TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[aspiringfuturetrainee2025]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.

I STRONGLY AGREE!!!!!

 

[EliteWhovian]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.

100% valid, I passed the test but I took it as seriously as a game of flappy birds. I really found it weird and might possibly be the worst stage of an application I've experienced

 

[LawGirl2023]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.

1000%! Most of the tests these firms use are a bunch of bs tbh

 

[bibss]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.

100% AGREE! The things we have to put up with!

 

[bibss]

Anyone applied to Cleary (and heard back)?

 

[Deleted member 3712]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.

Agreed completely, and on that note can we talk about Simmons and now A&O watching you in your home while you sit their SJT? Surprised no one has spoken about this more on this forum?

The camera is on throughout for Simmons, and someone said it is now on for A&O (can anyone confirm) which implies they receive a recording of you during the test and during the untimed prep for the VI questions.

How do they have time to watch a 50-minute long recording for thousands of applicants and still be fair? Do they pick and choose some minutes to dip into from some people’s tests and not others’?

Do they need the video to have AI tell them if the person moved during the video to prevent cheating? If that is the case, what happens if we go to take a drink and look to the side or down for too long?

What about if we unconsciously make a naturally more worried expression because we are taking a test in the comfort of our home, than we would if we were sitting it in the office? Is your face analysed to predict desirable or non-desirable traits too? If this is all true, and you have to keep a poker face on during the test, that is so manufactured and artificial a result.

When you get your rejection, it’s sad not to be able to know what to do differently next time and how to progress.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica

I’m slightly confused. I’m training with my firm in 2024 (completed LPC 2021) and they have confirmed no need for SQE 2 but will still do the PSC? I also attended a session held by BARBI and they confirmed those who have done the LPC and have a TC will not need to do any part of the SQE 2, rather if I did not have a TC then I could do the SQE 2 and get QWE as a paralegal and qualify that route instead?

You are on the old qualification system then. You are not doing anything related to the SQE, and just need to complete the old process of LPC, Period of Recognised Training and PSC.

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Agreed completely, and on that note can we talk about Simmons and now A&O watching you in your home while you sit their SJT? Surprised no one has spoken about this more on this forum?

The camera is on throughout for Simmons, and someone said it is now on for A&O (can anyone confirm) which implies they receive a recording of you during the test and during the untimed prep for the VI questions.

How do they have time to watch a 50-minute long recording for thousands of applicants and still be fair? Do they pick and choose some minutes to dip into from some people’s tests and not others’?

Do they need the video to have AI tell them if the person moved during the video to prevent cheating? If that is the case, what happens if we go to take a drink and look to the side or down for too long?

What about if we unconsciously make a naturally more worried expression because we are taking a test in the comfort of our home, than we would if we were sitting it in the office? Is your face analysed to predict desirable or non-desirable traits too? If this is all true, and you have to keep a poker face on during the test, that is so manufactured and artificial a result.

When you get your rejection, it’s sad not to be able to know what to do differently next time and how to progress.

ngl i agree with you. i jus recently sat the a&o test and ive never done the simmons one so i had no experience of it, but idk it just felt a bit odd, esp as you mention that they can see you during the prep as well. this is my own experience but ik it said unlimited time to prepare, theres no real countdown but i still felt a bit pressured to sort of get an answer out quickly since the camera was on i dont know if they would take into consideration how long a person sat there for prepping an answer for the VI part.

it might be controversial but i rather jus have a written app in the first stage so atleast theres a distinguishing factor on whether u get rejected because of ur application or because of ur WG/SJT, i think having it combined kind of threw me off cuz their SJT takes a while to get thru as well

 

[CallumJR]

Has anyone heard from RPC?

Someone who did a VS with them said that they have filled all their London TC places and the person was offered a Bristol TC instead.

 

[legallybrunette1]

Has anyone else also been told by Eversheds that their TC application won't be considered because they've filled all the spots from their Vacation Scheme? I'm really unimpressed. I think so many law firms just completely disregard applicants and how long is spent on applications.

 

[sea.and.waves]

Withers post-test PFO just now

 

[sxw517]

Anything from K&L Gates?

 

[lolamcd1]

Anyone heard from collyer bristow post AC? Or know when we can be expected to hear back??

 

[ab01]

Any update from Stephenson Harwood post-WG?

 

[Angel13890]

FF post WG pfo - kinda gutted since I got the AC last year but we just gotta roll with it.

 

[SemperParatus]

does anyone know if Weil will hold interviews for 2025 this August? thx in advance

 

[KrishmaK]

Is anyone still waiting for a PFO or voice interview invite from Addleshaw after submitting their application?

 

[Zaidoz10]

Someone who did a VS with them said that they have filled all their London TC places and the person was offered a Bristol TC instead.

Lovely.

 

[Noodles]

You are on the old qualification system then. You are not doing anything related to the SQE, and just need to complete the old process of LPC, Period of Recognised Training and PSC.

Hi Jessica,
I've just completed the LPC myself (so 2023) as the last cohort eligible to take that route.
Does this put me in the old qualification system where I just do the LPC, Period of Recognised Training, and PSC?
Or exempt from SQE1 but potentially need to do SQE2 depending on the firm?
I've had some conflicting information given to me so would appreciate any clarification you can offer!
Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica,
I've just completed the LPC myself (so 2023) as the last cohort eligible to take that route.
Does this put me in the old qualification system where I just do the LPC, Period of Recognised Training, and PSC?
Or exempt from SQE1 but potentially need to do SQE2 depending on the firm?
I've had some conflicting information given to me so would appreciate any clarification you can offer!
Thanks

Just to clarify, anyone who started or completed a law degree or GDL before December 2021 will be eligible to take the LPC route still until 2032.

It depends on what each firm is willing to offer you. It will either be:

A period of recognised training, where you will need to see three distinct area of law and complete the PSC. In the format, you are effectively tied to the firm for two years until you qualify.

Or

A SQE training opportunity where you are accumulating qualifying work experience. In this opportunity, you’ll be exempt from SQE1 where you have passed the LPC, but will need to complete SQE2 and accumulate two years of qualifying work experience with up to four organisations.