logo

Everything You Need to Know About the CLT

In this article, we will cover the following questions:

What is the CLT?

How Does It Compare to the SAT and ACT?

 Does The CLT Give Credit for Bright Futures?

 The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a relatively new college entrance exam designed as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. It was introduced in 2015 to offer a more classically oriented assessment that emphasizes critical thinking, foundational knowledge, and analysis, rooted in classical education traditions. The CLT aims to assess students’ reasoning and comprehension skills, with a focus on classic literature, historical texts, and philosophical writings.

What Makes the CLT Different from the SAT and ACT?

While the SAT and ACT have long been the dominant standardized tests for college admissions, the CLT sets itself apart in several ways:

  1. Content Focus:
    • The SAT and ACT both focus on math, reading comprehension, grammar, and writing, with an emphasis on contemporary academic subjects.
    • The CLT, on the other hand, incorporates more classical texts and ideas, drawing from sources like Plato, Shakespeare, and other timeless works in the Western canon. This gives the test a distinct philosophical and cultural orientation.
  2. Test Structure:
    • The CLT is shorter than both the SAT and ACT. It takes about two hours to complete, compared to around three hours for the SAT and ACT.
    • The CLT consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. There is no science section, unlike the ACT.
  3. Digital Format:
    • The CLT is fully administered online, with results typically available within 24 hours. This is much faster than the typical score turnaround time for the SAT or ACT, which can take several weeks.
  4. Scoring:
    • The CLT uses a scoring scale that ranges from 0 to 120, while the SAT has a 400-1600 range and the ACT a 1-36 scale.

 

 

College Acceptance of the CLT

The CLT is accepted at many smaller, liberal arts institutions, especially those with a classical or religious affiliation. However, it is not as widely accepted as the SAT and ACT, particularly at large public universities or highly competitive institutions. Before opting for the CLT, students should research whether the colleges they are interested in accept CLT scores for admission.

Does the CLT Give Credit for Bright Futures?

The Bright Futures Scholarship program is a merit-based scholarship for Florida residents, requiring minimum SAT or ACT scores for eligibility. As of now, the CLT is not accepted for Bright Futures. The scholarship program currently only considers SAT and ACT scores when determining eligibility. Therefore, students aiming for Bright Futures will still need to take either the SAT or ACT to qualify for those funds.