TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BobThebIlly]

Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.

 

[Dannie]

Has anyone done the CC WG... how hard is it?

 

[Lawlawland]

Also,please is the 1st stage online assessment automatic ?

It is!

 

[qaz99]

Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.

Far too early to tell. I think I received my stage 2 about 2 weeks after completing stage 1.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

They definitely have a right answer as your final calculation should hopefully match one of the answer options. I would’ve said time is a factor, but I spend quite long sometimes making sure I get the correct answer and I’ve personally never scored below high numerical. Verbal is slightly trickier as you can’t objectively confirm whether you are correct or not, but I think if you get a single question wrong, you can’t get high numerical/verbal (not entirely sure on this tho).

 

[avocadob]

Should we assume pfo for CMS if we didn't receive an invite yesterday for VI..?

 

[elizabethkate]

Does anyone know how firms tend to deal with requests to unsubmit an application

i went to firm open day after submitting and asked the hiring team what i can do and they said i could re submit with another email and they’d scrap the other one so there’s options and i still got through to AC so it’s not always bad as long as u talk to them and explain why your unsubmitting and trying again

 

[LaDiva]

Withers have confirmed the other day that they review applications on a rolling basis, yet 4 weeks post-app and still no response. Should I email them or is that frowned upon? I'm starting to think my application got lost in their system!!

 

[Bread]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

Ofc they have right answers they are math problems
If your calculations don’t match the options, try to make sure you are reading the question and interpreting the data correctly

 

[Legallywhatever]

Hi everyone,

For the first time, graduate recruitment at Osborne Clarke is live in the forum to answer your questions. You can ask them anything here.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Jaysen

I know i've asked too many times now lol but has this been prerecorded and it is anywhere that we can watch it?

Edit: Nvm found it now!

 

[maylawwww]

Withers have confirmed the other day that they review applications on a rolling basis, yet 4 weeks post-app and still no response. Should I email them or is that frowned upon? I'm starting to think my application got lost in their system!!

Withers says on their website: "Applications close mid-January. We start to review applications approximately one month prior to the application deadline." So while they're rolling, they haven't started to review them yet!
Besides, 4 weeks is not insanely long to progress to the next stage. I have had rolling firms that progress me to the next stage a couple of months after the application, it just depends on how on it they are, I guess!

 

[a1024]

what time is the deadline for Dentons?

 

[SBD total 1000lbs (and an applicant)]

why are BCLPs questions 500 words each? do they really want us to write close to 500 words? might sound a silly question just wondering if anyone has done their application if they did 500 for each

 

[user55998384]

Hi everyone - I have a Latham Q. I was successful for their open day which fast tracks to the vac scheme (don't need to do SJT or VI again but still need to write written app). BUT one of the Qs for the vac scheme is exactly the same as the one I wrote for the open day (a question on extracurriculars, interests, etc...). Is it alright for me to reuse the same Q? I forgot to ask this with gradrec!

hey , i was at the open day too and asked this - they said j copy and paste that answer as they obviously liked it!

 

[Dannie]

Guys is there no option to apply for a spring/summer vac at Sullivn & Cromwell if you're a 3rd yr law student

 

[johnsmith]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

Yes, the numerical ones definitely! I know I got one wrong on the A&O S, The same question came up again, and I got it right that time.

 

[WeGotThis!]

Has Reed Smith done any ACs for WVS?

 

[lelezb1]

Does anyone know if Davis Polk requires a completed pgdl from someone who completed their law degree outside the UK?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Has Reed Smith done any ACs for WVS?

I believe, for their vac schemes, they hold ACs for both then ask people to choose which one they prefer when they get an offer. And I don't think they hold AC's before the deadline which is Dec 19th

 

[Maddy]

Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith Is it fair to assume that I’ve been rejected by Reed Smith, given that I completed the video interview in the first batch but haven’t been invited to an assessment centre for winter vacation scheme?