TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[tosin4774]

Does anyone have last year's Linklaters or Paul Weiss VS questions?

Hi @berocca567, I don’t think revisiting last year’s application will be very helpful for preparing this year’s vacation scheme application, as I’ve just received an email from graduate recruitment confirming that the application questions will be slightly different this year.

 

[berocca567]

Hi @berocca567, I don’t think revisiting last year’s application will be very helpful for preparing this year’s vacation scheme application, as I’ve just received an email from graduate recruitment confirming that the application questions will be slightly different this year.

Oh no! Thanks so much for letting me know

 

[emily3827]

any firm recs for recent grad - oxbridge low/mid 2:1 with vac scheme exp?

 

[tosin4774]

Oh no! Thanks so much for letting me know

No problem

 

[emily3827]

anyone have any advice on how to talk about past vac schemes on apps in the work experience section, what to include, etc.

 

[Sharan]

Hi guys!
Just quickly asking something here… does anyone know what the questions are for the VS applications for penultimate VS for these firms:

1. linklaters
2. slaughter and may
3. ashurst
4. Herbert smiths Freehills kramer
5. Norton rose fulbright

i heard slaughter is cv, and Linklaters don’t ask long qs, but id love to hear if anyone knows anythin regarding this!

 

[Sachin Chandra]

Hi all - what do you think is the best website to practice Watson Glaser tests?

I am using AssessmentDay, but I am worried it is not the best one. And does anyone know what the benchmark generally is to pass the Watson Glaser? I know this would vary between firms, but you might have an approximate score that should get you through to next round?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

if you are willing to pay, I've heard that Jobtestprep is the best one (I've never paid for it).

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

any firm recs for recent grad - oxbridge low/mid 2:1 with vac scheme exp?

Offers from all firms will be completely possible with these credentials, perhaps a little more difficult from Slaughter and May and Jones Day due to an emphasis on grades, though you definitely should not cross them out of your list purely for this reason.

The one suggestion I'd make is definitely applying to firms with a high Direct TC intake, for example Macfarlanes, Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Stephenson Harwood and Freshfields. As a grad with vac scheme experience, I'd assume you have enough under your belt to go directly for a TC. That removes the need to do a 2+ week vac scheme. Still apply for vac schemes at firms where this may be more advantageous though! Good luck

 

[Sachin Chandra]

if you are willing to pay, I've heard that Jobtestprep is the best one (I've never paid for it).

Thanks for sharing

 

[Jaysen]

Hi guys!
Just quickly asking something here… does anyone know what the questions are for the VS applications for penultimate VS for these firms:

1. linklaters
2. slaughter and may
3. ashurst
4. Herbert smiths Freehills kramer
5. Norton rose fulbright

i heard slaughter is cv, and Linklaters don’t ask long qs, but id love to hear if anyone knows anythin regarding this!

These should be on our directory, if you navigate to the applying tab for each firm

I would just keep in mind that some questions will change this year. Macfarlanes already has!

 

[Jaysen]

Hi all - what do you think is the best website to practice Watson Glaser tests?

I am using AssessmentDay, but I am worried it is not the best one. And does anyone know what the benchmark generally is to pass the Watson Glaser? I know this would vary between firms, but you might have an approximate score that should get you through to next round?

We'll be launching our own this Friday that I hope will help (just testing it at the moment).



We'll have 500 questions for you to practise (100 per type!). Each one has a written explanation so you can understand why the answer was correct/incorrect.

 

[SamiyaJ]

We'll be launching our own this Friday that I hope will help (just testing it at the moment).

View attachment 7255

We'll have 500 questions for you to practise (100 per type!). Each one has a written explanation so you can understand why the answer was correct/incorrect.

I can’t wait for this!! I feel like it’s my only hope right now lmao.

Had a very successful AC recently but the only reason I didn’t progress is because of the WG

 

[Jaysen]

I can’t wait for this!! I feel like it’s my only hope right now lmao.

Had a very successful AC recently but the only reason I didn’t progress is because of the WG

I really hope it helps. Would be great to get your feedback

 

[WeGotThis!]

We'll be launching our own this Friday that I hope will help (just testing it at the moment).

View attachment 7255

We'll have 500 questions for you to practise (100 per type!). Each one has a written explanation so you can understand why the answer was correct/incorrect.

Does this also have a primer regarding the rules?

 

[dannyp123]

Hi everyone, does anyone know whether the A&O Shearman numerical reasoning test is a full numerical reasoning assessment, or just a short set of questions? I saw someone mention the latter on here before, but wasn’t sure if that’s accurate. Thanks!

 

[Jaysen]

Does this also have a primer regarding the rules?

Yes

 

[jojo23]

You're too funny dude, also the one piece pfp offhandedly looks like the alpha wolf meme, I was wallowing over a rejection but your messages on this forum got me out of it.

What can I say? Gear 5 is peak, I'm peak
Glad I can help you in some fashion

I can understand how stressful and emotionally draining this process is so, if you ever want to talk about it drop me a message (same goes to everyone else) idk how useful I'll be, but i will listen

As each day passes i fear the likelihood of me succeeding becomes slimmer but if I can help someone else that'd be great!

 

[Sharan]

Hey guys! I know this is a very silly question, but how on earth do i go about in answering this question ‘why do you want to be a lawyer?’. like, do I mention the aspect of being a commercial lawyer, at the city? If it means why i want to be a lawyer more broadly, i am a bit lost, howwww do i answer this

 

[Jaysen]

Hey guys! I know this is a very silly question, but how on earth do i go about in answering this question ‘why do you want to be a lawyer?’. like, do I mention the aspect of being a commercial lawyer, at the city? If it means why i want to be a lawyer more broadly, i am a bit lost, howwww do i answer this

Is the firm you are applying to a commercial law firm? If so, I'd assume the question is basically asking why you want to be a commercial lawyer.

We sometimes see this phrasing from firms that are a bit less 'commercial' in nature, so it provides you with scope to be broader with your reasoning.