Burness Paull Arctic Shores Assessment
Burness Paull screens its Summer Vacation Scheme applicants with Arctic Shores games, not a verbal reasoning or Watson Glaser test. Here is what to expect from each stage, from the tasks to the assessment centre
The Burness Paull selection process
Burness Paull is a full-service commercial law firm based in Scotland, with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Its main route to a traineeship is the paid four-week Summer Vacation Scheme, and the selection process for it has four stages.
What the Arctic Shores assessment is like
If you have only sat verbal reasoning tests before, this will feel different. There are no questions to answer. Instead you play a series of short tasks, and the assessment reads your behaviour and ability from how you play. Arctic Shores tasks include things like pumping balloons for reward, responding to arrows and remembering sequences. Burness Paull says it looks only at the behaviours most essential for the role before it gets back to you.
There is no time limit on the assessment as a whole, though individual tasks move quickly. Every candidate receives a detailed feedback report on their own results afterwards, which is worth keeping: it is a useful reference when you are asked about yourself at interview.
Burness Paull says no preparation is required and asks you to approach the tasks naturally. That is fair for the behavioural side, where there is no right answer. What practice does help with is the unfamiliar mechanics: if you already know how each task works, you spend your attention on the task rather than on working out the controls. Our Arctic Shores practice hub covers each task, and the Balance and Arrows pages explain two of them in detail.
Reasonable adjustments
If you need adjustments, tell the Graduate Recruitment Team before you start the assessment. Burness Paull says adjustments cannot be applied once the test is complete.
The assessment centre
The assessment centre is an interview with a partner and a member of HR, lasting around an hour and a half and split into two parts. In the first you discuss a research note you have written on a short case study, which is sent to you before the day so you have time to prepare. Expect to be challenged on your views: the firm wants to see how you research, write, present and argue. The second part covers your application, your studies and your experiences, with time for your own questions. Burness Paull gives feedback to everyone who attends.
Eligibility and what the scheme leads to
Summer placements are open to third-year Scots Law LLB students and above, first-year accelerated LLB students and above, and Diploma students, on track for a 2:1 or higher. You spend the placement in two practice areas, and doing well on it helps you secure a traineeship offer. Successful candidates have their Diploma fees covered. Direct traineeship applications are open to those studying or holding the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, and to those who have completed the three-year pre-PEAT training contract. The traineeship itself lasts two years, across four practice areas.
How to prepare
Frequently asked questions
Does Burness Paull use Watson Glaser?
The published process for the Summer Vacation Scheme does not include one. The first stage is the Arctic Shores task-based assessment, followed by a telephone interview and an assessment centre.
How long is the Burness Paull Arctic Shores assessment?
There is no overall time limit. Burness Paull recommends setting aside around 35 to 60 minutes.
Can I pass or fail the Arctic Shores tasks?
There is no published pass mark. The firm considers the behaviours most essential for the role before deciding who moves on to interview.
Where are the Burness Paull assessment centres held?
In person at the firm's offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow.