TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Chen0106

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Jan 22, 2023
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Hi everyone. Could anyone did the Dechert VI kindly explain whether the VI questions give unlimited time for preparation? Also, is the time for recording of each interview question limited to 2 mins? How many questions are there in total? Will competency questions included?
Much appreciated!
 

LegallyBrown

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  • Jun 20, 2023
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    Hi everyone. Could anyone did the Dechert VI kindly explain whether the VI questions give unlimited time for preparation? Also, is the time for recording of each interview question limited to 2 mins? How many questions are there in total? Will competency questions included?
    Much appreciated!
    hey, no the time for preparation was capped (I think 45 seconds) and I can’t remember how long it was for answering sorry but 2 mins sounds about right.

    Also, shortlist has a good practice assessment on their website - it really helped calm my nerves beforehand.
     

    Chen0106

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    Jan 22, 2023
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    hey, no the time for preparation was capped (I think 45 seconds) and I can’t remember how long it was for answering sorry but 2 mins sounds about right.

    Also, shortlist has a good practice assessment on their website - it really helped calm my nerves beforehand.
    Thank you so much! The practice assessment tip is invaluable!
     

    HLL

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    Mar 26, 2021
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    Wondering how many marks people get out of Simmons' online test? I got a low percentage for some of the areas but thought the test wasn't super difficult. Would be gutted to have made the effort for 4 vi questions only to find out I failed the benchmark for the test part haha
     
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    LegallyBrown

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  • Jun 20, 2023
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    Thank you so much! The practice assessment tip is invaluable!
    Yep, I would suggest taking note of the marking criteria during the practice assessment. They run through what your answers should incorporate.

    Although it may not be relevant to Dechert’s VI, as the practice is more competency based instead of motivational, I would say it definitely helps with approaching VIs in general.

    It may not be applicable to other online test providers but I think it’s useful to know regardless.

    P.S - for anyone that wants to try this, the practice can be found on shortlist.me
     
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    axelbeugre

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    Does anyone have advice on how to approach Goodwin's application questions?
    100 words for the 'why commercial law' or 'why Goodwin' doesn't seem enough to add detail to the answer.

    Do you have any advice @axelbeugre ?
    Hey @Aga123+'

    I totally agree with you, the word count is a bit daunting but it is basically asking you to be succinct and go straight to the point, which I guess is one of the main skills as a lawyer.

    What I did was:
    • Pick two reasons why I was interested in Goodwin, whether it is its focus on technology, or life sciences, but also their initiatives regarding D,E & I. When you chose your two reasons, spend 50 words for each, describing them and link them (very briefly) to your background and experiences to substantiate why these factors of interest to you specifically. I talked about the focus on technology, which I am very interested in, and linked it back to an internship I did at a fintech company. Secondly, I talked about their diversity initiatives and goals which I really resonated with and linked them to my background.
    • For the Why commercial law, I succinctly explained why I am interested in it with a personal anecdote and subsequently I linked it with an experience I had at a law firm and during an internship. The word count pushes you to go straight to the point, so make sure to immediately touch upon the crucial reasons as to why you decided to become a commercial lawyer and try to draw from your personal/professional experiences and I am sure you will do great!
    • For the commercial news questions, just pick something that interests you and that you are genuinely able to tackle about as these could come up during the interview. I would make sure to link the topics to Goodwin in some way, shape or form if you can but this is not essential. I chose to talk about technology in one and sustainability in the other and I was able to connect both to Goodwin and I think that that worked really well.
    I hope these tips are useful and good luck with the application! Goodwin is great and I am not saying it only because I have a TC there! ;)
     

    benxi

    Standard Member
    Oct 20, 2023
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    Hi! To the extent you are able to share, are the questions all strengths-based as stated on the website? I did the VI last year and I was asked firm-specific questions too. I also had 1 minute to answer the question instead of 45 seconds!
    I did mine this week and had 1 minute to answer and 30 seconds to read each question (still 3 questions tho)
     

    Flutterbyx303

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    Sep 11, 2023
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    Wondering how many marks people get out of Simmons' online test? I got a low percentage for some of the areas but thought the test wasn't super difficult. Would be gutted to have made the effort for 4 vi questions only to find out I failed the benchmark for the test part haha
    I did mine today. I scored ok in everything apart from self management so prioritising tasks! The assessment was very SJT/verbal/numerical heavy! Not as many video questions as I thought…
     
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    F12M34L

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  • Apr 28, 2022
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    I did mine today. I scored ok in everything apart from self management so prioritising tasks! The assessment was very SJT/verbal/numerical heavy! Not as many video questions as I thought…
    I received a low score in self-management, which is puzzling to me because I consider myself an organised individual who cannot operate without prioritising tasks. I hope that those who scored higher than 4/5 in their competencies are the ones who advance, as this is a potential assessment, and the rules should be adhered to.
     

    axelbeugre

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    Any advice on written tasks? Thanks in advance.
    Hey @Tintin06,
    I only had one written exercise which was a case study which we had to read and answer 5 questions on it.
    Some tips that I have are:
    1. Make sure to read over the written material at least twice if time allows it. The first time you are familiarising yourself with the content and the general topic of the test. The second reading is more focused and it is meant for you to clearly identify the key players or facts of the case.
    2. Answer the questions provided succinctly and precisely, without waffling too much. These written exercises are a way for you to show your time management and conciseness skills, which are very important as future lawyers.
    3. Do not repeat yourself twice when answering a question or a prompt and analyse the topic, the case or whatever you are given from different angles if that helps to actively reflect on the subject matter and come to an intelligent conclusion.
    4. If you have to draft an email, make sure that you use all the formalities necessary to address your audience. A lot of points are missed because people tend to disregard the basics, so make sure that you have paid enough attention to the basics.
    I hope these tips are useful and good luck!
     

    nya

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  • Jan 31, 2023
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    No it’s an email 😭😭😭😭😭

    Edit: the mistake is the subject line and the body of the text 🫠
    Maybe re-send the email this time with the correct spelling in the subject line and text? You can always play off the first email as a mistakenly sent first draft and the second as the 'official' email, I think this might be better than not doing anything at all.
     
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