Well, I already spent time on Cleary so I'll send it off and cry ig
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
'What makes us different from the other firms you have applied for?' such a pick-me question... you're soooooo different babes dw x
@FutureTraineeMaybe
With written exercises, it's usually not so much the content that you can prepare for but the skills you need to pass them. This includes attention to detail, time management, structure, and overall technique.
Although these are all skills you no doubt have in different capacities, the challenge comes from having to use them all interchangeably at heightened pressure.
I can't say much for preparation other than practice, but please use the following tips during a practise WE and try to make yourself comfortable with doing this :
1. Plan effectively
With limited time, you may feel the need to rush into answering, but caveat some time to plan your approach. For some, this comes from skimming the question(s) first and then reading through the document(s) provided, so that they can highlight or take note of relevant details, and for others, this may come from planning out one-minute skeletons of what they're going to say for each question.
Research has actually shown that skeleton planning your answers, actually improves the consistency, writing, and speed of your answers - so I think its one to consider.
Additionally, the planning doesn't just apply to the writing, it applies to time allocation - so, how much time you're going to spend reading, planning, writing, and proofreading.
2. Understand your audience
In the rush of everything, you may forget who your audience is. This is important to bare in mind as it guides the depth and length of your answer(s). For example, for an internal memo you may only need to write a few bullet points but for a client letter you may need to write a lot.
I've seen candidates write essays for memo's, and unfortunately, as detailed as they were, the marks just were not available to give and it cut into the amount of time that was required elsewhere. Don't make the same mistake, and take your audience into account.
FYI: A very useful post here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/ac-written-exercises.3638/post-72204
3. PROOFREAD!
Often forgotten, but the surest way to pick up any last minute marks. Save a few minutes at the end to proofread your answers, and make sure that spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. Although it's not the end of the world, the process can get quite competitive, so you need to pick up as many marks as possible and this is the easiest way.
P.S. Depends on the firms, but sometimes, especially when you have limited time left and there is one last question that you failed to answer, provide your skeleton plan if you can. They may disregard it, however, it could be useful for them to see your thinking/planning (just in case)
For anyone who has completed the PGDL? How hard was it? How many hours a week did you spend on it?
I've heard some people say it was hands down the most difficult thing they've ever done, and heard others say they kinda coasted through it, just wondering what to expect. The providers say to expect to spend 40 hours a week on it, but they would say that. Like I've had modules at uni which were meant to take me 10 hours a week, but could easily spend 1 or 2 and get a first. Other modules I'm spending double the expected time and struggling for a 2:1.
How is the GDL, in terms of contact hours, and further study/revision?
I've heard some people say it was hands down the most difficult thing they've ever done, and heard others say they kinda coasted through it, just wondering what to expect. The providers say to expect to spend 40 hours a week on it, but they would say that. Like I've had modules at uni which were meant to take me 10 hours a week, but could easily spend 1 or 2 and get a first. Other modules I'm spending double the expected time and struggling for a 2:1.
How is the GDL, in terms of contact hours, and further study/revision?
And ManchesterThey told me the same thing and then sent me a generic PFO post app a week after their deadline closed. My A-levels aren’t the strongest though (ABB with mit circs + contextual), but I do have a very high 2:1 (68.5%) so idk it seems they really care about the AAA and high 2:1 together.
Now granted others have progressed with lower academics, that can’t be taken in isolation. They will have either years of professional experience as a career changer, or they have tons of quirky legal work experience maybe even as a paralegal so it effectively makes up for the grades.
Also idk what the whole ‘leading university’ thing is about. Is it another Milbank or Davis Polk situation who only seem to hire from Oxbridge or one of the London RGs (maybe add Durham, Warwick and Edinburgh), or do all RG count, even some of the northern ones like Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool…
I keep noticing the AS Commercial Awareness Competition in the LinkedIn profiles of future trainees, and I may have to make my debut for the 2026 one. 😍
If an interviewer asks a question and you don't know the answer, how would you approach it appropriately? keen on any advice
just long. i worked alongside it and did well like distinctions in modules. the exams are all take home and they mark pretty nicely it’s just a lot of info at once
honestly the worst bit is the class like you’re surrounded by very intelligent people it’s horrible haha and a lot of them will be smarter and have more time than you and it feels very overwhelming but generally it’s all doable and repetitive at a point
some modules are just hard like contract, rarely people did exceptionally whilst criminal people did well. the orals are nice but the written exams are tough but you get the SBAQs to back up your exams so it’s fine
It’s an amazing competition. I’ve made friends for life from it this year and it’s opened up opportunities!I keep noticing the AS Commercial Awareness Competition in the LinkedIn profiles of future trainees, and I may have to make my debut for the 2026 one. 😍
@applicant3000 the best approach is to first take a minute to think about the answer, and let them know you just need to think. If however, the answer doesn't come to you, let them know that you'd not considered this topic before or cannot recall a piece of information AND if you're willing to give it a go anyway, then proceed to do so. It's not as devastating as you think it is, if you approach it in an open manner.If an interviewer asks a question and you don't know the answer, how would you approach it appropriately? keen on any advice
I’ve not seen a PFO since the cycle started, but people are saying it’s selective.
The AI has performed the natural obligations
If you screen recorded yourself taking an amberjack test, would the system detect it? asking for uhh... a friend
It depends what you mean by screen recording and on which platform. I use Windows - I have no information about Apple.
If you were to use a screen recording app, the answer is no, it is not possible.
It is theoretically possible for a website to watch for keystrokes. However, printscreen is typically handled by Windows and wouldn't be intercepted.
The obvious thing that they can easily capture is loss of focus. Thus for example if you change windows, they can detect that.
Now that I think about it… if Netflix can detect screenshots/screen recording and black out your screen without you authorising anything. Tell your friend to forget that.
GRAD REC GON GET THEM!
Netflix can't detect it, it's hardware-accelerated video which means it goes behind screenshot functionality, hence a black screen.
If you disable hardware-accleration you can take screenshots as normal.
I know some firms use the tests to screen people out, even if they’re selective.
Eg, you submit app and do their first test, if you don’t do well you don’t get the next test, if you do do well you get the second test. Then after you’ve completed that, if you don’t do well they don’t read your app.
I’m sure they can screen out a lot of applications this way.
Gowling should get back to us today for the London VS if their ACs are next week… right😆
Absolutely in shambles Weil rejection, I even did their careers dinner, open day, mentorship with my uni, allocated mentor was also a trainee at Weil. I did everything I could for the VI, the test was great, I practiced for days, tried various answers, used the tcla vi practice tool till I exhausted most relevant questions. I did all this in Nov, so I don't even get why they took so long. Sometimes no news is just no news, it usually never tends to be good news. I was really hoping they could give me some feedback because it feels very frustrating, because I spend so much time and effort on them it feels like I lost the app I was really really hopeful about deep inside. I cannot help but worry and feel very low.
I would really appreciate some advice at this point.
I would really appreciate some advice at this point.
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