TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[PFO Final Boss]

the mishcon de reya sjt was acc weird idk why, my pillars were high but then my verbal intellect is the mid one. never gotten that before

What do yall think the good score for Mishcon SJT would be, based off the people’s experiences?

 

[Fauxfilm_]

I am actually so done with Amberjack, felt so confident about my MDR test only to get 6,3,3,7 on the pillars. I always get high verbal and numerical intellect in all of these but why is it impossible for me to get these pillars right

I’m sure you’ll get through! I plan on doing mine tonight but have done no practice tests..

Was the numerical section timed or assessed based on time taken to complete?

 

[Fauxfilm_]

What do yall think the good score for Mishcon SJT would be, based off the people’s experiences?

Seems like anything above 26 would be pretty good but hard to tell until people start getting AC invites!

 

[radssss]

What do yall think the good score for Mishcon SJT would be, based off the people’s experiences?

I saw someone who progressed with a 21/36 and got an ac.

I’m assuming 21 is a safe score and meets the benchmark.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock I hope you’re well! I was wondering if you have any tips for presentations (no slides, just speaking). The one I have to do involves a business case and how the firm can add value. If you have any tips on structure, key discussion points to mention or anything else, that would be amazing!! Thank you

Hello!

I'm well, thank you - I hope you are too!

For a presentation that doesn't involve slides, I would say that the main thing is to have a clear and logical structure that makes it easy for the listener to follow your thinking. It might help to treat it like talking a client through your reasoning rather than "presenting".

I'd perhaps structure it as: a brief introduction that sets out the business context and why it matters, then move on to discuss the key issue or opportunity that the client. Then, you can explain what the firm should do and why, making this as specific to the firm that you are at as possible (e.g. discussing their practice areas or expertise in certain areas). You can then focus on how this adds value for the client (e.g. commercially, strategically, long-term, etc.), and finish with a short conclusion that ties all of your advice together.

In terms of content, I would say it is helpful to:

• Show commercial awareness (e.g. highlight the client's objectives, the main risks that they'll face, the possible costs, and the most efficient way of handling any challenges)
• Link your solution to the firm's strengths and their position in the market
• Think beyond pure legal advice (e.g. relationship management or practical steps).

For delivery of the presentation, it always helped me to clearly signpost my points and use a calm and steady pace - I had a tendency to rush my presentations due to fear of public speaking, so trying to pace yourself can really help! The graduate recruitment team will be assessing how you structure your thinking and communicate as much as the answer itself, so I would focus on those aspects as well.

I hope that helps, and best of luck!

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

I saw someone who progressed with a 21/36 and got a ac.

I’m assuming 21 is a safe score and meets the benchmark.

I got a score of 24. My pillars were 7,4,6,7 and I applied for spring but have yet to hear back post amberjack.

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

I’m sure you’ll get through! I plan on doing mine tonight but have done no practice tests..

Was the numerical section timed or assessed based on time taken to complete?

All it said was that it checks the time taken for your responses purely for fairness checks (seeing if you have any outlier answers and such).

 

[lelezb1]

Can I use my last cycle's answer (verbatim) for the same question this year? It is about my interests outside of work/education/law. I made it to the next stage previously.
Any insights on this would be helpful. @Abbie Whitlock

 

[TCGrad1642]

I got a score of 24. My pillars were 7,4,6,7 and I applied for spring but have yet to hear back post amberjack.

My score was 23 and I am also yet to hear back. Interesting. Let’s keep hoping!

 

[qwerty!]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock , I was wondering if you had any advice on answering situational questions in interviews (e.g. "Imagine xyz happened, how would you react"). Is there a structure I could follow or any tips to keep in mind? Thanks so much

 

[lucyindia]

hi, does anyone know if Wiggin is rolling or not? thanks

 

[TCGrad1642]

Can I use my last cycle's answer (verbatim) for the same question this year? It is about my interests outside of work/education/law. I made it to the next stage previously.
Any insights on this would be helpful. @Abbie Whitlock

I have done so for a few firms this year and have been progressed to the next stages so I would say it is okay.

 

[radssss]

I got a score of 24. My pillars were 7,4,6,7 and I applied for spring but have yet to hear back post amberjack.

Hopefully you’ll hear back soon and progress!

I think sjt is only a part of it, there’s chat based interview and grades and stuff too so I think they look at apps holistically!

 

[silonthesofa]

hi, does anyone know if Wiggin is rolling or not? thanks

non-rolling.

 

[lucyindia]

non-rolling.

thank you!! I get really confused on whether firms are rolling or not. I thought Harbottle and Lewis was non rolling but I've seen someone on here get invited to an interview.

 

[radssss]

Why is capsticks viewing my LinkedIn
I didn’t even apply to them because they can’t sponsor…

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

My score was 23 and I am also yet to hear back. Interesting. Let’s keep hoping!

Got my fingers crossed for us!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

general question, but how would someone structure tell us about yourself for a VI or AC

Hey!

Great question - this is definitely an interview question that used to throw me off, as it can feel very open ended!

I would say that a good way to structure this is to keep it concise, professional and forward-looking, rather than trying to cram your full life story into a few minutes. A structure that I used to follow is:

• Present: what you are currently doing (e.g. degree, role, or stage you are at) - for example, "I am current a final year Law student studying at X university..."
• Past: one or two experiences that are relevant and show key skills or interests - for example, "I completed a placement year in my third year that reaffirmed my interest in X area of law, and I am now..."
• Future: what you are looking to do next and why this firm fits - for example, "I am particularly interested in X type of law, and therefore I have applied to X firm as it aligns with..."

You could think of it as a 60-90 second overview that answers: who are you academically and professionally, what has shaped your interests and motivations, and what are your future goals. I would also try to link it subtly to skills that the firm you are applying to values (e.g. teamwork, collaboration, entrepreneurialism) and end your answer on a point that leads into "why law" or "why this firm".

Overall, you can use this question as a way of giving the interviewer a snapshot into your legal journey so far

 

[hanz123]

Hey!

Great question - this is definitely an interview question that used to throw me off, as it can feel very open ended!

I would say that a good way to structure this is to keep it concise, professional and forward-looking, rather than trying to cram your full life story into a few minutes. A structure that I used to follow is:

• Present: what you are currently doing (e.g. degree, role, or stage you are at) - for example, "I am current a final year Law student studying at X university..."
• Past: one or two experiences that are relevant and show key skills or interests - for example, "I completed a placement year in my third year that reaffirmed my interest in X area of law, and I am now..."
• Future: what you are looking to do next and why this firm fits - for example, "I am particularly interested in X type of law, and therefore I have applied to X firm as it aligns with..."

You could think of it as a 60-90 second overview that answers: who are you academically and professionally, what has shaped your interests and motivations, and what are your future goals. I would also try to link it subtly to skills that the firm you are applying to values (e.g. teamwork, collaboration, entrepreneurialism) and end your answer on a point that leads into "why law" or "why this firm".

Overall, you can use this question as a way of giving the interviewer a snapshot into your legal journey so far

Thank you so much