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Exam information
What you need to know about the CLT
The CLT is a college entrance exam, similar to the ACT or SAT, but with a distinct focus on classical education. It’s primarily aimed at high school juniors and seniors. Many colleges and universities, especially those with a classical or liberal arts focus, accept or even prefer the CLT as a part of their admissions process.
There are three sections in the CLT with 40 questions each:
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Verbal Reasoning—analyzing and comprehending text
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Grammar and Writing—editing and improving text
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Quantitative Reasoning—mathematics and logic
Emphasis on Classical Education Elements
There are three main academic disciplines on the CLT:
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logic—Logic is the art of reasoning, and its inclusion on this test ensures that students are adept at making sound arguments and can discern logical fallacies.
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philosophy—By integrating philosophy-related questions, the CLT encourages students to grapple with profound questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, reason, and human nature. This prepares them for deeper intellectual engagements in college and life.
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significant literary works—The test does more than just broadly focus on literature, it delves into classical and significant works that have shaped civilizations and thought processes over centuries. This not only assesses the student’s literary knowledge but also their understanding of cultural, historical, and philosophical contexts.
In addition to the CLT, there are three other exams offered by Classic Learning Initiatives. The CLT10 is designed for high school sophomores and, apart from gauging their academic prowess, can also qualify them for scholarships. The CLT8 is crafted to assess the foundational knowledge of middle school students, while the CLT 3-6 caters to younger students, providing a measure of their grounding in the basic concepts of classical education.
Exam facts
Answers to all your questions about the CLT
Table of Contents
What are the costs?
Beginning June 1, 2026, the cost of taking the CLT is $112. This includes an analytic report spotlighting weaknesses and practice questions in those areas, as well as unlimited score reports sent to colleges.
What should I bring?
Depending on the site and the type of CLT you take, you will receive specific instructions about any materials needed on test day. You’ll need to contact your testing administrator about this. It is important to note that no test site allows calculators.
How is it scored?
Scores on the CLT range from 0 to 120, with the possibility of earning 40 points for each of the three sections. There are no penalties for wrong answers, so it is in your best interest to attempt to answer every question. You will receive your scores within three weeks. A score on the optional essay is not included in the basic score.
What kind of job can I get?
The Classical Learning Test (CLT) is not specifically related to a particular job but is an alternative college entrance exam designed to assess a student’s preparation for college-level work.
Am I eligible?
Students from any high school (not just classical schools) can take the CLT, and you may take it multiple times. To register after completing high school, you’ll need to furnish the year of your high school graduation and your GPA at the time of graduation.
Why does it matter?
Like scores on the ACT and SAT, your CLT scores can be used for college admissions and scholarship decisions. No single test is the only source of information colleges and other entities receive about you, but good test scores can help your chances.
What salary can I expect?
While a high score on any college entrance exam is not a guarantee of future earning potential, good results can pave the way to a higher education path that will lead to higher salaries.
When is it available?
The CLT is often given in schools, but there is also an at-home proctored version of the test.
How much time is allowed?
The actual testing time is two hours, but there will also be an approximately 20-minute period of instructions before the test. Also, students who choose to take the optional essay part of the CLT given in schools will be given an additional 30 minutes.
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