• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Novaa

Valued Member
Dec 2, 2022
108
410
Honestly I think it's almost impossible to prep for curveballs, a firm could ask literally anything - but as long as you have a good baseline (which you do!) you'll be able to make something up on the spot.

Sidenote: I had a dream a partner asked me, 'if you were a type of food, which one would you be' and I said steak
My reasoning was 'if a client wants me to be tough, I'll be well-done, and if a client wants me to be tender, consider me bleu' 😭😭😭😭 okay girl xxx

steak piece of meat GIF
Usually I’ll prepare motivational and competency answers but sometimes firms like Hogan Lovells or Willkie will throw in commercial awareness so I prepared for those VI questions too.

I use flash cards to write down bullet points so in the TI/VI I can remember a basic structure, cos otherwise I’m just gna waffle lmao. I try not to use pre-written scripts cos that’s just effort.

I’m under the impression curveball questions are usually reserved for ACs or final stages tbh.

Scared Kermit The Frog GIF

Thank you both!! Let me make some notes 🤭

ALSO LOL? @Donna Paulsen this steak dream 🤣🤣🤣 Tbh I’m liking the answer and seeing the vision!
 

Donna Paulsen

Legendary Member
  • Sep 23, 2025
    158
    450
    Me looking into the camera, curtains closed, sat directly under the lightbulb with a box visible on top of my wardrobe in the background.

    Oh, and with my family hollering and hooting in the background 😍

    #StrikinglyReal

    Mia Goth Smile GIF by Madman Films
    Me trying to ignore my 310 decibel ring doorbell going off
    This Is Fine GIF
     

    flower1

    Esteemed Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 18, 2023
    83
    54
    Hi @flower1, I think you've covered the bulk of what could potentially be asked in a written exercise, unless the firm wants to throw in a little curveball and provide another format, but generally what it is assessing will be the same.

    We don't have any materials on the structure (from what I can gather at least) but I would say that it is probably wise not to focus too much on the structure, as opposed to the audience/technique in writing. Of course, structure helps, but remember this is more so to make this concise and easy to digest - so ask yourself, if you were the intended audience (in that position) how would you like the information to be presented to you e.g. if I was a client, I would want the overall answer (whether you call that an exec summary or not), then I'd want you to break down the main points, lastly ending on any next steps you may need from me. Understanding your audience will guide your structure.

    Everyone's structure will be a little different, so firms will not really have a set template as to how you should have broken down the information, just that you've attempted to do so efficiently.
    Thank you, that's really helpful - also, does the supervisor email need an executive summary? I'm confused with which of the things I've listed need one and which don't.

    Thank you
     
    Reactions: Afraz Akhtar

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.