Which Law Firms use an Online Test? 2018-19

[Roland]

Gowling WLG have a behaviour-based game test called Skyrise City (it's an app you need to download onto your phone or tablets). It's 10 games asking you to do different tasks with the last game being a logical/abstract reasoning test (very similar to the one for Simmons). I believe the score you get in each game is not the most important bit, but they are assessing how you react to the games and your ways of approaching the game, for example, when it gets harder, how would you react to it? They give you a very detailed feedback report right after completing the test regardless of the outcome of your application.

 

[Jaysen]

Gowling WLG have a behaviour-based game test called Skyrise City (it's an app you need to download onto your phone or tablets). It's 10 games asking you to do different tasks with the last game being a logical/abstract reasoning test (very similar to the one for Simmons). I believe the score you get in each game is not the most important bit, but they are assessing how you react to the games and your ways of approaching the game, for example, when it gets harder, how would you react to it? They give you a very detailed feedback report right after completing the test regardless of the outcome of your application.

Thanks, I will add this. That's an interesting way of assessing candidates - how did you find it?

 

[Roland]

Thanks, I will add this. That's an interesting way of assessing candidates - how did you find it?

Thanks Jaysen! The game-based test was very different to other law firms' tests (like Watson Glaser or SHL verbal reasoning). I found it very interactive and refreshing but at times could be quite intense as some games were not easy (and quite hardcore to be honest)! Given that I'm a gamer myself, I struggled with one game in which it's testing your reaction time and concentration. You may say this is unfair to some people who are not familiar with games, but I think what they are assessing is not how well you score or perform in the games but how you approach them and if you will 'give up' in adverse situations. Happy to share details if anyone else interested - just PM me

 

[Soliha]

Ashurst has online test for 2019-2020 cycle.

 

[W]

What doess the Ashurst test involve? And what other firms for 2019-2020 definitely don't do tests?

 

[Soliha]

Here is the overview of the test which can be found on Ashurst website

 

[W]

I saw that, I meant what does it actually involve? I've never done a test involving those platforms before.

 

[Soliha]

I saw that, I meant what does it actually involve? I've never done a test involving those platforms before.

Ah I see. I have not done them yet. So I cant help now, sorry.

 

[Julia]

I saw that, I meant what does it actually involve? I've never done a test involving those platforms before.

Hey! I did the Ashurt tests a few weeks ago, and this is what each of the three tests was like:
1) Values fit: quite standard - basically just a behavioural questionnaire type of test
2) Cognify: this one is very different from anything I've seen! You complete some 'games' that show how good your verbal/logical/numerical reasoning is. You can get a good feel for how you've done at the end of each 'game' as you get a score. There are quite a lot of short games to complete (maybe around 10 or so, each taking <5 minutes)
3) Emotify: this test looks at your emotional intelligence. You have to match emotions to expressions and say what emotion is appropriate based on different scenarios for example. It gets significantly more difficult as you progress through the test.

There isn't really a way of preparing for these tests in my opinion, maybe just by looking at the skills/values Ashurst looks for in their trainees. Hope this helps!

 

[W]

Great - thanks so much!!

 

[Serah O]

BCLP has scrapped the online test for 2019/20 cycle.

 

[W]

BCLP has scrapped the online test for 2019/20 cycle.

Do you still have to do situational test?

 

[Serah O]

Do you still have to do situational test?

No just application then assessment centre.

 

[W]

Hey! I did the Ashurt tests a few weeks ago, and this is what each of the three tests was like:
1) Values fit: quite standard - basically just a behavioural questionnaire type of test
2) Cognify: this one is very different from anything I've seen! You complete some 'games' that show how good your verbal/logical/numerical reasoning is. You can get a good feel for how you've done at the end of each 'game' as you get a score. There are quite a lot of short games to complete (maybe around 10 or so, each taking <5 minutes)
3) Emotify: this test looks at your emotional intelligence. You have to match emotions to expressions and say what emotion is appropriate based on different scenarios for example. It gets significantly more difficult as you progress through the test.

There isn't really a way of preparing for these tests in my opinion, maybe just by looking at the skills/values Ashurst looks for in their trainees. Hope this helps!

Did you manage

No just application then assessment centre.

Do you know if BCLP have rolling or non rolling apps?

 

[Serah O]

Did you manage

Do you know if BCLP have rolling or non rolling apps?

I think it is. If I recall correctly they said they will start reviewing application and issuing AC invites in mid November. I could be thinking of another firm so take that with a grain of salt.
The only other info I made notes on is the weighting of the application sections. More than 50% of the focus is placed on how you answer the application questions, followed by academics, then work experience and extra-curricular activities/hobbies.
They are also fine with work experience being in bullet points.

 

[W]

I think it is. If I recall correctly they said they will start reviewing application and issuing AC invites in mid November. I could be thinking of another firm so take that with a grain of salt.
The only other info I made notes on is the weighting of the application sections. More than 50% of the focus is placed on how you answer the application questions, followed by academics, then work experience and extra-curricular activities/hobbies.
They are also fine with work experience being in bullet points.

Thank you, so I guess you need to start submitting apps by end of Nov then? But the deadline is Jan 2020 right?

 

[Hattie coleman]

Online tests aren't for everyone. I've been asked this a few times and thought it would be helpful if we had a list of firms that do and don't require you to complete some form of online test.

I've compiled the list below mostly using Chambers Student, so please let me know if any of the firms are in the wrong place, or if you have any more firms to add to the list (you guys were great when we compiled the rolling basis list).

Law firms which use an online test:

• Allen & Overy (situational judgement test)
• Baker McKenzie (Watson Glaser Test)
• BCLP (online verbal aptitude test - for firm's purposes only/no weight on application for vac schemes)
• Bird & Bird (Watson Glaser Test)
• Browne Jacobson
• Burges Salmon (at the Assessment Centre)
• Clifford Chance (Watson Glaser Test)
• CMS (critical reasoning test)
• Cooley (critical thinking appraisal)
• Dentons (Watson Glaser Test)
• DLA Piper (verbal reasoning test)
• Freshfields (Watson Glaser Test)
• Gowling WLG (Skyrise City game (includes logical/abstract reasoning test)
• Hogan Lovells (Watson Glaser Test)
  HSF (Short verbal reasoning test)
• K&L Gates (online verbal reasoning test)
• Kennedys (critical thinking test)
• Linklaters (Watson Glaser)
• Mayer Brown (online verbal reasoning and situational judgement test)
• Mishcon de Reya (critical thinking and situational strengths)
  
• Osborne Clarke (verbal reasoning test)
• Pinsent Masons (at interview)
• Reed Smith (online situational strengths test)
• Simmons & Simmons (situational judgement test, then online logical and verbal reasoning test)
• Taylor Wessing (game-based psychometric test)
• Weil Gotshal & Manges (Watson Glaser Test)
• Withers (numerical and verbal reasoning test)

Law firms which do not use an online test:

• Ashurst
• Bristows
• Clear Gottlieb
• Clyde & Co
• Davis Polk
• Debevoise
• Dechert
• DWF
• Eversheds
• Gibson Dunn
• Jones Day
• Kirkland & Ellis
• Latham & Watkins
• Macfarlanes
• MoFo
• Norton Rose Fulbright
• O’Melveny
• Shearman & Sterling
• Sidley Austin
• Skadden
• Slaughter and May
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Travers Smith
• Watson Farley & Williams
• White & Case

Ashurst now do use psychometric testing- called 'Revelian'. I just got rejected on the back of it, which was disappointing.

 

[Jaysen]

Ashurst now do use psychometric testing- called 'Revelian'. I just got rejected on the back of it, which was disappointing.

Sorry to hear that! Will look at updating the list soon.

 

[Bugsy Malone]

Thank you, so I guess you need to start submitting apps by end of Nov then? But the deadline is Jan 2020 right?

I applied the day before the deadline last year (in January) and got an invited to AC

 

[W]

I applied the day before the deadline last year (in January) and got an invited to AC

Thank you