TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Maddy]

Does Ashurst test have numerical questions or is it just SJT+ critical reasoning?

 

[lawschool123]

I did Mayer Brown's practice assessment and it said this before practising the VI: “Before you continue, please be aware that there’s no time limit on how long you spend thinking about your response before starting your recording; but, once you do start your recording, you’ll have up to 2 minutes to give your response.” Does that mean the actual VI itself has unlimited prep time? There's no information available on doing the entire immersive assessment under a time limit. At the same time, their email says: "Please note, the only section of the assessment that extra time can be applied to is the preparation time for two of our video interview questions (which are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time)."

 

[lawyersum]

Any tips for the Latham test? Am happy to share my insights for other firms

 

[ZNadeem]

I did Mayer Brown's practice assessment and it said this before practising the VI: “Before you continue, please be aware that there’s no time limit on how long you spend thinking about your response before starting your recording; but, once you do start your recording, you’ll have up to 2 minutes to give your response.” Does that mean the actual VI itself has unlimited prep time? There's no information available on doing the entire immersive assessment under a time limit. At the same time, their email says: "Please note, the only section of the assessment that extra time can be applied to is the preparation time for two of our video interview questions (which are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time)."

Hi! It does seem like the prep time is unlimited, but I can see why the wording is confusing. To be safe, I’d recommend dropping the graduate recruitment team a quick email to clarify.

 

[M_m]

I’m having technical issues progressing with the NRF form. Does anyone know what the application questions are if it’s a cover letter?

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m having technical issues progressing with the NRF form. Does anyone know what the application questions are if it’s a cover letter?

Yes it’s a cover letter

 

[svb risk management intern]

Can I safely assume that if I use the same thing from my work experience ('WE') in my application, I dont need to put the same amount of experience or explanation on what i did.

For example, I am writing about how i worked on a report for my supervisor which was vague. Now, I am realising that I have repeated some of the things heavily when explaining the thing in both my WE and app, which makes ≈100 words a bit of a loss.

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Can I safely assume that if I use the same thing from my work experience ('WE') in my application, I dont need to put the same amount of experience or explanation on what i did.

For example, I am writing about how i worked on a report for my supervisor which was vague. Now, I am realising that I have repeated some of the things heavily when explaining the thing in both my WE and app, which makes ≈100 words a bit of a loss.

Hi @svb risk management intern,

Great question. I would not necessarily treat it as a loss of words, since you should be emphasising different things when talking about an action in the work experience section and in an application answer.

In the work experience section, you are mainly describing the things you did in a lot of detail. To take the supervisor report you mentioned in your post, you would discuss what the report was about, what steps you took to complete it successfully, and the skills you gained as a result.

As for the written answer part of an application, you'd use the same report in the context of explaining why you are interested in a specific aspect of the firm or commercial law.

So, don't worry about repeating things too much in this particular context - as long as the purpose for which you invoked the experience was different and you described it from different angles, it should not be an issue.

 

[Heartofglass]

Guys, did Macfarlanes actually read through the 300 word application answers or did they just send out OAs based on the results of the previous OA?

I think it's the latter because I did the first OA on Wednesday and, jumpscare, I got the second OA on Thursday.

 

[fbtrainee]

Hi! Has freahfields removed their winter vacation scheme for this year?

Yes they have, now they only have the summer vac scheme and DTCs

 

[dreamer]

Hi which is the second stage? What does that entail?

From what I've seen/read so far, it's a job simulation exercise with some video recording of your response.

 

[dreamer]

the second stage is a judgment style scenario type test, theres also some video questions u have to answer. has anyone heard back after completing the second stage?

poking my nose here

 

[CharlesT47]

I think it's the latter because I did the first OA on Wednesday and, jumpscare, I got the second OA on Thursday.

Yeah that must be it. I applied on Aug 20th but am yet to receive the second stage. Don't understand why they're waiting to reject me if they aren't even going to read my application