What Is The CLT Test? CLT vs. SAT vs. ACT Differences

For decades, American high school students going to college had two main college admissions test options: the SAT or the ACT. Now, a third is drawing attention - the CLT.

The Classic Learning Test (CLT), launched in 2015 by Classic Learning Initiatives, is a two-hour, online exams that assesses reading, grammar, writing, and math. Like its competitors, it costs $69 to take. But its defining feature is in the reading section: students encounter longer passages drawn from works the test-makers describe as “classics.” These range from Plato and Aristotle to Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison.

According to Brian Eufinger, co-founder of Edison Prep, "The CLT is a third test option - think Dr. Pepper to the two goliaths of SAT Pepsi and ACT Coke - that has been making gradual in-roads and more students are utilizing. While the CLT was originally mostly utilized by smaller religiously-affiliated colleges and popular with homeschoolers, its growing adoption as an option by some mainstream institutions -- all of Florida's public institution, military academies, etc - has increased the number of families who are asking about it."

The test’s advocates say this focus on complex texts better reflects the type of reading students will encounter in higher education.

In math, the CLT tests algebra, geometry, and reasoning but excludes statistics and prohibits calculators - another differentiator from the SAT and ACT.

With colleges nationwide ending "test optional" policies, the CLT is another option for students looking to showcase their aptitude for college admission.

Rapid Expansion Among Smaller Private Colleges

Until recently, the CLT was mostly accepted by small private colleges, often Christian-affiliated. The company’s list of partner colleges (PDF File) shows more than 300 institutions now recognizing the exam, including Baylor University, Pepperdine University, and the University of Florida.

Florida was the first state university system to adopt the CLT in 2023, granting it equal footing with the SAT and ACT for admission to its 12 public universities. The move sparked a surge: while only about 24,000 students took the CLT in its first seven years, a reported 500,000 took the test it in the past two years alone.

Other states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, have since passed legislation allowing its use in admissions and scholarship programs.

Perhaps the biggest breakthrough came this fall: the U.S. military service academies will begin accepting CLT scores for the class entering in 2027. The decision follows posts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: 

CLT vs. SAT vs. ACT

While the CLT is very similar to the SAT and ACT in many ways, there are key differences. Some of the main differences include the reading comprehension sections, which focus on longer classical text passage, and some aspects of the math content.

The scoring range for the CLT is 0 - 120, compared to 400 - 1600 for the SAT, and 1 - 36 for the ACT.

What It Means For Students And Families

For students in states where the CLT is now accepted, the test offers another option. Those from private or religious schools, who are already steeped in classical texts, may find it particularly appealing. Families considering the CLT should weigh:

• Acceptance: While growing, the CLT is still not as widely accepted by colleges as the SAT or ACT. Students applying to out-of-state or highly selective universities should check whether it is accepted.
• Preparation: Students may need different preparation, especially for the reading section’s longer passages and the calculator-free math exam.
• Uncertainty: Without long-term data, it is unclear whether the CLT predicts college performance as reliably as its competitors.

For students and families applying to college, it boils down to whether the college you want to attend accepts the test or not. And whether you want to take it, realizing that other schools on your list may still require the SAT or ACT.

Bottom Line

The Classic Learning Test has moved from the margins to the mainstream of college admissions. Its acceptance by the U.S. service academies signals a new phase in its expansion.

But for families, the decision about whether to take the CLT alongside—or instead of—the SAT and ACT hinges on a familiar calculation: college goals, test accessibility, and personal readiness.

As Eufinger says, "The standard advice for students doesn't change: students should choose their strongest test based on taking a mock test. If a student has a college list that is heavy with military academies, Florida schools, and other schools that utilize the CLT, they could take a practice CLT exam to compare against a practice ACT and/or PSAT score to make the decision as to which test to pursue."

Common Questions

Is the CLT harder than the SAT or ACT?

Not necessarily. The reading passages are longer and drawn from classical texts, which may be more challenging for some students. The math section excludes statistics but does not allow calculators, which can also feel harder for those used to calculator-based testing.

Do Ivy League or highly selective universities accept the CLT?

As of now, most highly selective private universities — including Ivy League schools — do not accept the CLT. It is recognized by more than 350 colleges, primarily Christian schools, Florida’s state universities, and starting in 2027, the U.S. service academies.

Should students take both the SAT/ACT and the CLT?

That depends on where a student is applying. Students targeting a broad range of schools, should still take the SAT or ACT. The CLT may be a useful supplement in states or colleges that recognize it.

Are scholarships tied to CLT scores?

Some states, like Florida, allow CLT scores to be used for state-funded scholarship eligibility. Students should check directly with the colleges or state agencies they’re applying to.

How widely used is the CLT compared with the SAT and ACT?

In the past two years, about 500,000 students took the CLT. By comparison, nearly 2 million students took the SAT and about 1.4 million took the ACT in a single graduating class.

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