Clarifying the CLT

Hey guys, I keep hearing about a CLT as a form of standardized test. Does anyone have more details about what it is and who generally takes it?

The CLT, also known as the Classic Learning Test, is another form of standardized testing, much like the SAT or ACT. It's a newer test, having only been started in 2015, and primarily attracts homeschoolers and students from classical education backgrounds.

Here's what the structure of the CLT looks like: The test has three sections - verbal reasoning, grammar/writing, and quantitative reasoning - and runs for a total of 120 minutes. If you decide to take the CLT with the optional essay, the test will end up being 140 minutes long.

The CLT test has gained some traction because it promises fast turnaround times for results, with scores being revealed the day after the test is taken. Additionally, the CLT has indicated that they have a philosophical alignment with classical educators and homeschoolers, as compared to the SAT and ACT, which is why those groups have been particularly drawn to the test.

While over 200 colleges do accept the CLT, it's important to note that many colleges still do not. The vast majority of colleges accept the SAT and/or ACT, so if you're considering taking the CLT, you should also check the test requirements of the colleges you're interested in applying to, to ensure they do accept CLT scores.

As a final note, the CLT isn't as widely recognized or utilized as the SAT or ACT, so sometimes it may not be the best fit for your college admissions journey. As always, the decision to take a particular standardized test should be based on where you want to apply, and what those colleges accept.