I've had this. I think you just have to decide which one you prefer/stand the best chance at converting. Unless there are multiple AC dates@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VSI don't think it is possible to take a day out from VS coz the firm expects full attendance. What should I do in this situation?
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Thank you so much for your reply, Abbie!! It helps me a lot and I will try to record myself. Hope you are having a great dayHello!
This is a really common piece of feedback, and something I definitely struggled with during my first couple of interviews. However, it is definitely fixable with a bit of structure and practice!
A big part of being concise is having a clear structure in your head before you start speaking. For most answers, I would try to think in a simple framework such as: point -> example -> result. You almost want to lead with your conclusion first (so that it is clear what you are discussing), rather than building up to it. For example, instead of talking around an experience and hoping the point becomes clear, I would start with the key message and then briefly support it - for example, "I developed my ability to manage competing deadlines during my internship at X, where I...".
It can also really help to limit yourself to one strong example per question. It might be that your answers become longer as you are trying to include lots of information - I can totally understand why, as it might be that a few of your experiences fit the question, but one well-explained example is almost always more effective than three rushed ones.
Additionally, I would aim for answers that are around 60-90 seconds in length. When practising, it helps to actually time yourself with a stopwatch and see how long you are taking. It can definitely feel slightly unnatural at first, but it quickly builds an internal sense of what "concise enough" sounds like, and you'll often realise when you are talking for too long.
You might also find it useful to signpost your answer as you - even something simple such as "there are two main things I took from this experience..." helps keep you focused and reassures the interviewer that your answer is structured and concise. However, I would be cautious of doing this with video interviews unless you are able to practice first, as it might be that you run out of time and are unable to make the final point you wanted to make.
Finally, I would try to avoid being afraid to stop once you have made your point. In my experience, I kept talking during interviews as the silence made me uncomfortable and I felt a need to fill it, but in interviews, clarity is much more important than filling space for the sake of it.
If you can, I would really recommend recording yourself answering some of the more common questions, as it is one of the fastest ways to spot where you are over-explaining or going off track. This is something that you can improve really quickly with practice, so try not to worry too much about it!
No problem at all - I used to hate recording myself doing a mock interview, but I would always recommend it as it is a great way of picking up little things that you might not notice!Thank you so much for your reply, Abbie!! It helps me a lot and I will try to record myself. Hope you are having a great day
I am, thank you (mainly because the sun is shining!
) - hope you are too 
Does anyone have any insight into the Withers DTC first-stage interview over Teams? Would be really grateful for any tips anyone might be able to share!
I heard back from them a couple of hours ago having completed the proofreading exercise over the weekend. Hopefully, you'll hear back from them soon post the SJT
Also, is it worth applying to W&C even though I have mitigating circumstances at A-levels and don't meet their minimum? I haven't seen anyone get in with them, not to mention even the best of them get rejected so I'm having serious doubts.
Has anyone heard back from Greenberg (GT) since their interview? Or anything from Curtis or King & Spalding?
Hey!@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VS
First of all, congratulations on the AC invite (even if the timing is stressful)!
In this situation, I would say that the best first step is to email RPCs graduate recruitment team as soon as possible and explain the clash. Firms will deal with this sort of conflict all the time, and being on a vacation scheme is a completely valid reason to not be able to attend. There is a chance that they will have alternative AC dates that haven't been released yet (which was the case when I went through the same situation last cycle), so they might be able to let you book onto one of those dates. I would just be polite, clear, and flexible in your email, and emphasise that you are still very keen to attend if possible.
If they aren't able to offer another AC date, then you might have to think a bit more strategically about which opportunity you want to prioritise. I (somehow!) was in this situation twice last cycle, and whilst I was able to attend a different AC date for one, the other wasn't able to move and the only option was to complete it during the vacation scheme (or not attend). Luckily, my VS firm was very understanding and allowed me to take the morning off to go to the AC, but I appreciate that this isn't something that all candidates will feel comfortable doing (as I definitely worried that it might affect my conversion chances at the VS firm). It will differ between firms, and if the AC is for the whole day it might not be possible, but it is always worth asking just to see how the firm usually approaches these types of conflicts.
Overall, I'd definitely start with RPC and see what they say - I'm sure the graduate recruitment team will do all that they can so that you are able to attend, especially given the circumstances. Hope it works out for you (+ best of luck with the VS!)
Hey!
If you have genuine mitigating circumstances, I definitely think it is worth applying - firms will take those into account when assessing your application! If you are able to write a strong answers to the application questions and have included clear reflections and insights in your work experience section, I think it is unlikely that they'll reject you based on your A-Level grades.
As long as you explain your circumstances clearly and show strong performance elsewhere (for example, in your university grades or other education), it is definitely worth a shot. You are not necessarily out of the running just because you don't meet the minimum grade requirements, as that is why the mitigating circumstances section exists!
I know someone that got a TC at W&C with ABC at A-level and a 2:1 from a non-RG. Ofc they had other things to compensate for that, but W&C isn’t as strict about the A-levels as other firms. In any case, mit circs or being flagged as contextual will cancel out these requirements.
I wasn’t successful with W&C for the WVS but it’s cos I had SPAG errors on my form. However, I have had great success with other firms like Debevoise, Gibson Dunn and Sidley, who all seek AAA, which I marginally miss. So I think you should defo apply to W&C and give it a shot tbh.
I wasn’t successful with W&C for the WVS but it’s cos I had SPAG errors on my form. However, I have had great success with other firms like Debevoise, Gibson Dunn and Sidley, who all seek AAA, which I marginally miss. So I think you should defo apply to W&C and give it a shot tbh.
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I've just been invited to AC with Paynes Hicks Beach. Does anyone have any insight they might be willing to share? I've been told the AC day includes a group exercise and short written exercises but there is otherwise quite limited information on what is involved in their assessments. Several written exercises sounds a bit daunting tbh!
Anyone have ideas on when we can expect an update from K&S for DTC
Completed the Mayer Brown SJT. It is not too bad at all - although i think my performance in the VIs was pretty average and likely not enough to get through. I got high verbal and numerical, 27/36 for the pillars. Not sure if that would be high enough to meet their benchmark. Any insight would be helpful!
Hi! Does anyone have any insight into the mayer brown test? Specifically:
- is there time bewteen the SJT and VI?
- Is there a watson glaser component?
- How much time do you have between each VI question?
Hi
- There is a break between the SJT and VI, it gives you a chance to pause before pressing continue with the VI.
- I’m not sure what you mean by Watson glaser, unless you mean the type of test? If so, it is not a Watson glaser test, it’s amberjack. The structure is a combination of multiple choice scenario questions to test verbal reasoning and also quite a few numerical questions intertwined. There are also questions which test your ability to evaluate the information correctly.
- there is no time between each VI question, the timer only starts when you press forward to continue. So you can pause and take a break whenever. For the first two questions, you have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes for the recording. The last two questions, you have unlimited prep time and again 2 mins for the recording.
Hope that helps! It was not too difficult/any out of the ordinary questions so you will be fine
thank you so much, I really appreciate your answerHi
- There is a break between the SJT and VI, it gives you a chance to pause before pressing continue with the VI.
- I’m not sure what you mean by Watson glaser, unless you mean the type of test? If so, it is not a Watson glaser test, it’s amberjack. The structure is a combination of multiple choice scenario questions to test verbal reasoning and also quite a few numerical questions intertwined. There are also questions which test your ability to evaluate the information correctly.
- there is no time between each VI question, the timer only starts when you press forward to continue. So you can pause and take a break whenever. For the first two questions, you have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes for the recording. The last two questions, you have unlimited prep time and again 2 mins for the recording.
Hope that helps! It was not too difficult/any out of the ordinary questions so you will be fine
Thank you that’s helpful! Do you know how long is is the LBA programme?
Also when do the apps for the next cohort start and when does the programme begin?
is this the DTC AC for Bristol or London?@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VS
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