TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
580
1,327
Seems, the firm basically owns you. It makes sense given the salary. It helps to have a goal. If you want to buy a house.
Sorry can someone help me answer these - i have got most wrong on this one.

All intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service. No normal pupil is intelligent. Therefore: Proposed Conclusions:

No member of a diplomatic service is a normal pupil.
Every intelligent pupil takes an active role in the service.
The normal pupil cannot be an active member of a diplomatic service.
Some members of a diplomatic service are abnormal pupils.
I think Conclusion Follows; Conclusion Follows; Conclusion Does Not Follow; Conclusion Does Not Follow. What's the answer?
 

ashwright

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
  • Jul 10, 2023
    53
    61
    Sorry can someone help me answer these - i have got most wrong on this one.

    All intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service. No normal pupil is intelligent. Therefore: Proposed Conclusions:

    No member of a diplomatic service is a normal pupil.
    Every intelligent pupil takes an active role in the service.
    The normal pupil cannot be an active member of a diplomatic service.
    Some members of a diplomatic service are abnormal pupils.
    I am far from a Watson Glaser professional but I shall share my two pence (partly as practice!)

    WARNING - this lengthy response might be entirely wrong; if so, I apologise in advance and would appreciate any corrections.

    Statements -
    All intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service. No normal pupil is intelligent. Therefore:
    When approaching the statements, I like to start by (1.) doing a venn diagram and/or (2.) taking the contrapositive.
    Statement 1: All intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service.
    With this statement, you learn two things: (1.) there's a class (aka group) of people called 'members of a diplomatic service'. (2.) all intelligent pupils are part of that class. This is a good statement to do a venn diagram for - big circle is the class - 'members of a diplomatic service'; within this circle, draw a circle to represent members - 'all intelligent pupils'.

    Statement 2: No normal pupil is intelligent.
    With this, I like taking the contrapositive - this is a fancy way of flipping the statement back-to-front, then negating whatever was positive and vice-versa. It's a good thing to do - I definitely encourage having a look into it if you haven't. The contrapositive would be - "All intelligent pupils are not normal pupils". This is your learning number three.

    Putting these three 'learnings' together, you can now attack the conclusions pretty quickly because you've got a better understanding.

    Proposed Conclusion 1 - No member of a diplomatic service is a normal pupil.
    Here, I like to look at learning 1+2 (or just statement 1) - the only thing you know is that intelligent people ARE part of the class of 'members of a diplomatic service'. Now, we do know that per learning 3, intelligent students are not normal. BUT - there is nothing stating that intelligent people are the ONLY people who are part of the diplomatic service; we know nothing about who else might be part of that class. In other words, the class is not specified as being exclusive to intelligent pupils - there may well be be normal people + intelligent pupils. Therefore, the proposed conclusion DOES NOT follow.

    Proposed Conclusion 2 - Every intelligent pupil takes an active role in the service.
    Immediately, one word should jump out - 'active'. Even if the sentence is true regardless of that adjective, the word is not used in the statements therefore we know nothing about it. Therefore, DOES NOT follow.

    Proposed Conclusion 3 - The normal pupil cannot be an active member of a diplomatic service.
    See my response to Proposed Conclusion 2

    Proposed Conclusion 4 - Some members of a diplomatic service are abnormal pupils.
    Look at Statement 1 again. We know that all intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service. We also know, from taking the contrapositive of Statement 2, that all intelligent pupils are not normal. Therefore, since all intelligent pupils are abnormal + all intelligent pupils are members of the diplomatic service, we can say that conclusion FOLLOWS.

    Fun thing to remember about the Watson Glaser - words like 'some' do not have their everyday meaning. When we normally say 'some', we just mean a portion of a whole. In the Watson Glaser, 'some' can mean everything from 1 to everything. So, even if the only people who comprised the diplomatic service were intelligent pupils, proposed conclusion 4 would still follow, given that 'some' can mean 'all'.
     

    AlarmedBookkeeper448

    Star Member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 18, 2019
    32
    27
    Sorry can someone help me answer these - i have got most wrong on this one.

    All intelligent pupils are members of a diplomatic service. No normal pupil is intelligent. Therefore: Proposed Conclusions:

    No member of a diplomatic service is a normal pupil.
    Every intelligent pupil takes an active role in the service.
    The normal pupil cannot be an active member of a diplomatic service.
    Some members of a diplomatic service are abnormal pupils.
    what section was this for - deductions or interpretation?
     

    j3llyfish

    Standard Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 8, 2022
    8
    10
    Just did my CMS VI and was calm during preparation but my heart started beating at 200bpm once the video interview started and I WAS NERVOUS AND STUTTERING 😭😭 Im so disappointed but onto the next ig.. hope they don't long out my PFO

    Anyone have any tips on the nerves? I feel super confident before but during I lose my composure instantly
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    172
    327
    Still in time to apply for Bird & Bird VS? As they are rolling?

    Hi @axele :)

    Yes, there’s definitely still time to apply. While Bird & Bird does review applications on a rolling basis, their vacation scheme deadline isn’t until 19th December. Many firms tend to receive the bulk of their applications closer to the deadline, so don't fret yet!

    I'd recommend taking some time to think carefully about how you want to approach your application, and if possible, ask a couple of people to review it for you before submitting. Put your best foot forward and you'll be great!
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    172
    327
    Just did my CMS VI and was calm during preparation but my heart started beating at 200bpm once the video interview started and I WAS NERVOUS AND STUTTERING 😭😭 Im so disappointed but onto the next ig.. hope they don't long out my PFO

    Anyone have any tips on the nerves? I feel super confident before but during I lose my composure instantly


    Heya @j3llyfish :)

    I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the video interview, but don’t be too hard on yourself. I'd keep in mind that recruiters aren’t just focussed on your delivery; they’re also paying close attention to the content and structure of your answers. A friend of mine had a similar experience. They struggled with nerves and a stutter during video interviews but still managed to progress to the next stages with several firms. So it's still very possible to get through!

    One thing that really helps with these interviews is practising your responses to common types of questions, like motivational, competency, and commercial awareness questions, until your answers feel almost instinctive. The more familiar you are with the content, the less you’ll need to focus on recalling your points in the moment, which can help calm your nerves. I’d also recommend avoiding using a detailed script, as I think this almost always makes applicants feel greater pressure to remember every word of their script. Instead, try jotting down key prompts or phrases to help you stay on track without losing the natural flow of your answer. Good luck with your next video interview. You’ve got every reason to feel super confident throughout and not just at the beginning of video interviews!
     
    Last edited:
    • Like
    Reactions: EK_27 and j3llyfish

    j3llyfish

    Standard Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 8, 2022
    8
    10
    Heya @j3llyfish :)

    I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the video interview, but don’t be too hard on yourself. I'd keep in mind that recruiters aren’t just focusing on your delivery; they’re also paying close attention to the content and structure of your answers. A friend of mine had a similar experience. They struggled with nerves and a stutter during video interviews but still managed to progress to the next stages with several firms. So it's still very possible to get through!

    One thing that really helps with these interviews is practising your responses to common types of questions, like motivational, competency, and commercial awareness questions, until your answers feel almost instinctive. The more familiar you are with the content, the less you’ll need to focus on recalling your points in the moment, which can help calm your nerves. I’d also recommend avoiding using a detailed script, as I think this almost always makes applicants feel greater pressure to remember every word of their script. Instead, try jotting down key prompts or phrases to help you stay on track without losing the natural flow of your answer. Good luck with your next video interview. You’ve got every reason to feel super confident throughout and not just at the beginning of video interviews!
    Thanks for the positivity (altho I like to assume the worst to lessen the blow lol) and tips! I stay away from scripts anyway so I think my issue is just anxiety, you're completely right that preparation helps w/ that. Going to keep this in mind for the next VI I do.

    It's frustrating to have 1 min to answer a question that is usually 500 words in an application form 😞😔A follow up question - Do you recommend having 3 points for 'why law' for example that are brief or 2 more in-depth ones? I find I really struggle to fit 3 points into an answer without sounding super generic or is a bit more genericness expected for the length of a VI?
     

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.