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If you’re applying for training contracts at commercial law firms, there’s one hurdle you’re almost guaranteed to face: the assessment centre. For many students, it’s the most intimidating part of the entire recruitment process, and understandably so. A full day of exercises, interviews, tests and group work can feel overwhelming.

The good news? Assessment centres are far less mysterious once you understand what firms are actually looking for. They’re not trying to trip you up or test obscure legal knowledge. Instead, they’re trying to answer one simple question: what would you be like as a trainee in our firm?

Let’s break down what typically happens on the day, and how you can stand out for the right reasons.

The written case study: think clearly, not legally

One of the most common exercises you’ll face is a written task, often based on a client scenario. This might look like a mini case study, a memo or even a draft email to a client. It usually has a commercial angle and may be inspired by real work the firm has done.

If you’re a non-law student, don’t panic. Firms are not expecting encyclopaedic legal knowledge. What they care about is how you approach a problem. Can you identify the key issues? Can you structure your thoughts logically? Can you communicate clearly and concisely?

Commercial awareness matters here. Regularly reading business and legal news, not obsessively, but consistently, will help you develop an instinct for how businesses operate and what clients care about. When writing, follow the brief closely, stick to the word count, and explain why you’ve reached your conclusions. Clear reasoning beats fancy language every time.

Group exercises: collaboration over competition

Few things strike fear into candidates quite like group exercises. But here’s the reality: assessors aren’t watching to see who talks the most. They’re watching to see how you work with others.

Group tasks often involve negotiations or problem-solving scenarios with a commercial focus. Your goal isn’t to dominate the room, it’s to help the group function well. That means listening actively, inviting quieter participants to contribute, managing time effectively and building on other people’s ideas.

Confidence matters, but so does restraint. You don’t need to speak constantly to make an impression. Thoughtful contributions, good questions and a positive attitude go a long way. If teamwork genuinely terrifies you, it might be worth getting more practice through debating societies, workshops or mock assessment centres before the real thing.

Psychometric tests: practice really does help

Many assessment centres include verbal or numerical reasoning tests. These aren’t about tricking you, they’re designed to assess skills you’ll use daily as a solicitor, like interpreting information, drawing logical conclusions and working accurately under time pressure.

The key here is familiarity. There are lots of different test formats, and the more you practise, the more confident you’ll feel. Trying sample tests in advance helps you understand timing, question styles and common pitfalls. You’re not expected to be perfect, but preparation can make a noticeable difference.

Informal moments still count

Lunch with trainees. A coffee break. An office tour. These parts of the day may feel relaxed, but don’t switch off completely. You’re still being observed, just in a more natural setting.

This is a great opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the firm, the culture and trainee life. Be friendly, engaged and professional. Avoid overly personal or inappropriate questions and remember that how you treat everyone, not just partners and interviewers, matters.

The interview: sell your story

Most assessment days include an interview, either with one assessor or a panel. By this stage, the firm already likes you, the interview is about confirming that you’re a good fit.

Preparation is crucial. Revisit your application, practise competency-based questions and have examples ready that demonstrate your skills. Keep up with current business and legal developments so you’re not caught off guard.

Unexpected questions do come up, but they’re usually designed to see how you think under pressure. Take a moment, breathe and answer honestly. Interviewers are far more interested in your reasoning than in a ‘perfect’ response.

Presentations: an opportunity in disguise

Presentations can appear at various points during the day, sometimes individually and sometimes as part of a group task. You may have hours, days or just minutes to prepare.

The secret? Understand why you’ve been given the task. How does it relate to the firm, its clients or the wider market? Use preparation time wisely, speak clearly and aim to engage your audience rather than impress them with jargon.

If questions follow, stay calm. Interviewers often push candidates slightly outside their comfort zone, it’s not a trap, just part of the assessment.

In-tray exercises: welcome to trainee life

In-tray exercises are designed to simulate the reality of working in a law firm. You’ll be given a stack of emails, memos, reports or messages and asked to decide what to do with them.

This tests prioritisation, judgement, organisation and time management. You may need to draft responses, summarise information or make recommendations. Accuracy matters, especially spelling and grammar, but so does staying calm under pressure.

Approach the task systematically, keep your work organised and focus on producing a high standard rather than rushing through everything.

How to prepare (and actually feel ready)

You can’t prepare for every possible scenario but you can reduce uncertainty. You can start to prepare by:

• research the firm thoroughly, not just cases, but culture, clients and values;
• re-read your application and knowing your motivations inside out;
• building commercial awareness gradually, not the night before;
• using careers services, workshops and practice tests;
• planning logistics carefully so stress doesn’t start before the day does.

On the day itself, dress professionally, arrive early and keep going even if one exercise doesn’t go as planned. Everyone has wobbles, resilience is part of what’s being assessed.

What firms really want

Ultimately, assessment centres are about potential, not perfection. Firms want to see how you communicate, collaborate, analyse problems and cope under pressure. They’re asking themselves whether they can train you, trust you with clients and see you developing within their team.

Be yourself, but your professional self. Show enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn. If you do that, you’ll already be ahead of the pack.