TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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?

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

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...

haha I agree. I had one on call as well and the whole day was just ruined. get it over and done with in the morning if you can.

on another note...this reminded me of the time where I swear I booked a morning AC slot and arrived at the office in time, but then was told I actually booked the evening slot...so amidst humiliation I had to wander around London for a few hours (after waking up early and travelling for a few hours on the train!) before going back to the firm haha (always double check fellas...)

 

[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.

 

[alexandramonica]

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).

 

[alexandramonica]

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

 

[shays]

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

6-4-3-9, very wild, but i have always struggled with applied intellect part of the test, and then mid for numerical and verbal

 

[TheLawStopsHere]

RS said that the app questions will be considered alongside our test and video interview answers, so I think it will all be reviewed together. Not sure if there’s a threshold to get the app questions, but might be wrong!

 

[shays]

RS said that the app questions will be considered alongside our test and video interview answers, so I think it will all be reviewed together. Not sure if there’s a threshold to get the app questions, but might be wrong!

i think logically there has to be since what would be the point to not include the written answers in the first place if you are sending out amberjack and then the questions to everyone who has done the amberjack? with that said i find it hard to believe my test went well enough to pass the benchmark.

maybe someone else knows how it actually works for them? @Abbie Whitlock do you know or someone else from the TCLA?