Public universities in the state of Texas will begin accepting the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for college admissions on Aug. 1.
"The CLT is a classical alternative to the SAT and ACT, containing excerpts from classical and historical texts. Co-founder Jeremy Tate said he created the exam to “challenge the monopoly” of the College Board, which he called the “unelected gatekeeper of American education.” According to Tate, the CLT was not meant to be a “niche alternative” to other standardized tests, but to instead be a legitimate competitor. Now, states like Texas are making this a reality. . . .
With this change, Texas becomes one of several states that now accept the CLT for public university admissions. Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Oklahoma already accept the test as part of their public university systems. In total, more than 360 public and private colleges and universities accept the CLT as a standardized testing option.
Service academies also recently began accepting the CLT under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Hegseth directed the academies to accept the test, calling it the “gold standard.” Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., took this a step further and added an amendment requiring the service academies to accept the exam into the 2027 military budget. This would make it more difficult for future administrations to undo Hegseth’s decision.
The CLT’s rise coincides with the rise of classical education in America. There are now approximately 900 classical schools throughout the country, and many more parents choose to homeschool using classical curriculum. These schools use teaching methods dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and emphasize Western civilization."
