Handling Tight Time Constraints in Case Studies at Assessment Centres
As competition for vacation schemes and training contracts become ever-fiercer, top international commercial law firms are increasingly turning to time-pressed case studies as the go-to tool to whittle down prospective trainee solicitors to the cream of the crop. At the most extreme end, you might be required by some firms to read and process a 60+ page document pack and deliver an oral presentation plus Q&A - all within the space of 1.5 hours!
Rather than viewing this as something to fear, through implementing the insider tips we share in this article, you’ll be able to reframe this as a golden opportunity to show off your deep preparation, and to stand out from other candidates through demonstrating your ability to think methodically but quickly, prioritise effectively, and deliver under pressure.
1. Methodical Preparation Over Time
Greatness can’t be rushed. If you can, dedicate time in the 2-3 months in the run-up to AC season (even before you submit written applications!) to start easing yourself into complex legal, commercial & financial concepts and internalising the jargon that comes with the territory. The best way to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by detail is to adopt a relational approach to preparation: that is, before you dive into any specific term, first closely study the birds’ eye view/table of contents of the entire practice area in order to orient yourself and enable yourself to understand how each concept relates to each other within the bigger picture. To help you with this, we have a free suite of cribsheets (under the Free Resources tab) to help you get a solid grasp of each practice area (e.g. Corporate/M&A, Finance etc) before you attempt to deep dive into every segment.
2. Understand the Task Requirements
Clarify Objectives: Before diving into the case study, ensure you fully understand the task requirements. Quickly skim through the instructions and identify the key deliverables. Too many good candidates let themselves down by answering questions that weren’t asked!
Identify Priorities: Determine which aspects of the task are most critical. Focus on these elements first to ensure that the most important parts are completed within the time limit.
3. Time Management
Set Time Limits: Allocate specific time blocks for reading, planning, writing, and reviewing. Stick to these limits to ensure you cover all necessary components of the task.
Use a Watch: Bring a digital watch to keep track of time without relying on your phone, which should remain silent and out of sight.
4. Efficient Reading and Note-Taking
Skim and Highlight: Quickly skim the material to get an overview, then go back to highlight key points. Use different coloured highlighters for pros and cons to easily identify them later.
Structured Notes: Organise your notes in a structured manner, such as using bullet points or a mind map, to make it easier to reference them while writing.
5. Planning and Structuring
You should not be attempting to drill down into any one point (or writing out your written response in prose) without first having meticulously planned and having arrived at a clear structure for your entire response.
Outline Your Response: Spend a few minutes outlining your response before you start writing. A clear structure will help you stay focused and ensure that your argument flows logically.
Use Repeatable Formulas/Frameworks: Employ (but adapt) the Executive Summary - Considerations - Challenges/Solution - Next Steps framework, detailed in this article.
6. Communicating Clearly Under Pressure
Focus on Clarity: Write/Speak clearly and concisely. Avoid overly complex sentences that could lead to errors or misunderstandings.
Prioritise Content Over Perfection: Aim to cover all key points rather than perfecting each sentence. If time is running out, ensure you’ve addressed every point, even if briefly.
7. Reviewing and Refining
Allocate Time for Review: Reserve the last few minutes to review your work. If your response is written, check for any glaring errors in spelling, grammar, or logic.
Make Quick Corrections: Focus on correcting major issues that could affect the clarity or accuracy of your response.
8. Practice and Preparation
Mock Exercises: Practise with mock case studies under timed conditions to get used to working under pressure. We have a catalogue of case studies (under the Catalogue tab) to help you practise.
Feedback and Reflection: After practice sessions, seek feedback and reflect on areas for improvement. Understand your strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for the actual assessment.
