TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

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:

 

[Deleted member 43292]

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 - Presiding Partner]

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 - Presiding Partner]

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):

 

[Novaa]

All of us when it hits past 11pm for some reason, I do love it though!

 

[radssss]

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.

My mentor at uni is a trainee there and I’ve heard really good things especially in relation to training and culture so I have applied too!

Have you heard back?

 

[lividowl03]

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

doubt it for the online tests, but at one AC I had, we did some trainee networking. The trainees were asking us about the exercises and said they had to trial run them a few months ago lol, written case study and presentation and group lol.

just remember once you finally get that TC, that doesn't mean you are done with ACs haha

 

[radssss]

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

Desperately waiting! Their email said they’d get back 10 days after the application deadline so I’m assuming from Tuesday onwards, we should start hearing back!
Their trainee scheme and sqe structure seems very appealing to me!

 

[Deleted member 43292]

doubt it for the online tests, but at one AC I had, we did some trainee networking. The trainees were asking us about the exercises and said they had to trial run them a few months ago lol, written case study and presentation and group lol.

just remember once you finally get that TC, that doesn't mean you are done with ACs haha

 

[CharlesT47]

I am too no clue what to expect but I hope they are telling the truth when they say there is nothing specific to prepare...

Is anyone else confused/nervous about how long the Kirkland & Ellis assessment day is, and if that means the format of the activities has changed from previous years?

Yeah same here I have no clue what to expect. The day is so much longer and they haven’t explained what we’re even doing

 

[radssss]

doubt it for the online tests, but at one AC I had, we did some trainee networking. The trainees were asking us about the exercises and said they had to trial run them a few months ago lol, written case study and presentation and group lol.

just remember once you finally get that TC, that doesn't mean you are done with ACs haha

I would dread that and get traumatised again

 

[radssss]

Also, has anyone received any news from Irwin Mitchell? I’ve applied for the business tc for london and haven’t heard back post online assessment :/

 

[Deleted member 43292]

doubt it for the online tests, but at one AC I had, we did some trainee networking. The trainees were asking us about the exercises and said they had to trial run them a few months ago lol, written case study and presentation and group lol.

just remember once you finally get that TC, that doesn't mean you are done with ACs haha

but like what happens if you perform badly on that trial AC...will the firm start questioning whether they made a mistake hiring you... gosh the pressure never ends

 

[dannyp123]

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

No timing really, I think most took ages to complete it (including me). Honestly wouldn't stress it too bad it's like a fancy application form if anything.

 

[radssss]

but like what happens if you perform badly on that trial AC...will the firm start questioning whether they made a mistake hiring you... gosh the pressure never ends

Good point, prolly not especially if you’re a second year trainee
Imagine being in your first seat and the pressure of knowing you messed up a sample ac (I still believe it won’t have any effect considering they don’t get to prep for it).