TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

King & Spalding trainee Q&A invite. Who else is going to this? It’s an online event next week.

Can I ask how you found out about this? Was it on their website?

 

[aphelion]

What was everyone’s report feedback for FF?

I got collaboration, growth and credible communicator as strength

Personal responsibility as weakness

I got the same strengths as you and my weakness was adaptability. I thought I was in with a good shot with that ngl hahaha

 

[Tintin06]

Can I ask how you found out about this? Was it on their website?

I applied to an open day. They invited me to this instead.

 

[congrades]

Freshfields WG, 3.45 pm today

 

[EA95]

King & Spalding are only offering 4 TC’s?

 

[nyanchan22]

Anyone heard back from Clyde & Co post VI/SJT?

 

[lalalala]

has anyone still not heard back from freshfields? 🤣

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Hi! First-time poster here after many months of reading and lurking
Writing for advice because I am truly at a crossroads.

I'm contemplating. Do I — (a) take my chances and continue applying for TCs as an international student, hopefully significantly improving my skillset and application-writing in preparation for the next cycle, or (b) consider practicing at my home-country as a foreign-qualified lawyer (probably the NY Bar). I know both aren't mutually exclusive; I can continue applying and prep for the bar at the same time, but really it's the opportunity cost that concerns me. How should I spend my time in a way that would give me the best return?
For context: I'm an international student, having graduated UCL Law in 2023 with a 1st. After graduating, I chose to go back home because of a job offer. Fast-forward to now, I'm realising that I much prefer the structure of a legal career than what venture capital can offer me.

While working full-time, I applied to Direct TCs to 12 firms and reached the final-stage for only one MC firm last year, but got rejected. I was hoping to have the opportunity to do more interviews, but only managed to get 1.

TLDR; Is it a good use of my time to prep for the NY Bar for the July exam, and then focus on TC applications after the exam? This is so that, if I indeed don't get anything the next cycle in London, I'm qualified and have options to work here at home.

Anyone with experience doing the NY bar, or in a similar position — or really anyone at all — please advise and I'd love to talk!

I believe if you qualify there ie. in NY you will just need to do SQE2 to transfer to being qualified here but do check further.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I received an invite to do the Freshfields WG test which also contained a link to do a practice test. I clicked on the link to check whether it was working and closed the window after. When I try to access the practice test now, it doesn't let me do it. Do you think it would be detrimental to ask the recruitment team to send me a new link to the practice test? In case it may showcase me as not having attention to detail or another competency required for a lawyer.

 

[kokoprep]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I received an invite to do the Freshfields WG test which also contained a link to do a practice test. I clicked on the link to check whether it was working and closed the window after. When I try to access the test now, it doesn't let me do it. Do you think it would be detrimental to ask the recruitment team to send me a new link? In case it may showcase me as not having attention to detail or another competency required for a lawyer.

wait so practice goes to actual test?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

wait so practice goes to actual test?

no it goes to practice test but apparently you can only access the practice test once

 

[Tintin06]

@Jessica Booker is 2018 work experience too old? I want to include everything ideally. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[kokoprep]

no it goes to practice test but apparently you can only access the practice test once

which platform is the watson glaser on?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker is 2018 work experience too old? I want to include everything ideally. Thanks in advance for your advice.

No - any work experience ideally should be included unless you are limited to a number of entries.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I received an invite to do the Freshfields WG test which also contained a link to do a practice test. I clicked on the link to check whether it was working and closed the window after. When I try to access the test now, it doesn't let me do it. Do you think it would be detrimental to ask the recruitment team to send me a new link? In case it may showcase me as not having attention to detail or another competency required for a lawyer.

Sorry to chase @Jessica Booker but I would be very grateful for your input. Thanks!

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I received an invite to do the Freshfields WG test which also contained a link to do a practice test. I clicked on the link to check whether it was working and closed the window after. When I try to access the test now, it doesn't let me do it. Do you think it would be detrimental to ask the recruitment team to send me a new link? In case it may showcase me as not having attention to detail or another competency required for a lawyer.

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam I would also appreciate your input as well. I am just conscious I will need to email them for a practice test soon as the deadline to complete the test is early morning on Friday. Thanks!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam I would also appreciate your input as well. I am just conscious I will need to email them for a practice test soon as the deadline to complete the test is early morning on Friday. Thanks!

Hiya @pleasepleaseplease

@Jessica Booker might have a different view on this, but I don’t think this is something that would count against you. In my experience, firms generally want candidates to be able to complete their assessments without technical barriers getting in the way.

I'd definitely encourage you to get in touch with the recruitment team. I wouldn’t worry too much about whether this reflects badly on you, because it seems to be a technical issue rather than anything to do with attention to detail, and it’s not clear why you’re unable to access the test now. You can keep your message to them simple: just let them know that you’ve been trying to access the test but haven’t had any success, and ask whether they know what might be causing the issue or if it’s possible to receive a new link. It’s best to reach out as soon as possible so they have time to resolve it for you.

Best of luck with the Watson Glaser!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam I would also appreciate your input as well. I am just conscious I will need to email them for a practice test soon as the deadline to complete the test is early morning on Friday. Thanks!

I don't think this will work against you but I just think it maybe that the firm might not be able to reset the practice test or may not pick up the email before Friday.

You may want to try accessing the practice test either from another device or clearing your cookies to see if that allows you to take the test that way.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hiya @pleasepleaseplease

@Jessica Booker might have a different view on this, but I don’t think this is something that would count against you. In my experience, firms generally want candidates to be able to complete their assessments without technical barriers getting in the way.

I'd definitely encourage you to get in touch with the recruitment team. I wouldn’t worry too much about whether this reflects badly on you, because it seems to be a technical issue rather than anything to do with attention to detail, and it’s not clear why you’re unable to access the test now. You can keep your message to them simple: just let them know that you’ve been trying to access the test but haven’t had any success, and ask whether they know what might be causing the issue or if it’s possible to receive a new link. It’s best to reach out as soon as possible so they have time to resolve it for you.

Best of luck with the Watson Glaser!

I don't think this will work against you but I just think it maybe that the firm might not be able to reset the practice test or may not pick up the email before Friday.

You may want to try accessing the practice test either from another device or clearing your cookies to see if that allows you to take the test that way.

Thanks both for your advice. I tried clearing cookies and accessing from a different device but it didn't work so I have emailed them. If I don't get a response from them soon enough, I will just simply do the test.

 

[Chris Brown]

Thanks both for your advice. I tried clearing cookies and accessing from a different device but it didn't work so I have emailed them. If I don't get a response from them soon enough, I will just simply do the test.

If you can’t access the Freshfields specific practice test you could use other practice tests instead before doing the actual WGT. I have quoted a post by @Andrei Radu that has some listed examples below which I hope could be useful.

Hi @theonecompetant I will list bellow some of the psychometric test resources I have found.

For free WG practice tests, see:

• Clifford Chance Free Practice Test
• The Lawyer Portal Free Practice Test
• Pearson Free Practice Test
• Practice Aptitude Tests Free Practice Test
• Assessment Day Free Practice Test

For free SJT practice tests, see:

• A list with multiple links to free SJT tests
• Lawtests free SJT test
• Assessment Day free SJT test
• A useful Lawyer Poral article breaking down SJTs

For WG/SJT/other tests resources available on a subscription/fee basis, look at:

• TCLA's excellent course on the WG test
• Practice Aptitude Tests full subscription packages