Classic Learning Test
{{Short description|Standardized test in the U.S.}}
{{use mdy dates |date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox examination
| name = CLT
| type = Computer based standardized test
| purpose = Undergraduate admissions (mostly US and Canadian colleges and universities)
| skills_tested = English, math, and critical reasoning skills
| prerequisite =
| score_range = Composite score: 0 to 120
| language = English
| length = 2 hours
| fee = US$69 (CLT), $49 (CLT10), $39 (CLT3-8)
| score_users = Colleges or universities offering undergraduate programs, or used by teachers and parents for student evaluation
| website = {{URL|https://www.cltexam.com/tests/clt/|cltexam.com}}
}}
The Classic Learning Test (or CLT) is a standardized test developed by Classic Learning Initiatives in 2015. The company is based in Annapolis, Maryland, and its CEO is Jeremy Tate.{{Cite news |last=Redemer |first=Colin |date=2023-06-20 |title=Debating the Classic Learning Test {{!}} Colin Redemer |language=en-US |work=American Reformer |url=https://americanreformer.org/2023/06/debate-clt/ |access-date=2023-09-08}} Designed as an alternative to other standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT,{{Cite news|url=https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/student-reflects-on-taking-both-the-act-and-classic-learning-test|title=Student Publishes Comparison of ACT and Classic Learning Test|work=The Heartland Institute|access-date=2018-11-14|language=en}} the test assesses reading, grammar, writing, and mathematics. One of the distinctive elements of the CLT is its use of classic literature and historical texts{{Cite web |title=Author Bank for Classic Learning Test (CLT) |url=https://www.cltexam.com/tests/authors/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=CLT |language=en-US}} for the majority of reading passages on the exam.
The test can be taken online or in-school, takes approximately two hours to complete,{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Juliana |title=What to know about Florida's 'classic' alternative to the SAT |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/09/10/1198638538/what-to-know-classic-learning-test-florida-sat-act-colleges |website=NPR |access-date=15 March 2025 |date=11 September 2023}} and issues test scores within ten days; scores are calculated out of 120. Classic Learning Initiatives also offers other assessments for third through twelfth-grade students: the CLT10, designed for high school freshmen and sophomores, and CLT3-8, for third through eighth-grade students.{{Cite web |title=CLT Tests |url=https://www.cltexam.com/tests/ |access-date=2020-05-12 |work=www.cltexam.com |language=en}} CLT scores have been indexed to SAT and ACT scores, as well as CLT10 scores to PSAT scores.{{Cite web |title=CLT and CLT10 Comparisons |url=https://www.cltexam.com/compare/ |access-date=2020-05-12 |work=cltexam.com |language=en}}
Content
As of September 2023, the CLT contained sections on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and grammar and writing, as well as an optional essay segment. The test has a noticeable emphasis on Christian thought{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Dana|title=Florida Approves Classic Learning Test for Use in College Admissions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/florida-classical-learning-test-approval.html|access-date=11 September 2023|work=The New York Times|date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908213005/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/us/florida-classical-learning-test-approval.html|archive-date=8 September 2023|url-status=live|issn=0362-4331}} and many of its textual excerpts come from works by Christian figures such as Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Paul II, Jonathan Edwards, Teresa of Ávila,{{cite web |last1=Demopoulos |first1=Alaina |title='This is not a Trumpy, conservative education': Florida’s controversial new SAT alternative |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/26/classic-learning-test-florida-college-university |website=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2025 |date=26 September 2023}} Augustine of Hippo, Thomas à Kempis, and C. S. Lewis, though religiously critical individuals such as Mark Twain, Charles Darwin, and Karl Marx also feature in the test's author bank. Other writers excerpted in the test include Jorge Luis Borges, Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, William Shakespeare, Anna Julia Cooper, Toni Morrison, and Ida B. Wells.
Schools accepting CLT scores
Approximately 200 colleges and universities in both the United States and abroad accept the CLT for various purposes related to admissions and course placement.{{cite news |last1=Ceballos |first1=Ana |last2=Brugal |first2=Sommer |date=Feb 17, 2023 |title=Florida is considering a 'classical and Christian' alternative to the SAT. |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/02/17/desantis-classical-learning-test-college-board-ap-sat/ |access-date=Feb 22, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times}}{{cite web |title=Over 200 Colleges & Universities Accept CLT Scores |url=https://www.cltexam.com/colleges/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=cltexam.com |publisher=CLT}} These schools tend to be private, liberal arts or faith-based colleges. Many are evangelical and Catholic schools.
In September 2023, Florida's Board of Governors voted to approve the CLT as an accepted admissions test at all public universities in the state.
New College Franklin{{Cite web |title=Apply |url=https://www.newcollegefranklin.edu/apply |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=New College Franklin |language=en-US}} requires CLT scores for admission for all students under the age of 25.
A list of test-optional colleges that do not require any standardized test for admission, but allow the option to send in a CLT score include:
- Benedictine College{{cite web |title=Apply to Benedictine |date=August 31, 2018 |url=https://www.benedictine.edu/admission/apply/index |access-date=2023-06-03}}
- Bob Jones University{{cite web |title=Admissions Process - Bob Jones University |url=https://www.bju.edu/admission/apply/admission-process.php |access-date=2021-05-24}}
- Cedarville University{{Cite web |title=Classic Learning Test Accepted at Cedarville |url=https://www.cedarville.edu/news/2018/classic-learning-test-accepted-at-cedarville |access-date=2021-10-08 |website=Cedarville University |language=en}}
- Grove City College{{cite web |title=How to Apply |url=https://www.gcc.edu/Home/Admissions-Financial-Aid/Applying-to-Grove-City-College/How-To-Apply |access-date=2023-07-10}}
- Liberty University{{cite web |title=Liberty University's Admission Requirements |url=https://www.liberty.edu/residential/undergraduate/ |access-date=2021-05-24}}
- [https://www.harding.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/apply-undergrad Harding University]
- Mount St. Mary's University{{cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions |url=https://msmary.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/index.html |access-date=2021-05-24}}
- Palm Beach Atlantic University{{Cite web |title=Freshman Admissions |url=https://www.pba.edu/admissions/undergraduate/freshman/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Palm Beach Atlantic University |language=en-US}}
- Saint Vincent College{{cite web |title=Undergraduate Students - Saint Vincent College |url=https://www.stvincent.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-students.html |access-date=2021-05-24}}
- St. Olaf College{{cite web |title=Test Optional - St Olaf College |url=https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/test-optional/ |access-date=2021-05-24}}
- Wheaton College (Illinois){{Cite web |last=College |first=Wheaton |title=Submit Test Scores |url=https://www.wheaton.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply-to-wheaton/about-the-admissions-process/transfer-applicants/submit-test-scores/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Wheaton College |language=en}}
- Zaytuna CollegeBA FAQs
References
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{{Admission tests}}
{{Classical education}}