Public Texas colleges approve the CLT; more states to follow

Texas public colleges and universities are set to accept CLT scores for undergraduate admissions, a change expected to take effect for the Fall 2028 admissions cycle after the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board finalizes its rules (targeted for January 2027). The Board’s move lets public schools in Texas, home to one of the largest public university systems in the country, consider the CLT alongside the ACT and SAT. It follows a wave of rule changes at public institutions nationwide that now recognize the exam.

Launched in 2015 as an alternative to more common college admissions tests, the CLT continues to grow in popularity as more schools adopt policies to allow CLT scores to be considered in admissions decisions. Test scores, while not required at all schools, can provide a valuable data point for university admissions teams to assess whether a student is prepared for undergraduate study. With more public universities partnering with the CLT, students now have more testing options, and schools have greater flexibility to evaluate college readiness and expand their talent pool.

What is the CLT, and how is it different from the ACT and SAT?

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a college entrance exam that offers students an alternative to the SAT and ACT for college admissions. Developed by the organization of the same name, the CLT is designed around the principles of a traditional liberal arts education, with an emphasis on reading comprehension, grammar, mathematics, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. Its content draws heavily from history, literature, philosophy, and the Western intellectual tradition.

One of the defining features of the CLT exam is its use of longer reading passages from influential authors, philosophers, and scholars such as Aristotle, Plato, Adam Smith, and Jane Austen. Instead of focusing solely on finding correct answers, students are expected to analyze complex ideas, evaluate arguments, and connect themes to broader concepts and real-world situations. This emphasis on thoughtful analysis sets the CLT apart from many other standardized college admissions tests.

Students typically take the Classic Learning Test during their junior or senior year of high school as an alternative to the SAT or ACT. The exam is designed to measure the reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills needed for success in college while also assessing higher-order thinking abilities such as logical inference, evidence-based reasoning, and reflective judgment, competencies that are valuable for undergraduate coursework and beyond. More than 180,000 students took the CLT in recent years, a sharp increase from a few thousand in its first year. The exam is especially popular and well-suited for students taught in private, liberal arts, or non-traditional settings, including homeschooled students.

Today, over 350 colleges and universities partner with the CLT, and more schools are planning to accept the test in upcoming admissions cycles. While the majority of schools that accept the CLT are smaller, liberal arts, and faith-based institutions, there is growing interest among public university systems in using the test to measure students’ competency.

Texas’s new CLT rule

In July 2026, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the governing body responsible for policies related to the Texas public education system, voted to advance rules recognizing the CLT as an approved college entrance exam for undergraduate admissions. If finalized, the change would apply to students who begin studying at Texas public schools in Fall 2028, making it the first admissions cycle in which students could use CLT scores for admission. With the CLT recognized in Texas, home to one of the largest and most expansive public university systems in the U.S., the exam will reach a broader audience of test-takers.

While the process must still be finalized, the CLT’s administering organization called the change a “major milestone” that exemplifies the “growing momentum for expanded assessment choice in Texas.” Students and families who want to learn more can follow updates at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s official website.

More states move forward to accept the CLT

Texas isn’t the only state that has recently moved forward with adopting the CLT. More schools and public systems in North Carolina, Georgia, and other areas are expected to begin accepting the CLT as soon as Fall 2027.

University of North Carolina (UNC)

The University of North Carolina System is set to implement a policy that recognizes the CLT for undergraduate admissions starting in Fall 2027. This will give students applying to UNC institutions another nationally recognized testing option, offering greater flexibility in demonstrating their readiness for college.

University System of Georgia

The University System of Georgia is preparing to begin accepting the CLT for undergraduate admissions in Fall 2027. The CLT organization will work with state lawmakers reviewing the CLT to file scholarship-related legislation in January 2027.

Expansion in Indiana

Indiana recently expanded college entrance exam choice through the passage of Senate Bill 88, which recognizes the CLT as an admissions exam that may be used in applications to the state’s public universities. The CLT will continue to collaborate with lawmakers and a growing coalition of supporters to introduce legislation to expand testing options for private schools participating in the state’s school choice program.

Iowa’s Regents Admission Index

The Iowa Board of Regents recently approved the inclusion of the CLT in its Regents Admission Index (RAI), a system that allows students to qualify for automatic admission to the state’s public universities. The update will be reflected once the board finalizes the new RAI calculator in August 2026.

States that currently accept the CLT

As of right now, the following states allow students to submit the CLT to their colleges for admissions consideration, scholarship calculations, or both:

• State University System of Florida: All 12 public universities accept CLT scores for admission
• University of Arkansas System: CLT scores are accepted by all public campuses
• Oklahoma public universities: State systems accept CLT scores across public institutions
• University System of Louisiana: Accepts the CLT for state scholarships
• University of Wyoming: Accepts the CLT for state scholarships
• University System of Ohio: Legislation in process to accept the CLT

In addition, the five U.S. military service academies now accept the CLT for admission, further expanding access for students who excel on this long-form examination.

What’s ahead for the CLT

The Classic Learning Test organization is continuing to work with state lawmakers, agencies, and higher-education leaders to further expand the pool of schools that accept the CLT. The organization has laid out the following priorities:

• Increase the number of colleges and university systems that accept the CLT alongside the ACT and SAT.
• Work with lawmakers to ensure students can use the CLT wherever other nationally recognized college entrance exams, such as the ACT and SAT, are accepted.
• Expand assessment choice by verifying that private K-12 schools remain independent of state assessment mandates (the CLT also administers benchmark assessments for middle and high schoolers).
• Monitor new school choice legislation and identify opportunities to allow schools to consider the CLT and expand educational choice.

As awareness and acceptance of the CLT continue to grow, more students will be able to choose from a greater variety of college admissions exams, letting them pick the test that truly shows their strengths.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the CLT

Why take the CLT?

The CLT is an excellent choice for students skilled in complex textual analysis and classical learning methods. For enthusiasts of classic literature and writing, it provides a rewarding assessment that matches their strengths and interests. While achieving high scores on the ACT and SAT generally depends on skills acquired through standard instruction, the CLT emphasizes critical and logical thinking, even in the quantitative section.

For students from non-traditional backgrounds, such as homeschooled students or those in faith-based high schools, the CLT may offer an advantage, since it is tailored for those taught through holistic, text-centered curricula rather than conventional methods.

The exam is also highly flexible: at about two hours, it’s shorter than the ACT and is offered more frequently throughout the year. It can be taken at home or in a proctored environment, with remote proctoring providing a convenient, accessible option not available for the SAT or ACT. The key consideration remains school acceptance, as fewer institutions currently recognize the CLT. Even so, it’s a strong alternative for students aiming for schools that value traditional, text-based approaches.

What colleges accept the CLT test?

The CLT is mainly accepted by smaller, private schools with a religious affiliation, such as Christendom College, Wheaton College, and Hillsdale College. Many of these schools offer special CLT scholarships for those with high scores (always double-check whether a school accepts the CLT for admissions decisions or only uses scores for scholarship calculations).

Increasingly, large public universities and school systems are beginning to accept the CLT more widely. As of 2026, all five of the U.S. Military Academies (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Mercant Marine Academy) allow the CLT to be used to assess applicants.

How is the CLT scored?

CLT scoring is simple: the test has 120 multiple-choice questions, each worth one point, on a 0-120 scale with no penalty for wrong answers. Each of the three sections can contribute up to 40 points to your total score. The average CLT score is typically between 75 and 80, while scores above 90 are considered competitive. The exam has three main parts, excluding an optional essay:

• Verbal Reasoning (40 questions)
• Grammar and Writing (40 questions)
• Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)

Each part is divided into content domains. In Verbal Reasoning, the primary subsections are Analysis and Comprehension, which involve interpreting and comparing passages. Grammar and Writing questions focus on agreement, punctuation, sentence structure, style, and word choice. The Quantitative Reasoning section covers Algebra, Geometry, and Mathematical Reasoning.

How do CLT scores compare to the SAT and ACT?

The official CLT concordance table helps test-takers see how CLT scores compare to scores on the ACT and SAT, the two most common college admission exams. For instance, a CLT score of 70 is roughly equivalent to a 1080 on the SAT or a 21 on the ACT. The table below shows CLT scores in 20-point intervals with their corresponding SAT and ACT score ranges:

Since the ACT and SAT are more commonly used for college admissions, students can refer to the table above to see how their CLT scores compare to a larger population. When choosing between exams for college applications, it’s helpful to start with practice tests for the ACT, SAT, and CLT, then compare your results. You may discover that the CLT’s format and content suit you better, even if the SAT and ACT are more widely recognized.

Do CLT colleges also accept the SAT and ACT?

Most colleges that accept the CLT also accept the SAT and ACT, so the CLT is an alternative rather than an additional requirement. Those two exams remain the most common for undergraduate admissions, emphasizing technical math, grammar, and reading skills. The decision on which test(s) to take largely depends on your assessment preferences and the range of schools you’re targeting. If you’ve already chosen schools that partner with the CLT, you may not need to take any additional exams, but always confirm each school’s specific requirements.

How do I register for the CLT?

To register for the CLT exam, start by creating an account on the official CLT website. After setting up your account, select the appropriate exam to register. Be mindful when choosing, as the CLT3-8 and CLT10 are aimed at younger students. The online platform lets you select your preferred test date, choose between in-person or remote testing, and securely pay your registration fee.

For optimal scores, plan to dedicate 3 to 4 months to focused preparation; consistent study and practice will improve your chances of achieving a high score.

Final thoughts

New changes in school policies are broadening the reach of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), with some of the largest public university systems in the U.S. moving to accept the exam alongside the ACT and SAT. While the SAT and ACT have long been considered the standard for college admissions, more students will now have the chance to explore another testing option. For students who prefer the CLT’s style of text-based examination, this expansion will help those interested in public universities across the country better showcase their skills and abilities. The variety of schools that accept the CLT also continues to grow, giving students interested in private religious schools, large research universities, and service academies more options for their admissions.