The Shocking Truth About Law Firm Assessment Centre Written Tests – And How to Ace Them!

Nov 30, 2023

Written By Ben Ffrancon Dowds

The written test is a critical part of any law firm’s selection process. Drafting legal documents is a solicitor’s bread and butter, so firms want to find out whether you can write like a lawyer. Whether you’re looking for preparation strategies or tips for time management, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out how to ace your written tests, from how to hone your writing skills to uncovering exactly what firms are looking for.

Types of written tests in law firm assessment centres

The three most common types of written test are case studies, legal analysis and problem-solving exercises:

Case studies

If you get a case study, you’ll likely be given some documents to review and then asked to either produce a memo summarising the documents for a senior colleague or to draft a response to the client or the other side. They’ll want to see that you can write for your intended audience clearly, concisely and precisely, so brush up on those writing skills.

Legal analysis

You might instead be asked to carry out some legal analysis, but don’t panic, they know that not everyone applying will have studied law yet. They might ask you to interpret some legislation, a judgement or a contract. They’re not testing your legal knowledge here: they want to find out whether you can think logically when analysing information.

To prepare for a legal analysis test, try reading some legislation or part of a judgement or contract and making notes about what it means.

Problem-solving exercises

You may be given some problem-solving exercises. You might be asked to come up with some solutions alone and then discuss them with a team. This is your chance to show that you can not only solve problems creatively, but you can do so under pressure and in collaboration with others.

To get yourself ready, look online for practice exercises. Be aware of the firm’s practice areas and look for exercises that present relevant problems.

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Decoding the evaluation process

So, what are law firms looking for in your written tests? Written communication is a key skill for any lawyer, so firms want to single out candidates who can write with clarity, conciseness and precision. They’re also looking for people with excellent spelling and grammar who can digest, analyse and summarise information efficiently and accurately.

You’ll need to strike a balance between the depth of your analysis and effective time management – be sure to leave yourself enough time to proofread your response.

Preparing strategically for law firm assessment centre written tests

You need a strategy to prepare for these tests. Follow these steps to make the most of your practice:

Extensively research the firm and its practice areas.
Practise summarising information.
Practise research-based questions.
Pay particular attention to your time management.
If you’re still a student, use your university’s careers service.

The firm might have information on its website about what to expect from its written tests or you can ask the recruitment team. Use this information to tailor your practice so you ace it on the day.

Common pitfalls to avoid in written tests

First and foremost, make sure you read everything – every word is there for a reason. Avoid ambiguity in your writing, stay focused on the task at hand and leave yourself enough time for proofreading.

Again, doing practice tests will help you to learn how to avoid these common mistakes. Look over your practice answers with a critical eye, looking out for these errors.

Developing strong legal writing skills

There are four key elements to strong legal writing: clarity, precision, conciseness, and writing appropriately for your audience. Develop these skills and you’ll be well on your way to acing any written test thrown your way.

Managing time effectively during written Tests

There will be a time limit and it’s likely to be tight: the firm will want to see how you work under the time pressures lawyers face on a daily basis.

Use your time wisely – you may be able to find out the time limit in advance, so you can plan how you’ll divide up that time between planning, drafting and proofreading your response.

Practising with sample written tests

Practice makes perfect, so make sure you get plenty of it – make your assessment centre prep part of your study routine. To get some practice, try reading part of a case or judgement and summarising it or look online for sample tests.

Unmasking the shocking truths: what you didn’t know about written tests

Law firms are not trying to catch you out; they want to see how you’ll cope with the type of tasks that you’ll be doing day in day out as a trainee. They want to see that you’ll be able to learn how to draft legal documents using appropriate language for your audience, whether that’s a client or senior colleague.

You’ll be against the clock so effective time management is crucial. You need to write efficiently: learn to work quickly but accurately.

Don’t forget to ask for feedback. If you didn’t quite make the cut in one assessment centre, learning from your mistakes (and knowing what you did well) is the key to future success.

Conclusion: acing the written tests and securing your place in a law firm

So, now you know what you’re up against, get yourself ready to smash those written tests. Use these tips and tricks to approach the test with confidence, and always bear in mind exactly what each firm is looking for.

With the right prep and practice, you’ll ace the written test and find yourself one step closer to securing your place at your dream law firm.

Selection & Assessment