• Are you a future trainee?

    We're hiring at TCLA. Apply by midnight on 25 February 2025.

    Apply Now

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,086
21,007
Hi! Does anybody know which the fourth pillar of the SJT for PW is (aside from numerical, verbal reasoning and applied intellect)?
The pillars are not the elements of the exercise like the numerical and verbal reasoning. The pillars are more the competencies that are being assessed and are as follows:

IMG_0040.png
 

wqueens8

Star Member
Jun 28, 2024
47
61
What do the numbers mean!? Is high in one good? Is equalising all of them better? Is a 9 and a 1 better than a 6 and a 3? Why is amberjack so vague on what anything means 😞
I have no real information, but from what I've seen on here higher is better of course, but I suspect there might be a benchmark of a certain level in each section, this might vary with firms though I'm not sure. I also think it is one of those tests where it's impossible to score very highly in all sections. The highest I've seen here was like 9, 8, 5, 6 or something, never seen all of them high high. So if that's true I guess some amount of equalisation is better?

This is entirely speculation though lol, so don't read too much into it
 

Kakaboo

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Dec 5, 2024
57
63
I’ve done a cappfinity assessment and my highest was growth mindset and personal responsibility and my lowest was relationship manager. Is this any good? Also does this mean I did ok on the WG style questions? Sorry I just really love this firm!
 

MaryAra299

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2025
20
27
Just did the PW SJT:

Top for verbal, middle for numerical but mixed feelings about the pillars-7,7,6,1 lmao. 1 being applied intellect 💀Never scored so low for empathy/collaboration in other tests so feeling like I’ve bombed this one 😭 On the plus side, the scores are much better compared to the Reed Smith one I did a few weeks back… feeling argh!

If Paul from Paul, Weiss is watching from a distance.. I promise you I’m very friendly, collaborative and have a heart!! 😂😭
Hey, I got the exact same feedback word to word tbh. Top for verbal, average for numerical with some emphasis on being more collaborative
 

coolpanda

Active Member
Dec 27, 2024
15
17
What was that Paul Weiss assessment - I couldn't find much practice material for the SJT. Excelled highly in numeric and verbal but got 3 3 1 7 (Grit, Applied Intellect, Creative Force, Digital Mindset). Was I meant to balance my approach to the SJT questions where I prioritised different pillars across the test? In that case, it would vary a lot from IB SJTs. God SJTs are only valid when you can talk through things properly in an interview. Not this weird guesswork.
Much prefer being given a maths or Watson Glaser test.
 

MaryAra299

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2025
20
27
What was that Paul Weiss assessment - I couldn't find much practice material for the SJT. Excelled highly in numeric and verbal but got 3 3 1 7 (Grit, Applied Intellect, Creative Force, Digital Mindset). Was I meant to balance my approach to the SJT questions where I prioritised different pillars across the test? In that case, it would vary a lot from IB SJTs. God SJTs are only valid when you can talk through things properly in an interview. Not this weird guesswork.
Much prefer being given a maths or Watson Glaser test.
Same here. This amberjack test doesn't help, if anything it makes matters worse. If the employers rely heavily on that rather than their own analyzation and judgement, its going be terrible. I got 6 3 4 4. I think I probably bombed with these scores while I excelled verbal, but I am just as confused as everyone else about how these scores will be analysed. Maybe, only time can tell.
 
  • Like
  • 🤝
Reactions: shana and Chris Brown

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
597
1,310
What was that Paul Weiss assessment - I couldn't find much practice material for the SJT. Excelled highly in numeric and verbal but got 3 3 1 7 (Grit, Applied Intellect, Creative Force, Digital Mindset). Was I meant to balance my approach to the SJT questions where I prioritised different pillars across the test? In that case, it would vary a lot from IB SJTs. God SJTs are only valid when you can talk through things properly in an interview. Not this weird guesswork.
Much prefer being given a maths or Watson Glaser test.
Same here. This amberjack test doesn't help, if anything it makes matters worse. If the employers rely heavily on that rather than their own analyzation and judgement, it’s going be terrible. I got 6 3 4 4. I think I probably bombed with these scores while I excelled verbal and numerical both, but I am just as confused as everyone else about how these scores will be analysed. Maybe, only time can tell.
Seeing these experiences of the Paul, Weiss test is legit scaring me now. 🥲🥲

I’m going to try and do it tomorrow but at this point I’m going to have to expect the worst because it sounds as though it’s really bad. 😂💀
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
597
1,310
People who have moved forward with Paul, Weiss past their SJT stage - can you please share your uni module grades? Thanks!
I’m not sure if anyone rly knows yet whether they have passed or failed the SJT and been invited to the virtual AC. I imagine Paul, Weiss will review applications again alongside test scores and shortlist those that have been successful for the virtual AC. 🙂🙂
 
  • ℹ️
  • Like
Reactions: zq522 and The-PFO-Collector

MaryAra299

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2025
20
27
Seeing these experiences of the Paul, Weiss test is legit scaring me now. 🥲🥲

I’m going to try and do it tomorrow but at this point I’m going to have to expect the worst because it sounds as though it’s really bad. 😂💀
It's not like bad. I mean even if you answer all the scenarios correctly or get most of them correct you could still score low on those 4 pillars based on your choices even if they are the correct ones and your efficiency while answering. I know these don't make sense at all but it is what it is and also basing this on our speed and efficiency is quite non-sensical in my opinion because we have to watch the instructions video and get ads every now and then while answering which yes we can skip but it takes a bit time to do so and there are numerical reasoning which itself takes a lot more time and trust me they are no primary school or secondary school type maths not even trainee level maths, those are like proper associate level figures (atleast that's what I felt like), not particularly very difficult but a lot time consuming and needs proper attention. But just take the test with a positive mind and hope for the best.
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
597
1,310
It's not like bad. I mean even if you answer all the scenarios correctly or get most of them correct you could still score low on those 4 pillars based on your choices even if they are the correct ones and your efficiency while answering. I know these don't make sense at all but it is what it is and also basing this on our speed and efficiency is quite non-sensical in my opinion because we have to watch the instructions video and get ads every now and then while answering which yes we can skip but it takes a bit time to do so and there are numerical reasoning which itself takes a lot more time and trust me they are no primary school or secondary school type maths not even trainee level maths, those are like proper associate level figures (atleast that's what I felt like), not particularly very difficult but a lot time consuming and needs proper attention. But just take the test with a positive mind and hope for the best.
That’s what I find with these kinds of tests is that they are so unpredictable. 🥲

I have had mixed results with SJTs in the past. I passed the benchmark for HSF but then I didn’t even reach the benchmark for BCLP. 😂

I guess I will find out tomorrow when I actually take the test. Not looking forward to the maths I barely passed it at GCSE. 💀
 

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.