TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[whywhy88]

When did you do the first stage? I did mine last friday

I did it last Sunday

 

[bh.sa]

No reflection report?

Yes, I got it 2 days after the second assesment!

The first stage was SHL, they might using the same provider though. SHL has critical thinking test too and it's way more challenging than WG.

How is SHL different from WG?

 

[student101!]

Has anyone heard back from Cleary about WVS yet?

Have you received an invite for / completed the WGT yet? or are you still waiting to hear back from the written application? I haven't heard anything back since the written application.

 

[johnsmith]

How is SHL different from WG?

Go on their site and try their practice tests and you can see! One part is standard critical thinking but the 2nd part is a real thinker under time pressure!

 

[Amgrad]

Oh gosh, I hate the SHL assessments, so tough and timed too

Yeah, I did it before my graduation at non law firm. It was definitely the toughest test I've ever had

How is SHL different from WG?

SHL is a provider just like Amberjack, Cappfinity, Arctic Shores, Plum, Sova, and Pymetrics. Whilst WG is a critical thinking test named after psychologist who found it.

 

[JBM]

Has anyone heard back about A&O WVS yet post AC? We were supposed to be told the outcome this week so probably a PFO now I imagine?

will be tomorrow afternoon

 

[Shannon]

Just completed the 2nd Milbank test, can confirm it's a WG!

 

[Kittyb444]

if you're still waiting to hear back from AOS post-AC, what does it say on your application portal? still at interview or..?

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

 

[I_hate_pickingusernames]

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

Haven't seen anyone who's heard back. Reply above says tomorrow afternoon which makes sense considering that's what they did with invites I suppose.

 

[watson_glazer]

will be tomorrow afternoon

Is this confirmed, or a guess?

 

[lawninja00!]

Cananyone give any insight into the Freshfields Stage 1 test?

 

[firmfirm]

is dla piper's WG automatic?

 

[JBM]

last year was on the friday. calls for offers emails for rejections

 

[milawalton]

Hey, does the Freshfields Direct TC test for stage 1 have a virtual interview?

 

[floral.tcla]

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

Same and not yet

 

[Bbhu19]

Milbank stage 2 invitation! Seems selective given the email says ‘your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process’. Thought I did awfully at the first test so am quite surprised 😂

What was the first stage btw? A Watson glasser?

 

[SS21]

Hi, I attended a DLA Piper talk and grad rec mentioned that for the CV there's no need to include an education section because the online form will ask for grades anyway. She also mentioned having a brief introduction (but I might have misheard this). Is it alright to still stick to the standard format for CVs (i.e. with an education section and without including an introduction)?

I did a standard CV, including module breakdown because the form didn't ask for that info so I assumed we had to include it in the CV.
I've never heard of a legal CV needing an introduction section tbh...

 

[firmfirm]

I did a standard CV, including module breakdown because the form didn't ask for that info so I assumed we had to include it in the CV.
I've never heard of a legal CV needing an introduction section tbh...

That's also what I did and I was able to progress to the next stage. I think a standard CV is fine tbh!

 

[arbitrationfan]

HSF WVS PFO

 

[johnsmith]

So I was a guinea pig… made to suffer?! I better get brownie points aka SJT invite for doing it yesterday and providing honest feedback 😂

I think the experience will be the same for all but I’m sure they’ll know you were in the 1st batch so if you faced any issues I’m sure they’ll take that in to consideration!