TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NCTC2025]

Are there any estimates on how long Links takes to reply post-app for summer VS apps? Thank you in advance

Was wondering this too!

 

[Law queries]

Hi! Congratulations!!! I received an invitation for the VI as well. Do you have any tips on how I should prepare for it? Thanks!

Hey congratulations!!! When did you receive the invite and could you please tell me when did you apply? It would be a great help because I still haven’t heard from them

 

[User5678]

On the very first page where it asks whether you've achieved or are on track to achieve a 2:1, the mitigating circumstances section only appears if you click no to that question 😅

I am on track for a 2:1 but my first year grades were impacted so I just mentioned my mitigating circumstances in the “additional info about your degree” box😂

 

[vshunter]

Seems like Mishcon sent an email about transparency that was meant to be sent before the weekend lol

 

[User5678]

Has anyone given the AG test? Any insights about what the test entails will be super helpful

Is it timed? Thanks

 

[User5678]

Probably too early to ask but has anyone given the kennedys test and can provide an insight on what the test entails and whether it’s timed?

Thank you

 

[Amjaya]

I got 21/40 in the linklaters test. Placing me 10% percentile which is heartbreaking. I have been trying my hardest with this test. Can anyone advice what they got and what percentile I should try to reach!! Been practicing this test forever.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Does anyone have an update on the Mishcon vi deadline? I emailed but haven’t gotten a response yet😭

Same man. Some people have mocks and deadlines; these things just help with planning ffs

 

[CallumJR]

I got 21/40 in the linklaters test. Placing me 10% percentile which is heartbreaking. I have been trying my hardest with this test. Can anyone advice what they got and what percentile I should try to reach!! Been practicing this test forever know.

21/40 is more than half of the questions answered correctly. This is not bad!
Probably you are in the 10% because you got a very hard WG test. Don't be disheartened! 😘

 

[murm]

How is everyone preparing for the Skadden written task?

 

[sooae]

I got 21/40 in the linklaters test. Placing me 10% percentile which is heartbreaking. I have been trying my hardest with this test. Can anyone advice what they got and what percentile I should try to reach!! Been practicing this test forever know.

Hey. How did you know? Did you ask them for your scores?

 

[ashwright]

I got 21/40 in the linklaters test. Placing me 10% percentile which is heartbreaking. I have been trying my hardest with this test. Can anyone advice what they got and what percentile I should try to reach!! Been practicing this test forever know.

Heya - firstly, please don't worry. The Watson Glaser is a beast of a test - I detest it (no pun intended!). However, even a lion can be tamed. So, trust me - you can beat this test. You have to remember that your abilities are not fixed - improvement is 100% possible.

The main things which have helped me make a jump from the low 10s to the high 30s:

1. Practice tests. If it's possible, I recommend JobTestPrep. The reason being is that you can spam loads of practice tests on the specific section that you want to work on. If that's not possible, don't worry - try any other practice test. The most important thing isn't really answering the questions correctly - it's more understanding where you went wrong. I find it 10x more helpful to deeply understand my mistakes (and even why I got something right) by reading the explanations.

2. Once you understand the logic of the test, I recommend writing out your own one-page document of the rules for each section in your own words. Use examples to illustrate but try to keep it brief. Making a document that's created by your brain is a powerful learning activity, but it's also the best kind of crib sheet to refer to during the WG.

Also watching YouTube videos can be super helpful - there one which I have especially found helpful. It was recommended to me by the fantastic @andrecsaa and the title of the video was "Full-Length Real Watson Glaser Test SOLVED (40 Questions)" on the Job-Test-Prep Youtube channel.

3. TCLA's Watson Glaser course by Joe Mallet is also fantastic. Again, a nice breakdown of the rules.

If you ever get stuck with a question, feel free to share it on the forum - I and others are always happy to try and get some extra practice in

Above all - you've got this 🫶 ❤️

 

[wqueens8]

Are regional opportunities typically less competitive than in London? 90% of what I'm applying to is only in London, but for some I'm questioning if I should apply to the Manchester office (CMS, Fieldfisher, DLA) In a perfect world, my top choice probably would be London, but I am from near Manchester and would not mind working there, and my number one goal is just to get a training contract. As a less than perfect applicant I'm wondering If I'd stand a better chance in regions? Any thoughts?

 

[RonRod13]

Are regional opportunities typically less competitive than in London? 90% of what I'm applying to is only in London, but for some I'm questioning if I should apply to the Manchester office (CMS, Fieldfisher, DLA) In a perfect world, my top choice probably would be London, but I am from near Manchester and would not mind working there, and my number one goal is just to get a training contract. As a less than perfect applicant I'm wondering If I'd stand a better chance in regions? Any thoughts?

Short answer: yes
Long answer: yessssssssssssssss

 

[hitherelaw]

do firms assess VIs separately to applications, i.e. is the application quality/content no longer considered after the VI

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

do firms assess VIs separately to applications, i.e. is the application quality/content no longer considered after the VI

I think it probably depends on the firm. I imagine lots of them use a combination of both though. I’m 99% sure Willkie, for example, have your written application open as they review your VI
(Or Gemma at least re-reads your application before watching your VI response)

 

[futuretrainee!]

Has anyone given the AG test? Any insights about what the test entails will be super helpful

Is it timed? Thanks

It is timed and I found it rather hard as it is similar to the WG tests. The practice tests are VERY helpful but still challenging. Best of luck!

 

[Tintin06]

Work Experience Section of Application
How does everyone structure their answers in the work experience section of applications? I have been bullet pointing my responsibilities and then writing a few words on what I got out of the role.

Do any of you tie these answers into the firm you're applying to? Or do any of you answer this section any differently? Grateful to get responses from people who have successfully received VS's and TC's.

Ideal answer gives you 250 words. 50 words for a job description. 100 words for a skill gained. Then 100 words for another skill. Adjust the proportions accordingly given limits. For the skills, there's lots actually. Resourcefulness, work organisation and planning etc.

 

[Amjaya]

21/40 is more than half of the questions answered correctly. This is not bad!
Probably you are in the 10% because you got a very hard WG test. Don't be disheartened! 😘

You are absolutely right. Thank you so much.

 

[Amjaya]

Hey. How did you know? Did you ask them for your scores?

I asked for my score.