U.S. military academies welcome the CLT
The Classic Learning Test (CLT), a college entrance exam recognized as an alternative to the SAT or ACT, will soon be accepted by U.S. military academies for admissions, a major advancement for Service Academies and their applicants.
Starting in February 2026, students applying to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any of the five other renowned Service Academies will be able to submit CLT scores as part of their admissions applications. This important policy shift expands CLT acceptance from primarily smaller liberal arts colleges to prestigious military academies, signaling broader recognition of the exam’s value. The CLT continues to gain traction, with over 300 institutions now incorporating it into their admissions processes.
Just in time for the 2027 admissions cycle, applicants aspiring to top leadership positions within the U.S. military can enhance their chances of admission to elite military academies by submitting CLT scores as part of their Service Academy applications.
What is the CLT?
The CLT exam is a standardized college admissions test that evaluates students’ competencies in math, reading, and writing, skills essential for undergraduate success. Established in 2015, the CLT test is designed to measure reasoning ability, critical thinking, and advanced reading skills, with a particular emphasis on classical texts, philosophy, literature, and history. Unlike the SAT or ACT, which tend to focus on contemporary educational standards, the CLT draws heavily from the Western intellectual tradition.
Test-takers encounter passages from prominent thinkers such as Aristotle, Augustine, C.S. Lewis, and Shakespeare. CLT test scores are now used by a growing number of colleges during the admissions process, providing an alternative measure of academic achievement.
What is a Service Academy?
U.S. military academies are among the most prestigious institutions in the country, specifically designed to train and educate future leaders at the top levels of the armed forces. Each of these government-operated Service Academies represents a distinct military branch or service:
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY
- U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY
These highly selective institutions offer a tuition-free education and virtually guarantee a direct path into the officer ranks upon graduation. Admissions are also extremely competitive: most applicants must secure a nomination from a member of Congress to be considered (except for the Coast Guard Academy). Acceptance rates to these elite schools range from around 10% to 25%, with the U.S. Naval Academy being the most exclusive. The acceptance of the CLT at these schools underscores their commitment to academic rigor and their alignment with the CLT’s focus on traditional learning and values.
Why this matters
College admissions have undergone significant changes in recent years, with the increasing adoption of test-optional policies following the COVID-19 pandemic. For a long time, however, the admissions space was stagnant and dominated by two exams: the ACT and the SAT. While the SAT and the ACT offer a great benchmark for performance, they may not be well-suited for all learners, especially those who come from non-traditional educational backgrounds.
Wider acceptance of the CLT means that:
- Future students at military academies and other specialized schools will have a wider variety of test options to choose from
- Students skilled in analytical reasoning and who enjoy the rigor of classical tests will now have more of an edge
- Students who learn best through unconventional teaching methods will have more of an opportunity to excel on their admissions tests
- Home-schooled students, for whom the CLT is a fantastic option, will have more opportunities open to them
These new changes also follow a period of growth for the exam, which has reached several important milestones since its founding:
- In 2023, Florida became the first state to allow the CLT for admission at public universities
- Since then, several other states have either passed or are in the process of adopting similar policies (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming), with Texas now poised to follow suit.
- The number of CLT colleges increased rapidly from approximately 140 in 2018 to over 300 by the end of 2025, probably due to the more widespread adoption by state scholarship programs.
With military Service Academies, some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, now accepting this test, the CLT has solidified its reputation as a valid exam choice for high school students.
What education leaders are saying
The official organization behind the CLT has released this statement in response to the new change:
The CLT stands unique among college entrance exams as offering the most comprehensive picture of a student’s intellectual capacity, rewarding students who demonstrate strong critical thinking skills and rigorous educational formation. The high standards of the CLT reflect those of our nation’s Service Academies, allowing test takers to more fully demonstrate their academic and personal readiness for military service. The CLT’s emphasis on critical reasoning and classical texts aligns with the academies’ missions to cultivate disciplined thinkers and ethical leaders. It also signals that the “test-optional era” didn’t eliminate assessments; it diversified them. Institutions are not abandoning tests, they’re choosing tests that align with their values.
Members of Clayborne Education, a test prep provider that specializes in college admissions, also shared their thoughts on LinkedIn:
U.S. military academies will now accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for admissions. This is a watershed moment for standardized testing. It’s not just about broadening options, it reflects a deeper recalibration of what institutions value in assessing applicants.
These perspectives underscore how the acceptance of the CLT marks not just a procedural update, but a meaningful redefinition of what academic readiness can look like.
What other schools accept the CLT?
The CLT is becoming an increasingly recognized pathway for college admissions, primarily among smaller liberal arts institutions with a religious emphasis. Many CLT colleges prioritize the distinct academic perspective this entrance exam offers. For students considering the CLT test for college, here’s a brief list of well-known CLT colleges currently accepting the exam:
- Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan
- Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas
- Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Christendom College in Warren County, Virginia
- New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho
Additionally, the number of colleges that choose to accept the CLT test for college admissions is expanding rapidly. Larger universities, such as the University of Florida and the University of Dallas, now recognize CLT results in their admissions requirements. As more schools join the movement to accept the CLT test, students have access to greater flexibility and choice during the college application process.
Conclusion
Recent policy updates at U.S. military academies allowing the CLT exam for admissions mark a significant shift for both the test itself and the broader landscape of college entrance requirements. By accepting CLT scores, these highly selective institutions give applicants more flexibility to submit the assessment that best reflects their abilities and academic strengths. This change also benefits strong candidates who thrive in classical learning environments, enabling them to submit CLT results that may better showcase their potential at schools that value this alternative approach. As more major undergraduate institutions recognize the merits of the CLT, its standing as a viable substitute for the SAT and ACT continues to rise, shaping evolving priorities and future trends in college admissions.
