TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[dannyp123]

Hi, if you look at their application questions, it requires you to use all your work experience briefly as examples

Yes of course, but its a shame because you really cant put the full context of most of these experiences in. Regardless at least not much left for me to do and I can submit before the deadline!

 

[James Wakefield]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

 

[M_m]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar, how would you suggest structuring answers for scenario-based questions in an interview? Particularly if it’s a VI and there’s 2 mins to answer.

 

[lolololol]

So I am in the midst of writing it. The cover letter is part of the application website but I don't think it is part of the form. When you're filling it out there are three questions that the form says are specifically the assessed part of the app and also don't have a word limit. Hence why I think the cover letter is part of creating a website account and not actually part of the application form (feels silly to do a cover letter when you have a written form of unlimited word count). Also the cover letter isn't mandatory which I think would be strange if it was part of the form.

thanks for this! could you share the questions and word count if you don’t mind?

 

[maymays]

About to do the fixed Mishcon AI interiew. I've seen mixed reviews and I'm honestly not sure what to expect gang. is it like a one-on-one tailored interview, based off the application data. And then to end it..there is a motivational VI q or multiple at the end that is not like amberjack, but 1 minute to think, 1 minute to answer?

 

[lolololol]

There isn't a cover letter. Just Cv and three questions with unlimited word count

thank you, could you share the questions pls if you don’t mind

 

[M_m]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

What general type of questions did they ask for the VI? I’m freaking out about the amberjack test myself and trying to figure out how best to structure my prep.

 

[dannyp123]

About to do the fixed Mishcon AI interiew. I've seen mixed reviews and I'm honestly not sure what to expect gang. is it like a one-on-one tailored interview, based off the application data. And then to end it..there is a motivational VI q or multiple at the end that is not like amberjack, but 1 minute to think, 1 minute to answer?

Its a motivational VI at the end and its only one (also unfortunately one minute to think one minute to answer). As for the rest they kind of have set questions which they lead with and then the personalisation comes from the follow up questions the AI asks you based off what you said. Im pretty sure it does not have your application data when asking the initial questions. There is an opportunity to practice using the AI chat and play around with how it works before you do it so that you understand how it works. Best of luck with it!

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Its a motivational VI at the end and its only one (also unfortunately one minute to think one minute to answer). As for the rest they kind of have set questions which they lead with and then the personalisation comes from the follow up questions the AI asks you based off what you said. Im pretty sure it does not have your application data when asking the initial questions. There is an opportunity to practice using the AI chat and play around with how it works before you do it so that you understand how it works. Best of luck with it!

Is the entire test timed? I'm planning on doing the test tomorrow and I'm struggling to get my head around it

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Anyone familiar with Squire Patton Boggs? I know it's not as high profile as other firms but I've heard their training is really good.

 

[ilikelaw]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

isn’t the maximum 36?! that’s crazy

 

[Harvey Specter]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

Law firm grad rec teams when they open the forum and see that we think these tests are rubbish:

 

[floral.tcla]

Hey @floral.tcla although its a buzz-word that gets flown around a lot, if you're a good cultural fit, it simply means that you are someone that the hiring team can see as working at the firm and someone that would be easy to get along with - which I think is always being assessed regardless. This is particularly quite important for any company, as their environment could require a specific type of candidate e.g. fast-paced/time-dedicated - and having a candidate who seems a little less organised or wants a perfect work-life balance, probably won't be seen as a good fit.

thank you, that makes sense!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Law firm grad rec teams when they open the forum and see that we think these tests are rubbish:

Grad rec trying the tests for fun and getting a score of 12:

 

[elle woods]

Grad rec trying the tests for fun and getting a score of 12:

do you think they actually do the tests themselves or do they get their trainees to test it out instead 😂

 

[Harvey Specter]

do you think they actually do the tests themselves or do they get their trainees to test it out instead 😂

Grad rec getting the trainees to take the test and they only score a whopping 7…

 

[Novaa]

Grad rec trying the tests for fun and getting a score of 12

Me when I heard “I’ve tried it, and passed the test. So just try think like a Lawyer and it should be straightforward”.

How about we try those VIs too!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Grad rec getting the trainees to take the test and they only score a whopping 7…

Partners trying the tests for fun and coming across a question asking 'what would you do if there are two urgent tasks given to you by two partners that are due in 3 minutes but a fellow trainee is crying his eyes out and a client has moved your meeting to yesterday'

 

[tc2026]

hey has anyone heard from bank of England post the test?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Partners trying the tests for fun and coming across a question asking 'what would you do if there are two urgent tasks given to you by two partners that are due in 3 minutes but a fellow trainee is crying his eyes out and a client has moved your meeting to yesterday'

This will be the immediate aftermath (the partner is crashing out in their office):