Case Study: Ashurst Vacation Scheme Interview–Assessment‑Centre Invite

hassan2990
Oct 31, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2025

At a Glance

Prep time ~2–3 hours (free‑only); Cost £0 (TikTok Live + open resources)
Stages cleared: Screen → Case Study → AC (London)
Frameworks: PEAL‑X™, PEAL‑3™, STAR‑3™, BDC™

Before

Capable candidate with generic motivation and uneven delivery; no firm‑specific facts; limited rehearsal discipline for written/video stages.

After

Ashurst Assessment Centre invite confirmed; firm‑fit narrative precise; written case study passed; delivery concise and professional.

Problem

City firms penalise vague “Why Firm” answers, adjective‑led stories and weak time control in written/video stages. This candidate blended “Why Law” and “Why Ashurst” without verifiable facts on Ashurst’s strategy, client base or recent matters. Written responses drifted past optimal length and under‑delivered on data and stakeholder outcomes. Professional presence (dress, grooming, email etiquette) was inconsistent. Mission: build a firm‑specific case via PEAL‑X™ (a fact every sentence), anchor motivation with PEAL‑3™, quantify experiences with STAR‑3™, and install rehearsal discipline (timed reps + pro checklist) to pass the Written Case study and secure an in‑person AC.

Solution

PEAL‑X™ “Why Ashurst” box → ≤250 words, 1.0 facts/sentence (public sources) → firm‑fit flagged specific.
PEAL‑3™ + BDC™ motivation → 4‑part logic within ≤90s → cleaner screens & reviewer recall.
STAR‑3™ conversions (2 experiences) → 100% quantified bullets (volume/%/timing) → evidence‑led competency signal.
Rehearsal discipline → 3–4 timed reps/response + 100% checklist adherence (dress/email) → Written case passed; AC invite issued.

Result

Using only free ECS content, the candidate passed the Written Case Study and received an in‑person Assessment Centre invitation for London (redacted screenshots/emails on file). PEAL‑X™ delivered firm‑specific precision; PEAL‑3™ clarified motivation; STAR‑3™ replaced adjectives with measurable outcomes; rehearsal discipline tightened timing and presence.

ROI

Metric	Result
Investment	£0 (free content only)
Stipend/comp (VS)	Varies by firm/season (not disclosed)
Pay‑back period	N/A (pre‑offer training context)
Lifetime uplift	Higher TC probability; City‑law earnings trajectory (qualitative)

Testimonial: “Simply exceptional.” — Name anonymised (consent on file)

Privacy notice: All case studies use fictional names and anonymised details to protect client confidentiality. Where appropriate, and with the client’s consent, we may arrange an introduction for you and your parents after their offer has been secured.