CMS early careers: how to get in
Last checked 2026-10-12 against CMS's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with CMS. How we check
At a glance
- Training Contracttraining contractNo published deadlineVisa sponsorship: Some tracks4 stages
- Scotland Training Contracttraining contractOpenVisa sponsorship: Not published4 stages
- No published deadlineVisa sponsorship: No
- CMS Insight Programmevacation schemeOpenVisa sponsorship: Not published4 stages
Training Contract
How CMS recruits
England and Wales direct training contract (window open as of October 2026; dates not stated on page). 4 stages, from CMS's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where CMS names them.
Online application form
Application form
Online form on education, experience and motivation for CMS.
“Tell us about your education, experience and motivation for applying to CMS.”
Critical thinking test
Online tests
Short online critical thinking test; practice test available. Provider not named.
“A short online test focused on analytical and problem solving skills. No legal knowledge is required, and a practice test is available.”
Video interview
Recorded video interview
15-minute one-way video interview answering pre-recorded questions. Platform not named.
- about 15 minutes
- pre-recorded questions
“A 15-minute video interview where you’ll respond to a set of pre recorded questions.”
Assessment day
Assessment centre
In-person half-day assessment at a CMS office with exercises on motivation, judgement and collaboration. Exercises not itemised.
“An in-person half day at one of our offices, including exercises designed to explore your motivation, judgement, collaboration and potential.”
Scotland Training Contract
How CMS recruits
Scotland direct training contract (dates not stated on page). 4 stages, from CMS's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where CMS names them.
Online application form
Application form
Online form on education, experience and motivation for CMS.
“Tell us about your education, experience and motivation for applying to CMS.”
Critical thinking test
Online tests
Short online critical thinking test; practice test available. Provider not named.
“A short online test focused on analytical and problem solving skills. No legal knowledge is required, and a practice test is available.”
Video interview
Recorded video interview
15-minute one-way video interview answering pre-recorded questions. Platform not named.
- about 15 minutes
- pre-recorded questions
“A 15-minute interview, where you will be asked to answer a series of pre-recorded questions.”
Assessment day
Assessment centre
In-person half-day assessment at a CMS office with exercises on motivation, judgement and collaboration. Exercises not itemised.
“An in-person half day at one of our offices, including exercises designed to explore your motivation, judgement, collaboration and potential.”
Insight Programme
How CMS recruits
Insight Programme 14 to 18 June 2027 (applications 29 January to 8 February 2027). 4 stages, from CMS's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where CMS names them.
Online application form
Application form
Online application form.
“Interested in applying? Here’s an outline of the different stages involved. [...] Online application form”
Critical thinking test
Online tests
Online critical thinking test on analytical reasoning and logic; practice test available.
“Designed to test your analytical reasoning and logic.”
Video interview
Recorded video interview
15-minute one-way video interview with pre-recorded questions.
- about 15 minutes
- pre-recorded questions
“A short 15-minute interview where you will answer a series of pre-recorded questions.”
Virtual interview
Live video interview
30-minute virtual interview on motivation.
- about 30 minutes
“A 30-minute interview to get to know you and your motivations for applying to the role.”
Visa sponsorship
Training Contract
Will endeavour to sponsor, but regional first-year pay sits below the general salary threshold
“We will endeavour to support your application for a work permit.”
Scotland Training Contract
CMS publishes exact trainee salaries for its Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow offices and opens applications the day after this research, but says nothing about visa sponsorship.
“Applications open 24 September 2026”
Solicitor Apprenticeship
CMS runs a six-year solicitor apprenticeship in Bristol, London, Manchester and Sheffield, but says it cannot sponsor a visa for it.
“If you’re applying for our solicitor apprenticeship, please note that we can’t provide visa sponsorship for this programme.”
Insight Programme
CMS pays £475 a week for its Insight Programme, a week-long scheme that can fast-track candidates to a training contract assessment day, but no visa sponsorship statement was found.
CMS on the Home Office sponsor register
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check gov.uk and the employer's own FAQ before you apply: rules change.
Common questions
- What is the CMS training contract application process?
- CMS's own careers pages describe 4 stages: Online application form, then Critical thinking test, then Video interview, then Assessment day.
- Does CMS use a recorded video interview?
- Yes. CMS lists a recorded video interview stage ("Video interview").
- Does CMS sponsor visas for graduates?
- Will endeavour to sponsor, but regional first-year pay sits below the general salary threshold
Related guides
Other schemes we track
Deadlines, stages and tests for each scheme. Not affiliated with any firm.
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GoRizzume is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by CMS. Names are used only to identify CMS's recruitment process. Practice in GoRizzume is original material written in the style of common assessment formats, not the employer's or provider's actual tests. Processes change, so always check CMS's official careers site before applying.
Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.