The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a standardized college entrance exam accepted at over 300 colleges that emphasizes classic literature and logical reasoning, with convenient at-home testing options for homeschoolers.
What is CLT (Classic Learning Test)?
The Classic Learning Test (CLT) launched in 2015 as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. Created by Classic Learning Initiatives, the two-hour exam tests verbal reasoning, grammar and writing, and quantitative reasoning through 120 multiple-choice questions. What distinguishes the CLT is its content: reading passages draw from classic literature and historical texts spanning thousands of years—Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis—rather than contemporary sources. The test can be taken at home with remote proctoring or at school testing sites. Over 300 colleges now accept CLT scores, with the U.S. Military Service Academies joining the list in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Two-hour exam with 120 questions across three sections
- Accepted at 300+ colleges, including all Florida public universities
- At-home testing available with remote proctoring
- Content draws from classic literature and great books tradition
- Costs $69—less expensive than SAT or ACT
Why Homeschoolers Choose CLT
The CLT's appeal to homeschoolers runs deeper than convenience. Families using classical curricula—Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, Veritas Press—find their students already familiar with the texts and thinking patterns the CLT tests. A student who has read Augustine and discussed Aristotle faces a very different exam experience than one encountering these thinkers for the first time in a testing room. The at-home testing option eliminates logistics headaches, and the shorter duration (two hours versus three-plus for SAT/ACT) reduces testing fatigue. For students targeting classical Christian colleges, the CLT may be the primary or preferred entrance exam.
College Acceptance Reality
The CLT's acceptance list continues growing, but families need realistic expectations. Over 300 colleges accept CLT scores, including all Florida public universities, several Catholic institutions, and many classical Christian colleges. The U.S. Military Service Academies will begin accepting CLT in 2026. Notably absent: Ivy League schools, most flagship state universities outside Florida, and many large research institutions. Students applying broadly should likely take both CLT and SAT or ACT to maximize options. CLT scores may yield stronger scholarship offers at partner colleges where the test philosophy aligns with institutional values.
The CLT Assessment Suite
Beyond the main college entrance exam, CLT offers assessments for younger students. The CLT10 serves freshman and sophomores ($69), providing practice and progress tracking before the main exam. CLT3-8 ($39) assesses students in grades 3-8 with parent-administered proctoring—useful for families wanting standardized testing aligned with classical education values without the typical secular test content. These earlier assessments familiarize students with CLT's format and expectations while providing the kind of external validation some state homeschool laws require.
The Bottom Line
The CLT represents a genuine philosophical alternative to mainstream standardized testing, not just a logistical convenience. Its classic literature focus rewards the kind of deep reading classical and Charlotte Mason homeschoolers already practice. The growing college acceptance list makes it viable for many students, though those applying to selective research universities should maintain SAT or ACT scores as backup. For families whose educational philosophy aligns with the great books tradition, the CLT offers both a values-consistent testing experience and meaningful scholarship opportunities at partner institutions.
