College Admissions · Testing · 2026-27
The Classic Learning Test (CLT) in 2026: Where It’s Accepted, Score Conversions and Who Should Take It
More than 350 colleges, three service academies, every Florida public university and now UT Austin accept the CLT. Here is how it compares to the SAT and ACT, and when it is the smarter test.
Jeremy M. Fine
A free ConnectPrep resource. Facts verified against official sources on the date shown.
The short answer
The Classic Learning Test is a 2 hour, 120 question alternative to the SAT and ACT, scored 0 to 120 and taken online. In 2026 it is accepted by more than 350 colleges, all Florida public universities, the Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy, and UT Austin, with the UNC System and most Georgia public colleges joining for Fall 2027. It is not accepted by the Ivy League, so most students should treat it as an addition to the SAT or ACT, not a replacement.
350+
colleges accept the CLT, per CLT
120
questions in 2 hours, no calculator
3
service academies accept it for the Class of 2031
$112
remote test fee; score sends are free
What is the Classic Learning Test?
Quick answer
The CLT is a college entrance exam created in 2015 by Classic Learning Initiatives as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. It tests verbal reasoning, grammar and writing, and quantitative reasoning using passages drawn largely from classic and historical texts, and it is taken entirely online.
For most of its first decade the CLT was a niche exam used by classical, private and homeschooled students. That changed in 2023 when Florida’s university system accepted it for admission, and it has been picking up states, scholarships and institutions ever since. CLT says it now gives roughly 200,000 CLT exams a year, and that more than 70% of test takers attend public schools.
The reading passages are the CLT’s signature. Students see authors such as Homer, Sophocles, Augustine, Austen, Sojourner Truth, Tolstoy, Du Bois, Orwell, Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison, across literature, science, philosophy and religion, and historical documents. For a student who reads widely, that can feel familiar. For a student raised on modern prose, older syntax can slow reading down.
CLT format vs the SAT and ACT
Quick answer
The CLT has 120 questions in three 40 question sections and takes 2 hours. It has no science section, no statistics and no calculator, includes trigonometry, and reports one score from 0 to 120. The digital SAT runs 2 hours 14 minutes and the ACT about 2 hours 5 minutes without its optional sections.
| CLT | Digital SAT | ACT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 2 hours | 2 hours 14 minutes | About 2 hours 5 minutes |
| Sections | Verbal Reasoning (40 q, 40 min), Grammar and Writing (40 q, 35 min), Quantitative Reasoning (40 q, 45 min) | Reading and Writing, Math | English, Math, Reading (Science optional) |
| Score scale | 0 to 120 | 400 to 1600 | 1 to 36 |
| Calculator | Not allowed | Allowed throughout | Allowed on Math |
| Statistics and data | Not tested | Tested | Tested |
| Trigonometry | Tested | Limited | Limited |
| Where you test | Online at home (remote proctored) or in school | Test center or school | Test center or school |
| Essay | Optional, in-school testers only, unscored | None | Optional |
| Score sends | Free and unlimited | Fee after free sends | Fee after free sends |
| Ivy League acceptance | No | Yes | Yes |
Sources: cltexam.com test pages, CLT vs SAT and CLT vs ACT comparison pages, and CLT FAQs. SAT and ACT lengths as stated by CLT.
Testing time, in minutes
Core testing time for each exam, excluding breaks and optional sections
Source: CLT comparison pages.
Where the CLT is accepted in 2026
Quick answer
CLT says more than 350 colleges accept its exam. The biggest public adopters are Florida’s 12 state universities, Arkansas and Oklahoma public institutions, Indiana public colleges under SB 88, UT Austin, and starting Fall 2027 the UNC System and most of the University System of Georgia. The Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy accept it for the Class of 2031.
Colleges accepting the CLT
Count reported by CLT and news coverage at each point
Sources: NPR (September 2023), CLT press release (May 2026), Texas Tribune (July 2026). Counts are CLT’s own.
| State or system | CLT status | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | Accepted | All 12 State University System institutions since 2023. Bright Futures scholarships accept and superscore the CLT. |
| Arkansas | Accepted | Public institutions accept it. Act 724 of 2025 requires high schools to offer it, under a state contract approved March 2026. Academic Challenge Scholarship accepts a CLT 58. |
| Oklahoma | Accepted | Public institutions, including the University of Oklahoma, accept it, and it counts for state merit scholarships. |
| Indiana | Accepted | SB 88 requires public colleges to accept the CLT as an SAT or ACT alternative. Purdue and Indiana University appear in CLT’s directory. |
| Texas | Partial | Since July 2026 universities may consider CLT scores for applicants outside automatic admission. UT Austin accepts official CLT scores. The state board votes on formal rules by January 2027, effective Fall 2028. |
| North Carolina (UNC System) | Fall 2027 | Approved February 2026. Scores are only required for students below a 2.80 GPA, and the CLT now counts alongside the SAT and ACT. |
| Georgia (USG) | Fall 2027 | CLT may substitute for the SAT at USG institutions using the CLT concordance, except UGA and Georgia Tech. |
| Louisiana | Scholarship only | TOPS accepts the CLT. As of fall 2025 Louisiana public universities did not accept it for admission. |
| Wyoming | Scholarship | Hathaway Scholarship eligibility accepts the ACT, SAT or CLT. |
| New Mexico | Accepted | The University of New Mexico accepts the CLT. |
| Iowa | Under review | The Board of Regents rejected the CLT in 2024 and in 2026 moved to change its rule to any standardized test; Iowa and Iowa State appear in CLT’s directory. |
| Ohio | Pending | HB 326, letting high schools give the CLT, passed the House and was in the Senate as of April 2026. |
| Tennessee | Not enacted | A 2026 bill to add the CLT for HOPE scholarships and admissions died in April 2026. |
State or system names link to the official or news source for that row. Verified October 2, 2026.
Service academies and the CLT
| Academy | Accepts CLT? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Naval Academy | Yes, Class of 2031 | USNA uses the CLT verbal and math sections the same way it uses SAT and ACT sections. Tests must be finished before February 1, 2027. |
| U.S. Air Force Academy | Yes | Lists the ACT, CLT and SAT and counts only the highest scores. |
| U.S. Military Academy (West Point) | Yes, 2027 cycle | Per CLT and congressional offices announcing the Class of 2031 application cycle. |
| U.S. Coast Guard Academy | Not listed | Requirements mention only standardized test scores; the CLT is not named. |
| U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | Not listed | Lists only the ACT and SAT. |
CLT offers service academy candidates 50% off the exam in 2026-27.
Applying to a service academy? Read our Class of 2031 admissions guide →
Notable private colleges in CLT’s directory include Hillsdale, Liberty, Pepperdine, Grove City, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Christendom, Patrick Henry College, the University of Dallas and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Check each college’s own admissions page before relying on the directory, since policies change and some schools accept the CLT only for scholarships or with conditions.
CLT to SAT and ACT score conversion
Quick answer
CLT’s official concordance puts a CLT 100 at about a 1390 SAT and 31 ACT, a CLT 90 at about 1270 and 27, and a CLT 80 at about 1170 and 24. Scholarship cutoffs are marked in the table below.
| CLT score | SAT equivalent | ACT equivalent | Scholarship cutoff at this score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 1600 | 36 | |
| 115 | 1570 | 36 | |
| 110 | 1520 | 34 | |
| 105 | 1460 | 33 | |
| 100 | 1390 | 31 | |
| 95 | 1330 | 29 | Bright Futures Academic Scholars, class of 2027 |
| 90 | 1270 | 27 | |
| 85 | 1220 | 25 | |
| 82 | 1190 | 24 | Bright Futures Medallion Scholars, class of 2027 |
| 80 | 1170 | 24 | |
| 75 | 1130 | 23 | |
| 70 | 1080 | 21 | |
| 65 | 1040 | 20 | |
| 60 | 1000 | 19 | |
| 58 | 990 | 19 | Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship minimum |
| 54 | 950 | 17 | Louisiana TOPS qualifying score cited by CLT |
Source: CLT vs SAT and CLT vs ACT concordance tables (CLT-SAT study published April 2023, 4,375 scores). Scholarship cutoffs from Florida Bright Futures, the Arkansas Senate and CLT. The College Board says this concordance does not meet industry standards, so treat conversions as estimates.
Florida’s cutoffs climb for the class of 2028: the Academic Scholars award moves to CLT 96 (SAT 1350) and the Medallion award to CLT 83 (SAT 1200). One caution on Arkansas: state materials describe a CLT 58 as roughly a 24 ACT, but CLT’s own table puts 58 at a 19 ACT. We use CLT’s table.
Compare SAT and ACT side by side →
What is a good CLT score?
Quick answer
A good CLT score is the one that clears your target. For Florida students that means 82 for Bright Futures Medallion and 95 for Academic Scholars (class of 2027). At selective colleges that accept the CLT, scores near 100 (about a 1390 SAT) are competitive, and 105 or higher (about 1460) stands out.
ConnectPrep’s general advice for any admissions test applies here too: aim at or above the 75th percentile of each target school’s admitted range, and remember that a higher score is always worth something, whether for admission, merit aid or placement. Because CLT score sends are free and the test can be retaken on any scheduled date, a planned second attempt is often the most efficient path to a scholarship cutoff.
Is the CLT easier or harder than the SAT?
Quick answer
Neither test is simply easier. The CLT is shorter and skips statistics, but it bans calculators, includes trigonometry and uses older, denser reading passages. The SAT allows a calculator throughout and tests data analysis. Which one is easier for you depends on your skills, and a diagnostic on each is the fastest way to know.
What can make the CLT feel easier
- Shorter total testing time
- No statistics or data analysis
- Single 0 to 120 scale and free score sends
- Take it at home with remote proctoring
What can make the CLT feel harder
- No calculator on any question
- Trigonometry and logic word problems
- Classic and historical reading passages with older syntax
- Grammar section is passage based and fast paced
It is worth knowing the criticism. A July 2026 review by Texas A&M’s Public Policy Research Institute scored the CLT’s predictive validity 1.4 out of 4, against 3.8 for the ACT and 4.0 for the SAT, and labeled it moderate risk, noting the CLT data covered 259 students at five private universities compared with more than 117,000 students for the College Board. The Iowa Board of Regents found no evidence in 2024 of the CLT’s predictive power, and the College Board argues that a quarter of CLT math questions sit below high school level. CLT disputes these findings. For families, the practical point is simple: highly selective colleges do not accept the CLT, so it should not be a student’s only test if those schools are on the list.
Who should take the CLT?
Strong candidates for the CLT
- Florida students chasing Bright Futures who score better without a calculator
- Service academy candidates looking for one more strong math and verbal score
- Students at classical, private or home schools who read older texts comfortably
- Applicants to colleges that accept it, such as Hillsdale, Pepperdine or Florida’s public universities
- Students who test better at home than in a test center
Probably stick with the SAT or ACT
- Anyone applying to Ivy League or other highly selective colleges
- Students targeting UGA or Georgia Tech
- Students who lean on a calculator or excel at data analysis
- Applicants in states where no college on their list accepts it
- Students who only have time to prepare for one exam
See which colleges require the SAT or ACT →
2026-27 CLT test dates
| Remote test date | Registration deadline | Scores released |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2026 | October 8 | November 4 |
| November 14, 2026 | November 5 | December 2 |
| December 8, 2026 | December 3 | December 22 |
| January 23, 2027 | January 14 | February 10 |
| February 18, 2027 | February 11 | March 10 |
| March 20, 2027 | March 11 | April 7 |
| April 17, 2027 | April 8 | May 5 |
| May 22, 2027 | May 13 | June 9 |
| June 17, 2027 | June 10 | July 7 |
Source: cltexam.com CLT test page. The remote test window runs 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern on test day. Service academy candidates should finish testing by the December or January date.
All SAT and ACT test dates for 2026-27 →
CLT10 and CLT3-8 for younger students
| Exam | Grades | Used for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLT10 | 9 and 10 | A PSAT or PreACT alternative with the same three sections and timing, CLT practice, college connections, and CLT student awards. Meets end of year homeschool testing requirements in most states. Not connected to National Merit. | $69 |
| CLT3-8 | 3 to 8 | Diagnostic and growth exams scored 150 to 300 per section | $39 |
Source: cltexam.com. CLT10 2026-27 dates: October 8 and November 5, 2026; February 3, April 21 to 22, and June 23, 2027.
One caution for strong sophomores and juniors: only the PSAT/NMSQT counts toward National Merit. A student with a shot at National Merit Semifinalist should not swap the PSAT for the CLT10.
See National Merit cutoffs by state →
How to prepare for the CLT
Quick answer
Take an official CLT practice test first, then build three habits: fast mental math and estimation without a calculator, an active reading method for classic passages, and a rules first approach to the grammar section. Students who have already prepared for the SAT or ACT can often adapt in a few focused weeks.
- Simplify the math. With no calculator, the winning move is reasoning before arithmetic: estimate, eliminate and plug in. Review right triangle trigonometry and logic word problems, which the SAT barely tests.
- Deconstruct older passages. Summarize each paragraph in five words, track the author’s claim and the counterclaim, and practice with primary sources such as Federalist papers, Lincoln and Augustine.
- Master a short list of grammar rules. Punctuation, agreement and concision cover most of the Grammar and Writing section.
- Rehearse the remote setup. Test the LockDown browser and your device before test day so nothing costs you time.
- Plan two attempts. Free score sends make a second sitting a low risk way to reach a scholarship cutoff.
CLT tutoring with ConnectPrep
ConnectPrep tutors the CLT one on one, online, anywhere in the country. Our method is the same one we use for the SAT and ACT: simplify the test and deconstruct every question type so students know exactly what each one is asking. For the CLT that means no calculator number sense, a reading process built for classic texts, and a fast grammar checklist.
We also help families decide whether the CLT belongs in a student’s plan at all, based on the colleges, scholarships or academies on their list.
- Diagnostic on an official CLT practice test with a section by section breakdown
- No calculator math strategies, including trigonometry and logic problems
- Active reading method for classic and historical passages
- Targeted plans for Bright Futures, Academic Challenge and other scholarship cutoffs
- Coordinated SAT, ACT and CLT strategy so students only prepare for what they need
- Service academy test planning with deadlines built in
CLT FAQ
What is the Classic Learning Test (CLT)?
The CLT is a college entrance exam from Classic Learning Initiatives that serves as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. It has three 40 question sections (Verbal Reasoning, Grammar and Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning), takes 2 hours, is scored from 0 to 120, and is taken online at home with remote proctoring or in school.
What colleges accept the CLT?
CLT says more than 350 colleges accept it. That includes every Florida public university, Arkansas and Oklahoma public institutions, UT Austin, the University of New Mexico, Purdue, Indiana University, the Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy, plus many private colleges such as Hillsdale, Pepperdine and Grove City. The UNC System and most University System of Georgia schools begin accepting it for Fall 2027.
Do Ivy League schools accept the CLT?
No. As of October 2026 no Ivy League school accepts the CLT, and the University System of Georgia’s new policy specifically excludes UGA and Georgia Tech. Students applying to highly selective colleges should plan on the SAT or ACT.
How do CLT scores convert to SAT and ACT scores?
Using CLT’s official concordance, a CLT 100 equals about a 1390 SAT or 31 ACT, a 90 equals about 1270 or 27, an 80 equals about 1170 or 24, and a 60 equals about 1000 or 19. The College Board disputes the concordance, so treat conversions as estimates.
What is a good CLT score?
It depends on your goal. Florida’s top Bright Futures award requires a CLT 95 for the class of 2027 (96 for 2028), and the Medallion award requires 82 (83 for 2028). A score around 100, which converts to roughly a 1390 SAT, is competitive at selective colleges that accept the CLT.
Is the CLT easier than the SAT?
It is different more than easier. The CLT is shorter, has no statistics, and draws reading passages from classic texts, but it bans calculators and includes trigonometry. The College Board argues the CLT math is easier; CLT argues its reading is more demanding. Your best test depends on your strengths, which a diagnostic can show.
Can you use a calculator on the CLT?
No. Calculators are not allowed anywhere on the CLT. The Quantitative Reasoning section is designed to test logical reasoning rather than complex calculation, so mental math and estimation skills matter.
Can you take the CLT at home?
Yes. The CLT is fully online and can be taken at home with remote proctoring on scheduled test dates, using a laptop, desktop or tablet with the LockDown browser. It is also given in schools on in-school testing days.
How much does the CLT cost?
The remotely proctored CLT costs $112. The CLT10 for grades 9 and 10 costs $69, and the CLT3-8 for younger students costs $39. Sending scores to colleges is free and unlimited. Service academy candidates receive 50% off in 2026-27.
Does the CLT have an essay?
There is an optional essay of 30 minutes, but it is only offered to in-school testers and is not available on the remote exam. It is not scored and can be sent to colleges as a writing sample.
Do the military service academies accept the CLT?
Yes. The Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy accept the CLT beginning with the class applying in 2026-27 (the Class of 2031). The Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy do not list it.
Does Texas accept the CLT?
Partly. In July 2026 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board told public universities they may consider CLT scores now for applicants outside automatic admission, and UT Austin’s admissions page accepts official CLT scores. The board plans a formal rules vote by January 2027 with statewide effect for Fall 2028.
Can you superscore the CLT?
CLT does not compile superscores itself. Florida Bright Futures superscores the CLT by combining your best section scores across reports, and individual colleges set their own policies, so check each school.
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Related ConnectPrep resources
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Sources
- CLT: Test overview and 2026-27 dates
- CLT: CLT10
- CLT: FAQs
- CLT: Calculator policy
- CLT: CLT vs SAT and concordance
- CLT: CLT vs ACT and concordance
- CLT: Colleges directory
- CLT: Service academies
- College Board: Higher ed brief on the CLT-SAT concordance
- Florida Bright Futures: FAS and FMS score requirements
- Texas Tribune: Conservative-favored college entrance exams allowed in Texas
- UT Austin: Freshman admission requirements
- University System of Georgia: Admission requirements 2025-26 to 2027-28
- Niner Times: UNC System approves the CLT for Fall 2027
- Arkansas Senate: Legislative Council approves the CLT
- Higher Ed Dive: Indiana public colleges must accept the CLT
- Inside Higher Ed: CLT continues growing
- U.S. Naval Academy: Admissions
- U.S. Air Force Academy: Requirements
- KBTX: Texas A&M experts label CLT moderate risk
This is a ConnectPrep resource page. ConnectPrep is an independent tutoring and admissions firm and is not affiliated with Classic Learning Initiatives, the College Board or ACT. College testing policies change often; confirm with each college before you apply. Last verified October 2, 2026.