TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Monica Badescu]

What might the Dechert written exercise include? Any tips for structuring and writing a good response? @Antoni Trochimowicz

Hey!

I don't have any direct insight into the exact format/content of Dechert's written exercise, so I wouldn't want to speculate too much on what the specific task will involve. However, from my personal experience with written exercises, there are a couple of things that worth keeping in mind.

The first thing I would do is read through the task carefully before starting and make sure you fully understand what it is actually asking you to do. I found it really helpful to identify the audience (whether a senior lawyer or a client with limited legal knowledge, etc), the purpose of the task, and the key issues before writing anything. Even under time pressure, spending a couple of minutes doing this can stop you from going off track.

I would also try to keep your answer as focused and to the point as possible. In a lot of written exercises, you are given more information than you realistically need, so I think part of the assessment is showing that you can identify what is relevant and communicate it clearly, rather than trying to include every single detail.

A few things I always keep in mind are:

• Plan briefly before writing so your answer has a clear structure and logical flow.
• Prioritise the key points rather than treating every piece of information as equally important.
• Explain your reasoning if you are making a recommendation or reaching a conclusion.
• Tailor your tone and level of detail to the audience you are writing for.
• Leave a few minutes to proofread for grammar, spelling, names/figures and whether you have answered every part of the task.

I also found practising under timed conditions really useful. I would take a short commercial article or case study and practise turning it into a concise summary or recommendation within a set amount of time. That helped me get much more comfortable with processing information quickly and writing clearly under pressure.

Best of luck with the exercise!

 

[Monica Badescu]

Does anybody have any tips on how to pass the Arctic Shores gamified assessments?

Hey!

From my own experience with Arctic Shores assessments, I found it helpful to treat them like any other assessment and think about the skills firms are likely to be looking for in a trainee solicitor. Some firms even list their key trainee competencies or values on their website, so I would definitely have a look at those beforehand and keep them in mind throughout.

Different games also seemed to be testing quite different things. For example, I felt that some focused more on logical thinking and pattern recognition, while others seemed to test things such as collaboration, patience, adaptability or your willingness to embrace change and be flexible.

That said, I would not overthink every individual click or try too hard to work out exactly what each game is measuring while you are completing it. I found it much easier to understand the instructions carefully, think about the broader skills expected of a trainee and then approach each task as naturally and consistently as possible.

I would also recommend doing any practice material available beforehand, just so the format feels a little less unfamiliar on the day

 

[wrpark]

Any insights into the Gibson Dunn online test? Is it just SJT + Critical thinking? Is it timed?

 

[alanshore]

Sorry, not very relevant since I haven't yet heard back from them, but do you know people this cycle who already got invited to stage 2/ have you?
Last year they rejected me for the first-year scheme like months after successful candidates got stage 2, so I'm trying to figure out if I've already been unsuccessful

I asked on a different forum and one persono apparently has recieved an invite to stage 2. I have not however.

 

[lauramw36]

Is anyone else having trouble with the Pinset Masons application form? It won't let me continue past the RARE recruitment stage. Hoping it's just a temporary error as it's just opened.

 

[rose06]

I asked on a different forum and one persono apparently has recieved an invite to stage 2. I have not however.

Thank you so much for reaching out and letting me know! I hope they will still maybe send more invites this week... but I think if I don't get one by next Tuesday, I'll get over it and move on that test was quite hard so I'm not surprised I haven't yet heard back...

 

[natz]

Is anyone else having trouble with the Pinset Masons application form? It won't let me continue past the RARE recruitment stage. Hoping it's just a temporary error as it's just opened.

I had the same - I changed my answer to say no I didn't want to share my information and it let me onto the actual application

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hello @Antoni Trochimowicz

I was just wondering what you think would be the best structure to answer these questions:

Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application. For this question, are we supposed to connect back to the law firm, or the role of a commercial lawyer - or is it simply just stating the extra-curriculars? Also, are bullet points acceptable?

Describe a time when you demonstrated / needed to... - same with this, are we supposed to connect back to the law firm, or the role of a commercial lawyer?

Skadden’s London office advises on complex matters. Identify a recent deal or case handled by the London office and explain a key legal or commercial issue which the Skadden team had to address in that deal or case? For this question - how can we substantiate the answer further, as well as structure - because it's 300 words for only 1 issue

I'm very sorry, I appreciate it's a lot questions, but your advice would be really helpful

Hi! I do think some of the advice given in regards to this has been quite great, but I'm always happy to give my take. And, as always, no need to apologise

1:
I would definitely keep it in prose. Honestly, nearly in every potential aspect of the application (unless it specifically is stated bulletpoints are acceptable) I would opt to write in prose.

Personally, I would say you should just describe the extracurriculars etc. Through your examples, you can subtly link it back to the role of a lawyer by showcasing the skills you developed. Nevertheless, I don't think you need to overtly link it back to the firm in any specific way.

2.
I would need to see the full question but generally for that type of question you also don't need to link it the firm, however, same as above, you can certainly do so to a career in commercial law overall.

3.
I think for this question if you try to think of it as several issues you realise that the word count is quite just.

The way I would structure this:
1 Paragraph that incorporates:
A brief overview of the deal
An explanation of the key issue

This explanation should bring the paragraph to probably 100-130 words. This is because you could substantiate it with the potential impacts this issue can have on the deal, client etc. if it was not dealt with.

Then a separate paragraph or two demonstrating how Skadden was able to address that. This is your space to showcase both your commercial awareness and knowledge of the firm's practices.

 

[alanshore]

Is anyone else having trouble with the Pinset Masons application form? It won't let me continue past the RARE recruitment stage. Hoping it's just a temporary error as it's just opened.

They were supposed to launch apps a few days ago, but there was an issue with the form. When I tried to submit my app today, I got auto-rejected because I wasn't a penultimate, final-year student or graduate; however, I am a penultimate-year student. Maybe there are still issues with the application portal.

 

[mintgecko]

Has anyone received the tests for Eversheds, Reed Smith, HLC, or Dentons yet?

Applied over a week ago and haven't received anything. Should I assume I didn't pass screening?

 

[alanshore]

Has anyone received the tests for Eversheds, Reed Smith, HLC, or Dentons yet?

Applied over a week ago and haven't received anything. Should I assume I didn't pass screening?

Didn't recieve anything for Dentons post applying for their Dubai vac scheme

 

[alanshore]

Anyone who has successfully passed HLC Lift Off application stage previously, would you be willing to give pointers for one of the application questions? Can trade for CMS.

 

[insomnia]

Did anyone else get transferred from being considered for the winter vacation scheme to a training contract for A&O?

I realized I was not eligible as a master's student after submitting the assessment/video interview and reached out to careers, and they said that if successful, they will move me to TC to be invited for an interview

I'm wondering whether this is standard procedure or a good sign, since my winter vacation scheme was auto-rejected, but now I have a TC app under review in my portal.

 

[anon78365222111]

Did anyone else get transferred from being considered for the winter vacation scheme to a training contract for A&O?

I realized I was not eligible as a master's student after submitting the assessment/video interview and reached out to careers, and they said that if successful, they will move me to TC to be invited for an interview

I'm wondering whether this is standard procedure or a good sign, since my winter vacation scheme was auto-rejected, but now I have a TC app under review in my portal.

Happened to me now too

 

[nordicnomad]

at this point would it be better to apply for Sidley & Dechert spring/summer vs instead of the winter vs?

 

[lawapplicant04]

Hey everyone. Does anyone have any tips for the Pinsent Masons online blended assessment that is part of the application? Would be so grateful for any insights!

 

[rose06]

hey yall, somewhat of a niche question, but maybe someone has insight... I am not sure if my situation is smth that can/should be disclosed under mitigating circumstances. Essentially, there is an ongoing conflict in my home country, where my parents live. During the exam period, it was especially bad, and I lived with a lot of stress abt my parents surviving the night, which certainly did not help my results. I am not sure however if this is something that I can disclose – I mean, it's not the same as a discrete event of a death in a family or of a medical problem. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[174Tess9y3]

Hi forum!

I was wondering whether anyone had advice regarding writing an open day application for the "why do you want to attend"/"what are you hoping to gain" questions.

I've tried several different methods, and I keep getting rejected.

Thanks!

 

[Novaa]

at this point would it be better to apply for Sidley & Dechert spring/summer vs instead of the winter vs?

You'll never get the perfect answer with rolling deadlines unless you know grad rec, loads of people across different firms have said they got progressed really late into rolling deadline (e.g., day of deadline), but there are others who got phased out.

Applications are still open, so if you reckon you can put together a strong application for both without compromising either, and you're happy to gamble that Winter won't close early, go for that one. If not, Spring/Summer's the safer bet.

 

[Novaa]

hey yall, somewhat of a niche question, but maybe someone has insight... I am not sure if my situation is smth that can/should be disclosed under mitigating circumstances. Essentially, there is an ongoing conflict in my home country, where my parents live. During the exam period, it was especially bad, and I lived with a lot of stress abt my parents surviving the night, which certainly did not help my results. I am not sure however if this is something that I can disclose – I mean, it's not the same as a discrete event of a death in a family or of a medical problem. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Hellooo!!

Firstly, I hope your family is doing okay despite the circumstances

I think at its core, mitigating circumstances are anything which could have impacted your performance. Most policies also don't require one specific type of event, they just look at whether it caused significant stress/worry that affected your ability to perform. In my personal non-grad rec opinion I think having immediate family in an active war zone is something which would cause a lot of stress and impact your performance.

I would definitely mention it