TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

Hey! I’ve heard it’s possible for vac schemes to be deferred but an ACs usually wouldn’t be right? I have an important uni deadline which counts towards me degree next week so ideally the ACs could take place after then but I understand they’d have quite limited space available, if at all… and yes i am aware this is a nice problem to have but i’m a finalist and my uni grades soooooo harshly and the workload + expectations are really high 😭

Heyy, I’d reach out to early careers and explain the situation. They should be understanding I hope, obviously we’re not sure if they have ACs running the week after. But, they hopefully have alternatives which could work like a virtual AC?

 

[floral.tcla]

Heyy, I’d reach out to early careers and explain the situation. They should be understanding I hope, obviously we’re not sure if they have ACs running the week after. But, they hopefully have alternatives which could work like a virtual AC?

Heyy thank you for replying 🥹ahh i already confirmed (and my greedy ahh sent a reimbursement form for travel costs inc the date and time) but I’ll message them later today, thanks I had no idea that you could ask early careers. Ooo i had no idea that was a thing !😄

 

[solicitor_2028]

For those people who completed the OC test, how long was each test?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

For those people who completed the OC test, how long was each test?

exact same format and timing as the practice test. HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest you take the practice tests. Verbal reasoning was 18 or 19 minutes for 30 questions and deductive reasoning was 18 minutes for 12 questions. Long story short, you have to be quick as the time is not enough for a well thought out answer.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

exact same format and timing as the practice test. HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest you take the practice tests. Verbal reasoning was 18 or 19 minutes for 30 questions and deductive reasoning was 18 minutes for 12 questions. Long story short, you have to be quick as the time is not enough for a well thought out answer.

I practiced once for each test and wish I did more. Highly suggest to practice practice practice too. That deductive reasoning test killed me off omfg. Was torturous and inhumane.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

I practiced once for each test and wish I did more. Highly suggest to practice practice practice too. That deductive reasoning test killed me off omfg. Was torturous and inhumane.

Hope you did well enough to progress but that was the worst test I've done this cycle, and I've done amberjack 😂 😂 😂

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Hope you did well enough to progress but that was the worst test I've done this cycle, and I've done amberjack 😂 😂 😂

I had to guess the answers to the last two questions because I completely ran out of time😭😭 the format is HORRID.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

I had to guess the answers to the last two questions because I completely ran out of time😭😭 the format is HORRID.

same, my last two were definitely wrong but I read in practice test that you can get negative marking for not finishing test so I submitted unfinished answers😂

 

[Prudentia]

@Wanda Maximoff Hey, I've noticed a few queries asking about timing in an interview and I'm a little conflicted. Although I think it's wise to think about time and I'm sure others may think its helpful, but I don't think it's a healthy consideration.

The reason being, thinking about timings for your responses in a natural conversational setting inadvertently places pressure on an already stressful situation where you need to make sure your mind is clear. I fear, placing imaginary timers/countdowns are only going to distract you from that clarity and potentially affect the quality of your responses.

Instead, consider how much depth is needed and that should guide the timing of your response. For competency questions, that depth is essentially the STAR method - so the ability to make your point, highlight a task where you displayed that, explain what it is that you did to achieve that, and end off with your key takeaway. Whether this takes you two minutes, or 5 minutes, as long as you provided your answer in a format that is concise, avoids waffling, and gets straight to the point - you've achieved what you were supposed to.

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but it's what works well for me 🤷‍♂️

@Wanda Maximoff To add to this great answer, the bulk of your response should be about the A - action. A mistake many candidates is focusing too much on the S T and R when the A is where you gain the marks. Interviewers aren’t really assessing the example - they’re often assessing your approach and how you think. So when you’re responding, make sure you’re going into detail about what you did. Really tease it out. Bonus points if you can explain why you did it as demonstrates the fact you’re able to reflect.

 

[meredithgrey]

Any tips for Taylor Wessing written exercise?!

 

[user397485]

can anyone share baker AC insights - i will send VI for various firms!

 

[AngelB]

Morning!!! I have a DLA AC today - can anyone who has heard back let me know how long you waited between AC and offer/rejection???

 

[nbjani]

Morning!!! I have a DLA AC today - can anyone who has heard back let me know how long you waited between AC and offer/rejection???

Hey! I heard back the next day via phone call from the partner, and then it took grad rec a couple of days to follow up. Btw it was my first AC and was such a positive experience- everyone was obviously there to get the best out of us.

 

[Prudentia]

Morning!!! I have a DLA AC today - can anyone who has heard back let me know how long you waited between AC and offer/rejection???

Good luck!!!

 

[flamingocelot]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from Fieldfisher? I’ve convinced myself I’ve been PFO’ed considering how many people have heard back

 

[startupgeek]

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING AN AC THIS WEEK! AND TO THE REST OF US A POSITIVE OUTCOME FROM OUR INBOXES < 333333333

 

[jojo23]

TIL: everyone had a slightly different osborne clarke test😵‍💫

 

[Prudentia]

TIL: everyone had a slightly different osborne clarke test😵‍💫

That's smart on their part, tbf.

 

[baj5]

Anything from Perkins?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Is anyone happy to provide Forsters VI insights? Happy to provide insights into other firms such as W&C!