TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[amb303]

Don’t lose hope!
I applied on the deadline and they sent me the sjt after 3 days so I’m assuming they’re still reviewing apps/sjts and it’s taking time coz loads of people must have applied on deadline day .

Im in the same boat. I will say though, we might not hear back from them for a long time if they’re not progressing us. Last year I made it to SJT shortly after the January deadline and didn’t get PFO’d until summer

 

[radssss]

Im in the same boat. I will say though, we might not hear back from them for a long time if they’re not progressing us. Last year I made it to SJT shortly after the January deadline and didn’t get PFO’d until summer

That is crazy!!

 

[trainee4u]

what would you wear to this?


- Group Task: You’ll participate in a group activity and presentation (no preparation needed; instructions will be provided on the day).
- Mini "Speed" Interview: You’ll have an informal chat with an assessor lasting 10-15 minutes. Make the most of this opportunity to share about yourself!
- Q&A Session: I’ll be available for any questions you have about the firm or the process.

Dress Code: Smart casual is perfect; no need for a suit.

I'm thinking suit, right?

 

[amb303]

That is crazy!!

Yeah for sure

 

[saltpepper]

Bakers VI! If you've done this please send me a message !!

Did you also receive a feedback report this morning? I did and I'm trying to figure out if it was sent instead of a rejection lol

 

[lelezb1]

How many questions does the Baker's VI have? The email says it won't take more than 15 mins to complete

 

[lelezb1]

Did you also receive a feedback report this morning? I did and I'm trying to figure out if it was sent instead of a rejection lol

I received one this morning and got the VI invite in the evening

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Realistically, if we wanted a fully objective test it would be a typical Cattell-Horn-Carroll type IQ test, but no law firm is stupid enough to do that. I think a scenario based interview where one guides the interviewer through their thought process (law or not) is the most objective way to actually test critical thinking. There is no handrails, no prep time just you and two partners and a scenario and you need to answer it in the moment.

Of course scenario based interviews are ideal, just unfeasible to conduct on the scale of applications. Even using junior associates, let alone partners, is impossible until the candidates are filtered from thousands to a couple hundred or so. The tests exist to cut a large % of candidates to a manageable candidates. Even to read the application forms is time consuming, and really grades aren't a good differentiator amoungst a field of strong academic candidates. If I could wish for any test, no matter the feasibility of assigning a test, then of course I wouldn't wish for a WG. But feasibility / and ease of testing is important to firms when considering tests.

The SJT imo is the least good test option to do that. I still think the best (that I have taken) are the Osborne Clarke Verbal & deductive tests (and I'll still say that even if I get rejected from the tests).

Would love some recommendations!

Will DM you tomorrow! Also have some PDFs that might be helpful

 

[radssss]

what would you wear to this?


- Group Task: You’ll participate in a group activity and presentation (no preparation needed; instructions will be provided on the day).
- Mini "Speed" Interview: You’ll have an informal chat with an assessor lasting 10-15 minutes. Make the most of this opportunity to share about yourself!
- Q&A Session: I’ll be available for any questions you have about the firm or the process.

Dress Code: Smart casual is perfect; no need for a suit.

I'm thinking suit, right?

Yea, I would still wear a suit (especially men).
I don’t think something like a quarter zipper and a shirt under with pants would hurt tho!

Also this ac sounds pretty interesting! Which firm is this for?

 

[hanz123]

There was a whole discussion about this a few days ago (maybe last week) and I agree. But maybe I am also biased cause I just hate them lol.

Agreed fully hate them

 

[trainee4u]

Yea, I would still wear a suit (especially men).
I don’t think something like a quarter zipper and a shirt under with pants would hurt tho!

Also this ac sounds pretty interesting! Which firm is this for?

it's for Walker Morris - someone else got one in the thread today also.

 

[Jennifer2003]

what would you wear to this?


- Group Task: You’ll participate in a group activity and presentation (no preparation needed; instructions will be provided on the day).
- Mini "Speed" Interview: You’ll have an informal chat with an assessor lasting 10-15 minutes. Make the most of this opportunity to share about yourself!
- Q&A Session: I’ll be available for any questions you have about the firm or the process.

Dress Code: Smart casual is perfect; no need for a suit.

I'm thinking suit, right?

is this for walker morris? I got the same email and have no idea what to go for if a suit is too far lol

 

[M85672]

Surely its too late to hear from Perkins? Isn't the end of their first round of screening this week

 

[radssss]

it's for Walker Morris - someone else got one in the thread today also.

Congratulations!! Ace it

 

[J333]

Does anyone know if the Shoosmiths sjt has a vi?

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Does anyone know if the Shoosmiths sjt has a vi?

it doesn't ! just SJT and critical thinking I believe

 

[radssss]

does anyone know when squires get back to us

Yes, someone emailed and got a response - early Feb.

 

[J333]

it doesn't ! just SJT and critical thinking I believe

Thank you!!

 

[flower1]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock
I was wondering what are some current issues in the banking & finance sector in particular - I have fintech and interests rates, but aside from that, I was wondering about specific things regarding this particular sector

Thank you

 

[xMontmorency]

I mean any sort of critical thinking, numerical reasoning, deductive reasoning, error checking tests etc are pretty objective.
If I were running a recruitment process for example, I'd have an application form with 0 questions.
Automatically allocated test (based on grade requirements) with WG+ deductive reasoning + numerical reasoning.
Automatic timed long answer question test based on passing benchmark - I'd have 4 questions randomly allocated from a question bank of 40 questions (10 questions per type). I'd publish all questions online so that nobody would have an unfair advantage from communicating with people who took the test.
Then AC.

Of course, no process can be completely objective, but I still think SJTs are a non-evidence based way to thin out applicants. (Of course, you could argue that people who practice and research SJTs deserve to do better on average, and to an extent I agree)

Respectfully, this is a terrible way of testing candidates for training contracts.