The application process is composed of three parts: online application form, Watson Glaser test, and a half day in person assessment. The application form is very straightforward with the main question being a cover letter. The key purpose is to understand your motivations in why you want to pursue this career, your reasoning for applying to Freshfields, and what differentiates you as an individual. The Watson Glaser test is a standard test that is administered by a third party. It is completed online in your own time. It's possible to find many online practice tests for this and prepare fully. The assessment centre has three parts: written assessment, competency interview, commercial interview. - The written assessment is fairly straightforward with clear instructions and enough time to do a fair amount of what is asked. During my assessment there were several 'fake' emails to review with all the information required contained within them. - The competency interview is very relaxed. The interviewers are trying to understand who you are as a person. It did not feel very structured and we took a detour or two. It was clear that the interviewers had certain questions they had to ask but it wasn't a rigid or stressful experience. There were a few situational questions ("what would you do if X happened...") that did not have a right or wrong answer. I felt very comfortable by the end of the process that I had gotten my personality across. (There was a break between the competency and commercial interview in which a current trainee gave an office tour.) - The commercial interview is a blind interview (the interviewers do not know anything about you other than your name). Before this interview started I had about 20-30 minutes to read an article. We discussed the article during the interview but at times moved away from the article to related topics. The interview felt more like a discussion where the interviewers contributed equally. The entire experience was very pleasant overall. I heard back within 3-4 working days after the assessment centre. It feels like the interviewers are looking for reasons to give you an offer rather than dismiss you. It says a lot about the culture of the firm!