TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[User22022002]

Congratulations on the interview invite! When did you apply?

Thanks! i applied the day before the deadline and got the call yesterday or the day before. Good luck!

 

[theduckytie]

Fed up with SJTs now. My scores vary so wildly from firm to firm. Just done SH and it was my worst one yet but one of my favourite firms

Same :/

 

[theduckytie]

I hate Amberjack... Somehow scored 'Low' on the verbal reasoning test for Stephenson Harwood. I scored high in that category in every prior amberjack and do not know what went wrong this time. Rest of the scores: 6/6/6/9 and mid for numerical. VI went well. How cooked am I? Shame, I really liked SH.

Similar position here. I got low numerical reasoning for the first time ever.. I've only ever gotten high before. Not sure what went so wrong.

 

[Bree]

Hello, has anyone done the assessments for Travers Smith's DTC or VS before? I am a bit confused so if anyone who has done it and has been successful, please let me know!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I just finished a vac scheme at a firm and was told I will find out if I got it in July. However, I have a TC offer that expires next week at another firm. The vac scheme firm is my first choice, is it appropriate to email and say I have another offer and if possible can I please know ASAP?

Hey!

Congratulations on completing the vacation scheme, and for your existing TC offer!

Yes, I think that is perfectly appropriate and quite common in this situation - I had a similar situation last cycle when I was still waiting back post-VS for one firm, and had a TC offer from another.

I would email the graduate recruitment team and explain that you have recently completed the vacation scheme at the firm, which is your preferred choice, but you have another training contract offer that expires next week. You can then politely ask whether they are able to provide any update on the timing of their decision making process.

I would avoid framing it as a demand for an immediate decision, as they may still need time to complete their assessments. However, making them aware of your deadline gives them the opportunity to see whether they can expedite your application or provide some other further guidance.

I think it is important to bear in mind that they may not be able to accelerate the process, particularly if they are still making their way through the assessment process. However, I don't think there is any downside in asking politely and professionally, and at least you'll know either way. Graduate recruitment teams are used to candidates managing competing offers and deadlines, so I'm sure they've been asked similar questions before!

Wishing you the best of luck - I hope it works out for you!

 

[trainee4u]

Does anyone know whether the Joelson video response is automatic?

 

[neverdidiever]

What is the prep time given for WFW VI? and how long are the answers supposed to be for?

 

[cs3008]

They phoned me to set an interview for next week

When did you submit your app and is this for the DTC?

 

[User22022002]

When did you submit your app and is this for the DTC?

day before deadline, and yes, I don't think they have VS apps running rn.

 

[cs3008]

day before deadline, and yes, I don't think they have VS apps running rn.

Oh okay, I applied on 12/05 - haven’t received anything yet. Probably in the pile of PFO. Nonetheless, congrats to you and good luck for the AC! Get that TC!!!!

 

[TCapplicant1005]

Oh okay, I applied on 12/05 - haven’t received anything yet. Probably in the pile of PFO. Nonetheless, congrats to you and good luck for the AC! Get that TC!!!!

I applied the day before deadline too. Haven’t heard anything.

 

[User22022002]

Oh okay, I applied on 12/05 - haven’t received anything yet. Probably in the pile of PFO. Nonetheless, congrats to you and good luck for the AC! Get that TC!!!!

Thank you! Don't give up hope as it really hasn't been that long. The variety in time different firms take in responding makes it easy to think you have been rejected. I remember applying to McDermott in October, and I got the next stage in feb!

 

[cs3008]

Thank you! Don't give up hope as it really hasn't been that long. The variety in time different firms take in responding makes it easy to think you have been rejected. I remember applying to McDermott in October, and I got the next stage in feb!

Thank you so much for your kind words.

 

[DesperateStudent]

Is there anyone still waiting on Bakers post SJT? I saw they sent a new batch of VIs this week and a wave of PFOs (post SJT), but still nothing for me…​

Hi
When did they send another batch of VI? I haven’t seen any posts.

 

[givemeaTCalreadyT^T]

Hi, I’ve an upcoming AC on Tuesday with a partner interview based on a case study. I find myself to be fumbling quite a bit with it in mocks, and am unsure of how to approach technical and commercial questions on the spot and sometimes I end up using terms I can’t fully explain. How should I approach technical questions in partner case studies? If anyone has any advice, now is the time @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Hi all! If I failed to meet BCLP's benchmark for the test, would the email mention that I have failed to meet the benchmark or that my overall application was unsuccessful?

 

[Filia]

Does Dorsey respond on a rolling basis?

 

[LH4]

Hi!

I have a question about video interviews. If you get a similar question to something that was in the application, is it okay to use the same example or should you come up with something else?

For example, if you were asked about a time you received constructive criticism. I have a strong example from something that occurred during my placement year, and this was the first time I've ever really received valuable constructive criticism. I spoke about this in my application so I'm not sure if it would be okay to repeat as an example, but it's the only example I really have.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated!

@Abbie Whitlock

 

[nicoledm]

Has anyone done the final king and spalding interview?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, I’ve an upcoming AC on Tuesday with a partner interview based on a case study. I find myself to be fumbling quite a bit with it in mocks, and am unsure of how to approach technical and commercial questions on the spot and sometimes I end up using terms I can’t fully explain. How should I approach technical questions in partner case studies? If anyone has any advice, now is the time @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite! I completely get this feeling, and I always used to find case study interviews quite challenging as I wasn't sure on the level of technical knowledge required.

One thing that helped me was remembering that they are usually more interested in how you think rather than whether you know every technical concept. If you are asked a technical or commercial question, I would focus on working through your reasoning out loud rather than rushing to give the "perfect" answer.

I would also avoid using terminology unless you are comfortable explaining it further. In my previous interview/AC experiences, if you mention a concept, there is always a chance that the interviewer will ask you to expand on it to confirm that you know what it means. It is often much better to explain something clearly in plain English than to rely on technical language that you are not fully confident with. That said, if you know the topic in advance of the AC, it is definitely helpful to research the key concepts and terminology online so that you aren't caught off guard in the AC.

For commercial questions specifically, I found it helpful to keep bringing myself back to the key stakeholders involved, the commercial objectives that they are trying to achieve, and the risks that they might face in the process. Even if you are not familiar with the specific industry, I've found that that framework can usually help you structure an answer that still analyses the situation in a commercial way.

Finally, don't be afraid to take a moment to think before answering. It is completely normal to pause, organise your thoughts, and then talk through your analysis step-by-step. This will come across much stronger than if you were to jump straight into an answer that is slightly all over the place (which I have done many times before!).

Wishing you the best of luck for Tuesday - just remember that you have made it to the AC stage for a reason, and you are more than capable of converting this into an offer!