By Amelia Jewett ’27
Standardized tests have long been dominated by the SAT and ACT as part of the college application process. A recent development within the Trump administration, however, has pushed to challenge this norm. A new college entrance exam centered on ancient Western civilization is gaining popularity in Republican-favored states.
Known as the Classic Learning Test (CLT), the exam was created in 2015 but has only recently gained traction following government endorsements. While the SAT and ACT typically use shorter excerpts and reading passages, the CLT draws heavily from works by well-known historical figures, including philosophers such as Plato, scientists, and literary authors like Shakespeare.
Jeremy Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test, said in an interview with Education Week, “Students need to have a deep understanding of these texts, or you can’t be educated in any serious sense.” In contrast to the SAT and ACT, the CLT math section does not allow the use of a calculator.
According to its official website, the mission of the Classic Learning Test is to “reconnect knowledge and virtue by providing meaningful assessments and connections to seekers of truth, goodness, and beauty.” The Pentagon has announced that the nation’s service academies will now accept CLT scores. In addition to U.S. military schools, a growing number of public universities have begun approving the exam for undergraduate admissions and state-funded scholarships, including institutions in Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming.
The exam has been particularly embraced by religious private schools and homeschool communities, in part due to its inclusion of works by Christian theologians and saints.
Widespread debate has emerged regarding the credibility of the CLT. Critics argue that the test lacks sufficient peer-reviewed research and evidence supporting its effectiveness in predicting college success. Concerns have also been raised about test security, as students are permitted to take the exam at home.
External research from the Iowa Board of Regents recommends that the CLT not be used for public university admissions in that state. The report concludes that the exam is not predictive of college performance or student outcomes, lacks evidence for use in course placement, and is based on claims derived from unrepresentative samples and insufficient testing.
While there may be a place for alternative assessments in education, the strong claims associated with the Classic Learning Test currently lack sufficient supporting evidence. Further research is needed to validate these assertions. The expansion of the CLT, however, reflects broader political efforts by some conservatives to reshape educational standards.
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