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A&O
Are you interested in applying for the A&O Shearman 2026 application process and vacation scheme? Here is all you need to know about your A&O assessment test practice and values.
This article offers a complete assessment preparation and practice guide to apply to A&O Shearman jobs and graduate programs at A&O in the UK, US and around the globe.
Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessment tests, interviews and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the A&O test, assessment process and recruitment.
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Not sure about starting your A&O Shearman assessment test practice? Research shows that 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study found that candidates who do not practice assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study examined the Top 100 global employers (Bradley et al., 2019).
In a nutshell:
A&O Shearman online assessment tests often vary depending on the job role you are applying for, and some of them include:
These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates at this stage. The only proven way to get to the next round is to practice.
Prepare for your A&O online assessment test and vacation scheme by practising recording video interviews of yourself and answering typical law interview questions often used by the A&O Shearman recruitment team. Ensure that your speech is fluent and that your responses are succinct and without delay.
To prepare for your A&O online assessment interview, practice using:
Our practice video interview platform contains stimulating and competency-based law firm questions that are specific to your job’s role when taking a mock video interview of yourself ahead of your assessment test set by your employer (HireVue, Sonru, Pymetrics).
When answering the A&O Shearman online test questions, use STAR+R (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection). Repeat your mock video interviews and practice the answers until satisfied with the results.
A&O Shearman encourages the use of virtual assessment centres when recruiting job seekers to prepare for their A&O first-year scheme. These are the two interviews and a written exercise that you will go through during the A&O recruitment process:
Continue reading for more answers to these critical questions:
Click on these links below to begin your A&O Shearman assessment test practice.
Practice Situational Judgement Tests
Practice Verbal Reasoning Tests
Practice Numerical Reasoning Tests
Practice Video Interviews
Prepare for your Assessment Centre
Go Premium with GF and gain access to relevant practice assessments in the table above to help ace your A&O Shearman assessments.
Before we further discuss the A&O Shearman application process, here is a little history you’ll need to know about A&O before applying to this law firm.
A&O Shearman is a British-owned multinational law firm founded by George Allen and Thomas Overy in London in January 1930. The two founders were once partners at Roney & Co. before establishing Allen & Overy, built on loyalty, a tight bond and friendship.
Allen & Overy then merged with Shearman & Sterling in May 2024 and now has 7,000 employees, of which 4,000 are lawyers. Its nearly 800 partners work in 47 offices in 29 countries.
A&O Shearman’s offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America prove it is undeniably conversant with English, US and global law.
Where do candidates often apply to at A&O Shearman? Let’s find out below.
A&O Shearman has a large workforce spread across continents and divisions. Therefore, you can apply to any of these roles that fall within your capabilities in the law firm.
When applying to any of the above areas, it’s essential to understand the A&O values to excel at the A&O Shearman online test and interview stages.
The A&O Shearman values guide employees toward success and global impact. Follow these values to apply for any role at A&O.
Insightful and Unparalleled Service
Every lawyer at A&O Shearman is known for building strong relationships, collaborating seamlessly, and earning trust as advisors.
Collective Experience
A&O clients benefit from the experience of teams that work with influential companies and institutions worldwide, known for their innovations.
Innovative
One of A&O Shearman’s values is its ability to influence its clients’ success and apply the law through creative strategies and new technologies.
Now that we know more about the A&O Shearman values, we can proceed to the next step, which includes completing the application form and starting the A&O online tests.
The A&O Shearman online application form is the first step you take before you continue with your A&O Shearman application process. You will first need to create an account and fill out a form with your details before inputting your credentials, such as your CV, cover letter, transcripts and university certificate.
A&O Shearman Application Form
Source: A&O Careers
A&O’s application forms require a blend of legal understanding, analytical thinking, and passion to stand out from other applicants.
Here are 5 tips to help your application shine:
A&O is open to recruiting university students and recent graduate, as well as experienced professionals who want to pursue a career in the legal industry.
A&O Shearman frequently invite students on track for a 2:1 degree or those with at least AAB (or equivalent) at A-level, alongside 7 GCSEs graded 6 or higher (including Maths and English), to apply.
One thing to note is that you will need to provide precise details when submitting your documents, so it is best to have all the necessary documents ready and references to corroborate their authenticity.
For more tips on how to apply to A&O Shearman, check out our short video:
After you complete your A&O Shearman application form, your recruiters will invite you to take an online assessment.
Keep reading to uncover this next stage of your A&O hiring process!
The A&O Shearman Online Experience is an aptitude test that evaluates your fit at A&O, such as for the A&O vacation scheme role. This A&O Shearman test assesses your skills and intellect through the following components:
Good to Know: For some roles, you may be required to provide video answers to two short motivational interview questions.
The A&O Shearman interactive assessment is estimated to take only 45 minutes to complete the test questions.
Let’s check out what each section of the A&O Shearman online assessment involves, starting with the A&O Shearman situational judgement test.
The A&O situational judgement test assesses your judgment and decision-making skills, revealing how you would react in the future if you are ever presented with scenarios at A&O Shearman, such as the ones suggested in the situational judgement test.
The A&O Shearman SJT is also an opportunity to discover whether you have the correct values to become a perfect employee and whether your values align with A&O.
Check out this one-minute video to learn more about the A&O Shearman situational judgement test.
Here are 6 top tips to best aid you in successfully passing your A&O situational judgement test questions:
Looking to kickstart your A&O Shearman online assessment test practice?
The next section of the A&O Shearman online assessment test you will need to complete is the A&O verbal reasoning test.
Continue reading below to find out what this test is all about.
The A&O Shearman verbal reasoning test assesses your skills in analysing, interpreting and reacting to written texts related to the legal industry. Passing this section of the A&O online assessment is especially key if you are applying for a role in a law firm that relies on verbal and written information.
This short video about verbal reasoning tests can help you understand them.
Are you confident that you are ready to take the A&O Shearman online assessment? If yes, test yourself by taking our example A&O-themed verbal reasoning test question below.
A&O Shearman-style Verbal Reasoning Test Question Example
Think you got it right? Check out the correct answer at the bottom of the page!
You can easily pass the A&O Shearman online verbal reasoning test in 5 steps and they are:
The next step after completing the verbal reasoning test is the A&O Shearman numerical reasoning test. Interested in knowing more? Read on!
The A&O Shearman numerical reasoning test is a series of questions designed to evaluate applicants’ skills in numerical calculations and mathematical problems. Acing this part of the A&O Shearman online assessment is crucial for applicants interested in a position that requires constant numerical evaluations.
Want to know more about the A&O Shearman numerical reasoning test? Watch this 1-minute video.
We’ve got you covered with our top 6 tips on how to pass the A&O vacation scheme numerical reasoning test:
Are you ready to take on the A&O Shearman assessment tests? If yes, then test yourself by taking our example A&O-themed numerical reasoning test questions below.
A&O Shearman-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example
Think you got the question right? Check the bottom of the page for the correct answer!
Are you looking to further your A&O Shearman vacation scheme numerical reasoning test practice?
After you finish the numerical reasoning test, the next step in the assessment stage is the A&O Shearman video responses. If you’re curious to learn more, keep reading!
A&O Shearman video interviews are often conducted during or after the Online Experience stage. Depending on the stage of the hiring process and the role you’re applying for, these interviews typically involve recording answers to 2 short pre-recorded motivational questions.
Good to Know: For some early career roles, your A&O Shearman application may include a 30-minute video interview that focuses around a case study.
Watch this short video to learn more about video interviews and how A&O Shearman use them in their recruitment process:
Don’t miss our top 5 tips to pass the A&O Shearman online test video interview questions with responses that we have provided you.
After the interactive assessments, for the next stage of the A&O Shearman recruitment process you will be invited to the assessment day or interview rounds.
Read on to find out more!
The A&O assessment day occurs after you have passed the three assessment tests. The A&O Shearman assessment day often consists of two interviews, a case study interview and a scenario-based interview.
The A&O Shearman assessment day is a chance for the recruitment team to have a first-hand insight into your accuracy at problem-solving through the following assessments and exercises:
Good to Know: For some application processes, the A&O Shearman assessment day may include a written exercise or a task related to the case study interview.
Let’s dive into each of these exercises below!
The A&O Shearman partner case study interview gives you 40 minutes to review the fictional case study. You must brainstorm a comprehensive text and prepare a concise presentation before your interviewer arrives.
During the A&O Shearman online assessment interview, you will be required to review the case study for 15 minutes before you discuss it with the Partner interviewer. This discussion includes explaining how you arrived at the solutions provided in your presentation.
Our Assessment Centre package lets you gain real-time experience attempting case study questions. Marking guides will assist you and inform you of what the interviewers might be after.
Having learned all you need to pass the A&O case study interview, let’s continue to the A&O Shearman scenario-based interview.
In the A&O Shearman scenario-based interview, you will be presented with five hypothetical scenarios based on a reality you might experience at work. You are expected to share your thoughts on how you will react and solve these issues.
Here are the easy-to-follow steps to aid you in passing the A&O scenario-based interview:
Use our video interview practice tool to get ready for possible questions in your A&O Shearman test interview. The feedback and guidance on your body language will boost your confidence in your responses.
What do the A&O Shearman interview questions look like? We’ve got you covered with these example questions and answers below!
Good Answer:
Situation
As a new intern in a startup firm’s marketing department, I created the presentation copy my team lead needed for a client meeting. However, as I was still learning about the company, I struggled to create a convincing marketing presentation before the meeting.
Task
My team lead expressed his disappointment in me and, due to my error, was forced to reschedule the meeting with the client.
Action
I apologised for my mistake and asked him to give me another chance to correct it. I then met with a senior colleague and asked them to help me create a more comprehensible PowerPoint presentation. I listened to their corrections and criticisms and produced a satisfactory presentation for my team lead.
Result
I successfully pitched the presentation to the client, who was impressed by the structure and key figures that stood out to them. The client signed up for a two-year contract with us.
Reflection
I have learned to embrace communication, especially when working with a team. I have listened to my senior colleague’s instructions and believe constructive criticism is good if I want to improve and make my team proud of my contribution to the company.
I worked as an intern in the Operations team for 3 weeks when I was suddenly switched to the Customer Representation team.
I had to adapt quickly to this new role’s requirements and responsibilities to meet its targets.
I contacted my new team lead, informed them of my predicament, and requested that I shadow them or anyone else on the team so that they could teach me about my new roles. I asked questions when I did not understand the reason behind an action. I also did my own research and took courses on Customer Representation.
I quickly got upskilled in customer representation, met targets, showed good customer service and exceeded sales targets by 13%.
Adaptability and flexibility are necessary when working in any industry. Communication and teamwork are also recommended, especially when entrusted with a task that is beyond my capabilities.
Looking to further your A&O Shearman interview practice?
Congratulations on completing the A&O Shearman recruitment process! If you are a successful candidate, you should receive an email with an offer.
Explore the other career programs and opportunities offered under the A&O student and graduate schemes.
A&O Shearman is a distinguished law firm that helps young students and recent graduates find their place in the legal field by offering programs tailored to their career paths.
While their head office is located in the United Kingdom, there are A&O graduate recruitment programmes available across the continents listed below.
These are the career opportunities offered at A&O Shearman:
Let’s see what each of these means and the benefits they offer!
Known as the A&O Shearman Solicitor apprenticeship programme, it is specifically for school leavers. It allows you to gain exceptional knowledge and hands-on experience as you work with first-class A&O lawyers for your apprenticeship, usually around six years.
You can apply to any sector of your choice under the apprenticeship programme across the A&O legal departments, including Banking, Corporate, International Capital Markets and Litigation Departments.
A&O are open to accepting apprentices with at least:
The A&O Shearman degree apprenticeship programme often takes place between December and February each year.
A&O Shearman offer its apprentices a competitive salary of £28,000 in the first year and a £3,000 sign-on bonus.
The A&O First Year scheme is established for undergraduate degree students in their first year of a three-year course or second-year students in a four-year course who are interested in gaining insight and worldwide in-depth knowledge on what it means to start a legal career at A&O.
The A&O Shearman first year scheme will offer insight into the company’s structure and the opportunities that could be achieved if you choose to have a career in the legal sector.
Those eligible for the A&O Shearman First Year programme must have met the following requirements before applying:
The A&O Shearman first year scheme often occurs between January – February.
The A&O Shearman Black Student Lawyer programme is designed for skilled Black students interested in getting into A&O. The law firm recognises that black students are underrepresented in the legal world and has sought to address this by creating a programme for talented black students.
The A&O Shearman Black Students Lawyer programme is specifically for black students in their first year of a three-year undergraduate degree (or second year of a four-year degree) in any major.
They must also have attained the following before applying:
The A&O Black Students Lawyer application window is open from January to March each year.
The A&O Shearman Training Contract is a two-year program consisting of four six-month seats in various departments, leading to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) for those aspiring to become commercial solicitors at A&O. The law firm’s expertise lies in the following:
A&O will only accept students who are in their penultimate year or graduates from all universities with any degree.
The A&O training contract application window is yet to be determined. Keep an eye on their websites for updates!
The A&O vacation schemes assist UK students and graduates combat the challenges they will likely face in their careers. These vacation schemes equip you with the knowledge to overcome such hurdles and become successful employees under A&O. These schemes include:
The A&O Shearman vacation scheme is open to anyone interested in applying; however, it is mainly geared towards final and penultimate-year students or university graduates with any degree.
The A&O Shearman vacation scheme salary is a highly competitive wage of around £500 per week.
A&O Shearman typically updates its website with the application deadlines. Look for updates there, and apply as soon as possible!
The A&O LawTech & Graduate Operations programme allows you to get a tech career. You will be assigned to learn from coders, developers, lawyers, and legal project managers. You will be taught in the two-year programme to build a bridge between traditional law and the contemporary world.
You will be rotated through different teams, such as:
The A&O Shearman LawTech & Graduate Operations programme invites candidates who are final-year students from any university and with any degree though candidates in STEM will be preferred.
The A&O LawTech and Graduate Operations application window is between December and February.
The A&O Summer Associate programme is designed to help you attain the status of a summer associate at A&O Shearman. The programme lasts 10 weeks, during which you will work as a junior associate.
A&O Shearman are open to accepting any 1L and 2L law students currently studying at any US university.
The A&O Smart Start programme is in partnership with Causeway Education and is designed for year 12 students. There are two experiences that the candidates choose from:
The A&O Shearman Smart Start programme is designed only for year 12 students.
The A&O Shearman Smart Start programme begins at the start of each year.
The A&O Shearman Step Into Law Scheme supports Year 13 students from less-advantaged backgrounds with four sessions over two weeks in July and August. The first three sessions are online, and the final one is on-site at A&O.
To be eligible for the A&O step-into-law scheme, you must have the following:
The application window for the A&O Shearman Smart Start programme is open only in February of every year.
That concludes all you need to know about A&O Shearman’s vacation scheme, application process, assessment tests, and several roles and programs to apply for.
Before you apply to A&O Shearman, don’t miss our answers to even more frequently asked questions below!
There are various programmes and roles to consider when applying for A&O, each with different requirements. However, you are expected to have achieved a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree if you are to apply for the A&O vacation scheme.
Yes, anybody can apply to the A&O programmes without a law degree. However, candidates with a law degree are advised to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL).
A&O Shearman is a legal firm specialising in banking, litigation, finance, corporate law, and cross-border legal cases.
A&O Shearman are different from every other law firm because it considers societal backgrounds and focuses on giving the underprivileged a platform to rise. The firm consistently takes in skilled candidates and ensures their talents are honed to improve the world, one clientele at a time.
A&O Shearman receive about 3,000 vacation scheme applications yearly, but only 60 candidates are accepted.
Do you want to pass your A&O Shearman vacation scheme assessment test the first time? Register to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, as well as across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind; no subscription required, and a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests. The correct answer to example questions: Numerical Reasoning Test: C Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Do you want to pass your A&O Shearman vacation scheme assessment test the first time? Register to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, as well as across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind; no subscription required, and a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
The correct answer to example questions:
Numerical Reasoning Test: C
Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Start Preparing Today
