that you re-sat in the first place. Kind of a rock and a hard place really.

There are some that would absolutely care while I suspect there are others that may be more lenient. But I'm no expert so someone will probably come along and tell you more precise, detailed information.

 

[lolololol]

hi guys i received the Jones day Interview invite, any tips / advice / insight would be really appreciated please!!!

 

[applicant3000]

Slaughters PFO applied early october

 

[DarrenB]

Does anyone know generally how long will it take for Slaughters to come back to our application with either a rejection/interview invite?

it really depends when you applied. If you applied earlier in their window, you might receive an invite to do the AC before Christmas. If you applied later in the window say early November, it's likely your AC will be in 2026.

 

[Amgrad]

For CC WG, were you able to come back to previous question like Cappfinity if you still have time and want to review them? Or is it like Amberjack? I just tried their practice questions and I can go back to all questions before submitting.

 

[Prudentia]

For CC WG, were you able to come back to previous question like Cappfinity if you still have time and want to review them? Or is it like Amberjack? I just tried their practice questions and I can go back to all questions before submitting.

Yes, you can go back and review your answers on the CC WG test. You're also given quite a lot of time to complete it. It's not actually 40 questions because about 10 of them are example questions. Good luck!

 

[Amgrad]

Yes, you can go back and review your answers on the CC WG test. You're also given quite a lot of time to complete it. It's not actually 40 questions because about 10 of them are example questions. Good luck!

Thank you. I've been practicing the hardest WG questions now and will do the real test by tomorrow, wish me luck

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Just wanted to confirm that Irwin Mitchell's TC application form has no written app questions?

 

[Amgrad]

Passed Clifford Chance WG! Now I am preparing for VI. Hopefully it's not Amberjack as it took ages to upload like Weil. Anyone had similar issue?

 

[Lawlawland]

Passed Clifford Chance WG! Now I am preparing for VI. Hopefully it's not Amberjack as it took ages to upload like Weil. Anyone had similar issue?

CC had a VI??

 

[Amgrad]

CC had a VI??

Not sure but the email said:

We are delighted to confirm that you have passed the test, congratulations!

Your application will now be progressed to the next stage of our process, application review. We do not recruit on a rolling basis and therefore all applications will be reviewed after the deadline for the vacancy.

If you applied for the London Training Contract, you will be informed whether you are invited to the video interview stage week commencing 8th December 2025. If you applied for SPARK, you will be informed on or by 5th March 2026.

 

[Amgrad]

If you pass the WG they read your written application. Then, if they like that they will proceed you to a 3 question VI with the AC as the last step after that.

Oh,. So Vi and AC, both on the same stage?

 

[lelezb1]

Oh,. So Vi and AC, both on the same stage?

You need to clear the Vi stage to get invited to the AC.

 

[Amgrad]

You need to clear the Vi stage to get invited to the AC.

Thank you for the clarification. I never met CC grad team before so I didn't know much about the process, the web also doesn't point it out

 

[BobThebIlly]

I also passed CC's WG!

 

[Vdfrz]

Anyone heard anything from Slaughters after DTC interview last week?

Hey, when did you apply? I applied on the 16th, haven’t heard back

 

[Andrei Radu]

hi guys i received the Jones day Interview invite, any tips / advice / insight would be really appreciated please!!!

Huge congrats on getting to the interview stage! I have listed a few helpful resources bellow:

• A page on TCLA with a number of candidates describing their interview experiences at JD in detail - these are freely accessible, but are from interviews that have taken place a few years back.
• A thread with an in-depth description of the interview form 2018
• A thread where a number of people were discussing their experiences in 2019
• On the premium database, in-depth discussions of more recent interview experiences (2021 and 2022)

Also, take a look at @Ram Sabaratnam's advice based on his experience a few years back:

Hi @unknownnn7372

Well done on getting to the AC! The Jones Day AC has changed a bit since I went through it in 2022, but you may be asked questions about areas of law or business that you’ve expressed interest in at the application stage. For example, I was asked several questions about the National Security and Investment Act, which made sense since I had mentioned my interest in the defence sector in my application. Keeping on top of current developments in areas you're passionate about will help demonstrate genuine interest and thought.

Also, as with any other AC, it’s critical to reflect on why you want to join Jones Day specifically. Besides the non-rotational training system, think about the firm’s global structure (the “one firm worldwide” approach), the practice areas it’s strong in, and its top-tier reputation for client service—Jones Day consistently ranks highly in surveys on client satisfaction. Being able to articulate why these aspects matter to you will help you stand out.

In terms of commercial awareness, reading the FT and keeping up with market trends is a great starting point. When applying to firms, I also found it helpful to practice analysing news stories myself. One thing that worked for me was actively analysing why specific events and trends were relevant to law firms and their clients. Every month or so, I would try to do the following:

• Choose one business story – This can be about anything you find interesting in the last day or two.
• Ask yourself key questions:
  • How might this impact a firm’s clients?
  • What practice areas could be affected? (e.g., corporate, litigation, regulatory)
  • Could it lead to new opportunities or risks for the business or industry involved?
  • How would you advise a client on this issue?
• Take notes in bullet points – I’d jot down why it mattered from both a business and legal perspective, thinking about how the story could drive client needs or affect firm strategy. This was also an opportunity for me to practice Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
• Apply your insights – This approach really helped later on during ACs and written exercises. I was able to refer back to these stories and show a deeper understanding of commercial issues when asked about recent developments.

It's also worth looking beyond the FT. For instance, I also found firm websites and industry reports (particularly from groups such as Deloitte or McKinsey) really useful in learning about recent financial and commercial trends that would inevitably impact law firms.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your AC