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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hey, it is written in the description once you open the invite link. It was also confirmed by their grad rec in the Virtual Open Evening: they send out SJT/VI if you are eligible, based on your initial application form; then they send out the written application form if you have passed the SJT/VI; then they review your SJT/VI/written form together as whole when making decisions for AC invites.
Congratulations! This is an amazing achievement!!
If you are comfortable sharing, where did you receive the DTC offer for? I just like knowing where people end up!
(No worries if you want to keep private)
Hi there, I've just been offered my first TC! I now face the issue of I have to accept in the next week and I have two vac schemes coming up which I think I would prefer to this TC, and at the end of the offer letter it says that in signing I am confirming that I will withdraw from any other vac scheme processes or DTC processes. Could I ask for an extension and if so how should I go about this? Should I just accept and do the vac schemes or should I accept this one and reject the other vac schemes even if there is a chance I might get a TC from them which I might prefer? Any advice is so so welcome!!
Ah Stephenson Hardwood jump scare... why did they just email me with confirmation I'd done the test (and my atrocious score) again?! I had an email confirming it when I sat it last week
Thank you so much!!!Hi!
No problem at all - I'm glad you have found it helpful!
In all honesty, I think questions like this are much less common than it might seem like from what you read online (as people will only post about the questions that were bizarre, rather than those that were expected). Every so often you might get an interviewer who asks something a little unexpected, but in my experience they are rarely looking for a specific "right" answer. They are usually more interested in seeing how you think, how you communicate your ideas, and whether you can remain composed when discussing something you haven't prepared for in advance.
If you do get a rogue question about a pop culture reference, how you form opinions, or something slightly unusual, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to prepare for every possible scenario - I actually think it is impossible to do so! Instead, I'd try to focus on having a clear structure to your thinking when faced with these types of questions. For example, if someone asks how you form an opinion on a topic, you could talk through the information you would seek out, how you would evaluate different viewpoints, and how you would reach a balanced conclusion. The content of your answer is often less important than demonstrating a logical thought process.
I also think it is perfectly acceptable (and often a good idea!) to take a few seconds to think before answering. Most interviewers would much rather hear a considered and thought-out response than one that is rushed.
More generally, I would spend far more time preparing your motivations, commercial awareness, and competency examples rather than worrying about the possibility of a particularly unusual question. Those are the areas that are much more likely to come up and have a bigger impact on the overall assessment.
I hope that provides some reassurance, and for what it is worth, I was definitely someone who worried about every possible question that could be asked before interviews and schemes! However, I found that the things I spent the most time worrying about were almost never the things that actually came up
I doubt that. The deadline was only yesterday and they still have to review all the VIs!Kinda wondering if they meant to reject me
Baker DTC PFO
Hey!
I have previously made a few posts on case study interviews, which I have quoted below - hopefully they are useful in your preparation!
Generally speaking, case study interviews can vary quite a bit between firms (and the ones I have done in the past have all been different), but I'd focus less on trying to find the "right" answer and more on demonstrating your thought process. The partners are likely going to be looking at how you analyse information, identify the key issues, weigh up different options, and justify your conclusions.
I would recommend taking a structured approach - start by identifying the client's overall objectives, pick out the most important facts of the scenario, consider the commercial implications (i.e. risks and opportunities), and then explain the reasoning behind your recommendations. If you are unsure about something or would need further information, it is usually better to state any assumptions you make or further questions you would have, rather than rushing to a conclusion.
I think it is also worth approaching it as a discussion, rather than a formal presentation. Often with these exercises, the partners may challenge your reasoning or introduce new information, so being able to engage with their questions, remain flexible, and adapt your view where appropriate can be just as important as your initial answer.
Best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!
Hi!
Huge congratulations on receiving the AC invite for Reed Smith!!
Whilst I can't share any specifics, I'm happy to share some general tips for case studies, motivational interviews, and proof reading exercises! Across all of the exercises, I would say that structure and clarity are really key. The assessors are usually less focused on you having the "perfect" answer and more on how you approach the task, prioritise issues, and explain your reasoning as you go along.
For the case study, I would absolutely make good use of the preparation time. What helped me was to read through all of the documents first to get a sense of the overall scenario, and then go back over it to familiarise myself with the finer details. If there is anything that is unclear or confusing, I would try to work it out during the prep time so that, if it comes up in the interview discussion, you are able to explain your understanding confidently (or at least explain your thought process in working it out if you are still not 100% sure!). One piece of advice that my mentor gave me that I found really helpful was to become comfortable with what contracts actually look like in practice - i.e. understanding common clauses, what they mean, and the effect they can have (and whether they are favourable / less favourable to your client). I would also try not to overcomplicate it - this is something I really struggled with at first, but if the answer feels like it is relatively straightforward, I would go with your gut! If the interviewers / assessors require more information, they might be able to ask follow-up questions that you can then address.
For the motivational interview, I would make sure that you have researched the firm (which I'm sure you have!) and can clearly articulate why Reed Smith specifically. Think about how your experiences and interests align with the firm's distinctive features (e.g. its sector focus or initiatives like the Professional SQE Placement Year). For example, I linked my previous vacation scheme experience at a firm with shipping expertise to Reed Smith's expertise in the area, as I could explain how my interest in the area had developed and why Reed Smith's practice stood out to me (compared to the other firm). As with any interview, it also helps to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end - although if any questions naturally arise due to things discussed in the interview, I'd always encourage you to ask those! Importantly (and I know this is the most annoying advice ever), be yourself! They're assessing your fit to the firm as much as motivation and experience, so I'd try to be friendly and match the atmosphere in the room as this really does go a long way.
For the proofreading exercise, I would encourage you to work slowly and methodically. One practical tip that I found helpful was to use your finger to guide yourself through the text and make note of anything that stands out. While I didn't personally do a proofreading exercise at my Reed Smith AC, I have done similar ones elsewhere and always looked for things such as defined terms (and whether they're capitalised consistently), spelling / grammar, and whether dates and deadlines match throughout the document. These are things that you might not necessarily think to check in a proofreading exercise, but are always important in the legal context!
Above all - stay calm, be structured, and try to explain your thinking clearly wherever you can. It sounds silly to say, but I did really enjoy my Reed Smith AC and I felt that the partners and graduate recruitment team wanted me to do well, rather than trying to catch me out.
I'm sure that you will smash it, and best of luck!
Hello!
Congratulations on the AC invite!!
The main resource that I used when preparing for a case study interview was this guide by Jacob Miller - I would definitely take a look! There is also a guide to Private Equity that is useful for understanding how a PE transaction is structured -you can find that here.
I have also quoted some more general posts I have made in relation to approaching case study exercises, so hopefully they are helpful too.
Best of luck!!
Seems like it. I haven’t heard anything post SJT so idk what to think. Still assuming PFO though tbh.
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