TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

There is a message "you must complete the entire test to avoid a score reduction".

Wow is there? Expecting a pfo then (verbal reasoning pls save me)

Was this message in the test instructions or email?

 

[Jaysen]

I was wondering whether any other users on here would support the notion of TCLA creating a seperate forum aimed at the more social and GIF side of things. That way information on here would be more easily accessible whilst also keeping the TCLA community in place, albeit on a seperate forum page.

In the past, we used to have a general discussion thread and a vacation scheme thread. I'd be happy to do this again. One downside is I think it would split everyone into two places.

Would be curious to know everyone's thoughts, though, especially for next cycle. Could you react with the emoji on this post if you think a separate chat thread would be better? And the if you think one thread is better?

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone still waiting on Macfarlanes

 

[M_m]

The Osborne Clarke Deductive Reasoning test was brutal - pretty sure I got all of the completed questions that I seriously attempted right but didn't manage to complete all 12 questions so just sort of chose answers at haste for the final 2 that I completed and didn't even manage to finish all 12 Qs!

I did the test last year as part of the Virtual AC stage. I am pretty sure I got ATLEAST 2-3 questions wrong, and I still managed to progress With 79%.

 

[Donuttime]

Anyone still waiting on Macfarlanes

I got PFO'd a while back

 

[radssss]

I did the test last year as part of the Virtual AC stage. I am pretty sure I got ATLEAST 2-3 questions wrong, and I still managed to progress With 79%.

Did you attempt all ques? I am worried now as I didn’t manage to finish 2

Also how do you know your score?

 

[Bbhu19]

Anyone got any tips to prep for a written task for an AC

I did the test last year as part of the Virtual AC stage. I am pretty sure I got ATLEAST 2-3 questions wrong, and I still managed to progress With 79%.

Are half answered questions marked? I feel as if I may have gotten 1 question half right and would be interested if it’s marked as a whole or if each individual answer is marked

 

[Bbhu19]

I did the test last year as part of the Virtual AC stage. I am pretty sure I got ATLEAST 2-3 questions wrong, and I still managed to progress With 79%.

And when did you hear back for the virtual AC if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Bbhu19]

And I emailed PWC, they said they are still considering applications for AC, thought I would say just incase anyone else was waiting

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

When choosing a firm specific deal to talk about at an AC can I use the one they spoke about at the open day as it was interesting, or should I just find a different one that I probably know less about in case they think it's lazy to have used the open day one

@lawstudent2 I personally don't really see an issue with this, as the open day is essentially a learning opportunity (similar to self study or research) - the only difference is they've told you directly. However, I would expect you to provide more detail or information that they haven't covered in your analysis or explanation for why it's interesting. So long as that interest is genuine, and they can see that, I don't think they would consider it as lazy.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

And I emailed PWC, they said they are still considering applications for AC, thought I would say just incase anyone else was waiting

can you give me their email pls can't find it

 

[lawstudent2]

@lawstudent2 I personally don't really see an issue with this, as the open day is essentially a learning opportunity (similar to self study or research) - the only difference is they've told you directly. However, I would expect you to provide more detail or information that they haven't covered in your analysis or explanation for why it's interesting. So long as that interest is genuine, and they can see that, I don't think they would consider it as lazy.

That is really useful, thank you!

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

When choosing a firm specific deal to talk about at an AC can I use the one they spoke about at the open day as it was interesting, or should I just find a different one that I probably know less about in case they think it's lazy to have used the open day one

Also, maybe discuss why it caught your attention enough to go away and research it more

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Also, maybe discuss why it caught your attention enough to go away and discuss it more

Managing Director!! I’m gna change my name now to Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner lmao.​

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Managing Director!! I’m gna change my name now to Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner lmao.​

Noooo! Its Pearson first and always

 

[lawstudent2]

Also, maybe discuss why it caught your attention enough to go away and research it more

Ooo yeh, thanks guys

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Does anyone have insights on how to approach this question? "Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?"

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar, if I have 60-90 seconds to answer a VI question on "why X law firm", would it be acceptable to talk about the general type of work that the firm has done in the past, rather than delve into in-depth specifics of a deal? I don't want to name-drop a deal and then not have enough time to connect it to my answer properly.

Hi @M_m I understand why you would want to lack depth here, given the time. Although we need to ensure the reason is specific enough to the firm and well qualified with why that appeals to you - and I feel like general work doesn't meet that mark. So, instead think about a specific type of work they do and whether they do it well, e.g. returning clients, heightened demand, a grip on a particular sector - you can do this without talking about a particular deal which cuts down on the amount of depth you would need to go into. Then ensure you can explain why that interests you and if it links to a particular skill/experience of yours.

 

[random6035]

how cooked are we if we didn't manage to answer all the questions in the OC deductive reasoning test??

 

[Donna Paulsen]

how cooked are we if we didn't finish the OC deductive reasoning test??

Did you put random answers at the end or leave them blank? I did the former for the last two because I ran out of time. If not, where did you get up to?