• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Amberjack SJT's seem to assess on four pillars: grit, digital mindset, creative force, and applied intellect. Does anyone have any tips on how to focus my answers towards demonstrating these skills? I have taken so many SJT's and have had an average 4466 score, so I'm really struggling with improving on these. I know authenticity goes a long way but seems like being honest here is really not working.

PS. I flopped my RS SJT last year, trying to avoid the same this year!!!!
 
got an email at 11:10pm from Milbank's reasonable adjustment provide (?) saying that it's been approved. what the hell lol
Milbank defo saw your post about them failing to include your adjustments and rushed to send that email as a last minute attempt at damage control:

full speed running GIF by KingfisherWorld
 
Have been considering getting a TCLA mock WE to prep, but not 100% on if I'll pull the trigger on it. I think it's something like 60 quid. If not, I'll just try using ChatGPT to generate case studies or use FT articles.
The big4 consulting firms usually publish business case studies you can have a go at! Mishcon kept pushing them at both open days I'd been to.


Edit*
Found this through a quick google search

Edit2*
I appreciate OP is asking for WE material but this is still handy.

 
Last edited:
Pinsent Masons AC.
Would appreciate any advice as this is my first AC. I remember earlier in the year people were talking about the in-tray exercise being quite difficult to complete within the allocated time?
I did an AC with them for a solicitor apprenticeship a few years back, so I’m not sure if it will be the same but I’m sure it’s similar. I would highly recommend doing their forage work experience because the tasks were similar to those of the in-tray task. And yes, the time constraints were tight, but do-able. You just need to prioritise the tasks properly.

Also, their interview was very structured and did not deviate from the script and had different sections for competency, motivation, commercial awareness etc (it felt very long lmao), so I’d recommend preparing for all types of questions!

Overall everyone was very lovely and welcoming.
 
  • 🤝
Reactions: GKT
Has anyone applied to sidley for one vac scheme and then applied again in the same cycle? I applied for winter and now im thinking i should just apply again for summer because sometimes they just do get a lot of applications so it may be worth it? But im not too sure if its worth it, i was thinking of slightly changing my answers but that was it?
 
If Baker McKenzie had released ACs, I'd expect to see far more confirmations here. For a firm of that size, AC cohorts aren't small, so a single vague post doesn't really add up. Hoping for the best. The waiting is genuinely stressing me out.
Wednesday is usually when most updates come out. This wait is genuinely taking a toll at this point. Something just doesn’t seem right.
 
Thank you, how did it go for you? That numerical part was so unexpected!

I love your username😍

We’ve got @Harvey Specter @Jessica Pearson @Mike Ross 2025 on here 💅
I had mixed feelings about it tbh. I enjoy spotting spelling and grammar mistakes and the numerical part was also calm, but the SJT part felt like a hit or miss (like I couldn't really satisfy what they were looking for). In the feedback report there's no score, just 3 top skills and one area for improvement. I got personal responsibility for mine and I don't think that's true lol.
 
If Baker McKenzie had released ACs, I'd expect to see far more confirmations here. For a firm of that size, AC cohorts aren't small, so a single vague post doesn't really add up. Hoping for the best. The waiting is genuinely stressing me out.
We don’t even know what that one post said. Could’ve simply been a troll, stranger things have happened. Due to the lack of contribution made by that person I’m starting to think that’s more and more true. Forgive me for being presumptuous though.
 
Has baker mckenzie even sent the test invites for summer vac scheme yet? I just want to be prepared for a rejection if they have because I applied a day before deadline.
i haven’t heard anything, it was a non-rolling deadline and i’m fairly sure they said at the open day they review all the applications before sending tests but i might be mistaken
 

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.