TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

These VIs have yous looking at the camera like this to come across slightly more ‘personable’:​

Next year's halloween costume: me in a video interview

 

[Lawlawland]

I just completed the Mishcon de Reya test and got the impression that their scoring system was back to front.

I usually score highly for verbal reasoning but middling for maths (that is often my downfall with these tests).

But with Mishcon, I got top marks for maths and middling for verbal reasoning. The first time that has happened.

Anyone else notice that something was off?

I just completed the test, I realised they have the same scenario for verbal intelligence test like other Amberjacks (Simmons, Weil, Mayer Brown etc) but have tweaked the questions and answers to some extent... So it's possible to go in with the confirmation bias (I did!!!) and that might have to some extent impacted the verbal score, as we might not have flagged the minor tweaks.

I luckily flagged them, helped be get full scale on it !

So I would suggest anyone who's doing the Mishcon SJT to read the question fully before clicking the answer, as they've definitely tweaked it a little.

 

[c.t.tc]

Oh also anyone doing the MDR sjt reminder that it isn’t actually untimed! They factor time into the scores

 

[Lawlawland]

Oh also anyone doing the MDR sjt reminder that it isn’t actually untimed! They factor time into the scores

Me, who attended a wholeasss phone call from my family in between the test, about to crash out after scoring 30/36...

 

[abc124]

Oh also anyone doing the MDR sjt reminder that it isn’t actually untimed! They factor time into the scores

OMG really?? Do you mean Mishcon takes it into account or that it impacts your pillar scores??

 

[Sharkfin]

I hate to burst your bubble but I got the same for MB and didn’t progress (my VI answers were probably not very good). I think the MB test is just scored differently because I did absolutely nothing different compared to other Amberjacks

My bubble is burst (pause) - I got the same score and was so gassed

 

[johnsmith]

Does anyone know graduate recruitment's stance on saying 'PW' instead of 'Paul, Weiss'? I'm really trying to reach the word count....

P,W*

 

[c.t.tc]

OMG really?? Do you mean Mishcon takes it into account or that it impacts your pillar scores??

I just remember from the open day that grad rec said timing is taken into account! I’m not sure if that’s an amberjack or Mishcon thing though sorry!

 

[Bread]

I just remember from the open day that grad rec said timing is taken into account! I’m not sure if that’s an amberjack or Mishcon thing though sorry!

It better not be the chat interview omg I had to type the whole thing

 

[TheLegalEdit]

My strategy of changing my answers for Amberjack worked. 6,9,9,7 for Mayer Brown!

These tests are a joke, I won’t even say what I got for Weil…

Please could you share your strategy

 

[Lawlawland]

I just remember from the open day that grad rec said timing is taken into account! I’m not sure if that’s an amberjack or Mishcon thing though sorry!

I think it defeats the purpose of have a third party to run the test and produce a score if Mischon ia gonna look deep beyond the score provided by Amberjack.

And I took about 45 mns gap while the test screen was still on to attend an emergency call, and still scored 30 (my best score yet). So I think the time didn't impact my score.

 

[yk1906]

I feel like I’m the only person who didn’t apply to MDR

 

[BobThebIlly]

Is Weil’s SJT recorded or will my camera be in the whole time? If so, would it look bad if I scroll through my laptop for dim values and my cheat sheets for SJTs?

Also, I’ll likely have to use my phone so I’m worried I’m gonna be all up in the phone during it

 

[yk1906]

Is Weil’s SJT recorded or will my camera be in the whole time? If so, would it look bad if I scroll through my laptop for dim values and my cheat sheets for SJTs?

Also, I’ll likely have to use my phone so I’m worried I’m gonna be all up in the phone during it

The camera is on the whole time

 

[kukubird]

Just did Weil SJT got 6,7,7,6

EDIT:
For anyone looking for advice, make sure you read the questions bcuz they WILL try to cook you with the wording. And general amberjack advice I would also say answer how you think the firm would want you to answer based on their recruitment website never answer what you'd actually do, if the two match up then great!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

The camera is on the whole time

You can turn it off though there’s an option for it at the top of the screen. I think it’s there to verify that we’re acc taking the test ourselves.​

 

[kukubird]

I also have dyspraxia, haven't touched math outside of GCSE and scored highly on numerical and verbal equally so hopefully that takes away any stress for the mathematical portion.

 

[Lawlawland]

I also have dyspraxia, haven't touched math outside of GCSE and scored highly on numerical and verbal equally so hopefully that takes away any stress for the mathematical portion.

I second this.
It's been 9 years since I last touched maths, and scored high on all the amberjack numericals I did.

Only thing to focus on is choosing the right data from the heavily loaded numericals... If that's done with care, you have the answer!

 

[c.t.tc]

I think it defeats the purpose of have a third party to run the test and produce a score if Mischon ia gonna look deep beyond the score provided by Amberjack.

And I took about 45 mns gap while the test screen was still on to attend an emergency call, and still scored 30 (my best score yet). So I think the time didn't impact my score.

Fair enough! Was just what they said at the Open Day but MDR hasn't exactly made a huge amount of sense so far this cycle tbf

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I’m thinking of applying to Travers Smith and would really appreciate any insight into their application process. Even better if you completed their vac scheme in the most recent app cycle, so I know what to expect if I’m progressed. Thank you!

Hi!

I completed a vacation scheme at Travers Smith last cycle, although I don't have too much insight into the application process (as I received my VS through BIUCAC). However, if you are interested in learning more about how you are assessed on the vacation scheme, or what the structure of the scheme looked like, more than happy to share some insights - just shout!