A Comprehensive Guide to CLT Test Prep, Test Dates and Practice Questions in 2025

The Classical Learning Test (CLT) is gaining popularity as an alternative to standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, especially among students pursuing a classical education or homeschooling. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the CLT, including test structure, preparation tips, practice materials, and what colleges accept it.

What is the CLT Test?

The Classical Learning Test (CLT) is a standardized college entrance exam designed to assess students’ reasoning and comprehension skills in a way that reflects the classical education model. It emphasizes critical thinking, reading comprehension, and math, with a particular focus on philosophy, history, and literary classics.

Unlike traditional standardized tests, the CLT emphasizes the importance of a classical curriculum, with content often drawn from great works of Western literature, philosophy, and history.

Test Structure of the CLT

The CLT is composed of three main sections:

Section	Number of Questions	Time (minutes)
Verbal Reasoning	40	40
Grammar/Writing	40	35
Quantitative Reasoning	40	45

CLT Structure

Total Test Duration: 120 minutes
Total Number of Questions: 120 questions

Students must complete all three sections within the allotted time. Additionally, the test is offered entirely online, and students have access to a built-in calculator for specific questions in the Quantitative Reasoning section.

How Long is the CLT Test?

The CLT takes about 2 hours to complete, including breaks. Given its relatively shorter duration compared to other standardized tests, it allows students to remain focused without the fatigue that longer exams can induce.

CLT Test Scores

The CLT score is scaled out of 120 points, with each section contributing equally to the final score. Each correct answer awards one point, and there is no penalty for wrong answers.

The score breakdown looks like this:

Verbal Reasoning: 40 points
Grammar/Writing: 40 points
Quantitative Reasoning: 40 points

CLT Score Ranges

The average score on the CLT is around 75-85, with the highest possible score being 120. High-achieving students typically score 90 and above, while a score above 110 is considered exceptional.

What Colleges Accept the CLT Test?

Many colleges, particularly those with a focus on classical education, accept CLT scores in their admissions process. Some of the top colleges that accept CLT scores include:

For a complete and updated list of colleges that accept CLT scores, you can visit the official CLT website.

Which State has the most CLT accepting Schools?

Florida has the most CLT accepting colleges and universities according to the official CLT site here.

Florida boasts the highest number of universities accepting the Classic Learning Test (CLT), making it a leader in promoting this alternative to standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. The state’s commitment to educational diversity is reflected in the growing list of institutions that recognize the CLT, including prestigious schools like Ave Maria University and Florida Institute of Technology. The CLT emphasizes critical thinking and classical education principles, aligning well with many Florida universities’ academic values. This trend showcases Florida’s progressive approach to offering students more flexible pathways for college admissions.

CLT for Bright Futures

Florida students may use CLT scores to satisfy the minimum test score requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholarship (FAS) or the Florida Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholarship (FMS). For the 2024-2025 academic year:

A student who graduates in 2025 is eligible for an FAS award if he/she earns a 96 or above, and is eligible for the FMS award if he/she earns an 84 or above.
A students who graduates in 2026 is eligible for an FAS award if he/she earns a 95 or above, and is eligible for an FMS if he/she earns an 82 or above.

CLT Test Prep: How to Prepare

1. CLT Test Practice
Practice is essential for success on the CLT. The best way to prepare is to take a free CLT practice test, which is available on the CLT website. These practice tests simulate the format of the actual test and give you a sense of the types of questions you’ll encounter.

Many third-party websites and prep books also offer CLT test questions and answers PDF downloads for additional practice.

2. CLT Math Practice Test
The Quantitative Reasoning section, which is essentially the CLT’s math portion, covers a wide range of topics from algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus. A focused CLT math practice test can help hone your skills in these areas. Make sure you are comfortable with both calculator and non-calculator questions.

3. CLT Practice Test Answers
When preparing, it’s critical to review your mistakes. Many free CLT practice tests come with CLT practice test answers, allowing you to review what you got wrong and better understand the reasoning behind each correct answer. This is especially helpful for the quantitative reasoning portion, where the logic of problem-solving is key.

4. Verbal Reasoning & Grammar
The Verbal Reasoning and Grammar/Writing sections often involve complex texts drawn from classical literature. Reading works by authors like Homer, Shakespeare, and Aristotle, and practicing questions on vocabulary, sentence structure, and passage analysis will improve your performance in these sections.

5. CLT Test Prep Books
In addition to online resources, various test prep books specifically geared toward the CLT are available. Some offer full-length CLT practice tests, tips for specific sections, and explanations of answers.

CLT Test Dates

The CLT is offered multiple times a year. While the SAT and ACT are often administered in testing centers, the CLT can be taken online, even from home. For an up-to-date schedule of CLT test dates, check the official CLT registration page.

CLT Test Examples

Looking at CLT test examples will give you an understanding of the types of questions you might face. Below are some sample questions:

Verbal Reasoning Example: You may be asked to analyze a passage from a classic text and answer questions about the main idea, tone, and the author’s intentions.
Quantitative Reasoning Example: Expect algebraic word problems or geometry-related questions that require logical reasoning, not just rote calculation.

These examples help you practice not only answering questions but also managing your time efficiently.

CLT vs SAT and ACT

The Classical Learning Test (CLT) is a relatively new college entrance exam that aims to serve as an alternative to the more widely known SAT and ACT. It is rooted in a classical education model, emphasizing classic literature, philosophical texts, and logic, as opposed to the more modern, skills-based approach of the SAT and ACT. Here’s a detailed comparison of the CLT with the SAT and the ACT, highlighting key differences in content, structure, scoring, and college acceptance.

CLT vs. SAT

1. Content and Focus

CLT: The CLT emphasizes classical education, featuring passages from authors such as Aristotle, Aquinas, and C.S. Lewis. Its focus is on critical thinking, philosophy, and literature, encouraging a deep engagement with Western intellectual traditions. Math problems often require logical reasoning rather than pure computation.
SAT: The SAT focuses on modern texts and subjects, testing evidence-based reading, writing, and math. The reading section features more contemporary literature, historical documents, social science, and natural science texts. Math covers topics like algebra, geometry, and data analysis, with an emphasis on problem-solving and real-world applications.

2. Structure

CLT: The CLT is a two-hour test with three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section is 40 minutes long, and the test is taken online in a proctored environment.
SAT: The SAT is a three-hour test (with an optional essay, no longer offered in 2024), with two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. The Math section is divided into two parts: one allowing the use of a calculator, and one without.

3. Scoring

CLT: The CLT uses a score range from 0 to 120. Unlike the SAT, which focuses on correctness, the CLT emphasizes the reasoning behind answers. There are no penalties for wrong answers.
SAT: The SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale, with 800 points each for the EBRW and Math sections. It does not penalize wrong answers, but raw scores are based on the number of correct answers.

Find more about CLT scoring here
For a deep dive into SAT scoring, check this page

4. College Acceptance

CLT: The CLT is accepted by over 200 colleges, primarily classically-oriented and religious institutions. Its growing popularity reflects the rise of classical education models.
SAT: The SAT is accepted by almost every college and university in the United States and many abroad, making it a far more universally recognized test for college admissions.

Check out the list of CLT-accepting colleges here
More on SAT-accepting institutions can be found here

5. Testing Environment

CLT: The CLT is administered online in a proctored setting, either at a testing center or from home. This offers flexibility but requires reliable internet access.
SAT: The SAT is traditionally administered in person at designated testing centers. However, the SAT is transitioning to a digital format starting in 2024.

For more on digital SAT transition, read here

CLT vs. ACT

1. Content and Focus

CLT: Similar to the comparison with the SAT, the CLT emphasizes classical texts and philosophical inquiry. Its test takers are often expected to engage with complex, foundational texts that may be foreign to students used to modern education models.
ACT: The ACT focuses more on skills and knowledge tied to high school curricula, with sections on English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional essay. It has a stronger emphasis on science reasoning than either the CLT or the SAT.

For a deeper understanding of ACT content, check out ACT Test Overview

2. Structure

CLT: The CLT consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. There is no science section.
ACT: The ACT is a 2-hour 55-minute test, with four mandatory sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, and an optional writing test. Each section tests specific subject areas rather than general reasoning or philosophical content.

Explore more about ACT test structure here

3. Scoring

CLT: The CLT scores range from 0 to 120, with no penalty for incorrect answers.
ACT: The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36 for each section, with a composite score averaging all four section scores. Like the CLT, there is no penalty for wrong answers.

For more about ACT scoring, visit this link

4. College Acceptance

CLT: While growing in popularity, the CLT is accepted mainly by classical and religious colleges.
ACT: The ACT is accepted by all U.S. colleges and a significant number of international institutions, making it a highly recognized exam for college admissions.

See the list of ACT-accepting schools here

5. Testing Environment

CLT: The CLT is taken online, allowing students to take the test from home or in a proctored environment at a designated testing center.
ACT: The ACT is typically taken at in-person testing centers, though there are provisions for students needing accommodations. A digital version is also available in some regions.

For more details on ACT testing environments, visit this page

Conclusion

The CLT appeals to students who have received a classical education or those interested in the humanities, philosophy, and logic. Its focus on timeless texts sets it apart from both the SAT and ACT, which are more skills-based and aligned with modern educational standards. However, the SAT and ACT have far wider acceptance at universities across the U.S. and internationally. Students considering the CLT should check with their target colleges to ensure that the test is accepted as part of the admissions process.

CLT Test Practice Questions Math PDF

Here are the 10 challenging CLT math questions for you to work on.

Question 1: Hard – Algebra (Exponents)

Solve for ( x ) in the equation $3^{2x+1} = 81$ .

A) $\frac{2}{3}$
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3

Question 2: Hard – Geometry (Trapezoids)

A trapezoid has bases of length 8 and 14, and the height is 6. What is the area of the trapezoid?

A) 56
B) 66
C) 72
D) 84

Question 3: Hard – Algebra (Quadratic Equations)

Solve the quadratic equation $5x^2 - 4x - 3 = 0$ .

A) $x = 1$ , $x = -\frac{3}{5}$
B) $x = 2$ , $x = -\frac{3}{2}$
C) $x = \frac{3}{5}$ , $x = -1$
D) $x = -1$ , $x = \frac{3}{5}$

Question 4: Hard – Trigonometry with Diagram

In the triangle below, angle $\theta$ is an acute angle and you are given the following dimensions:

What is $\cos \theta$ ?

A) $\frac{3}{5}$
B) $\frac{5}{\sqrt{34}}$
C) $\frac{5}{\sqrt{29}}$
D) $\frac{5}{\sqrt{41}}$

Question 5: Very Hard – Complex Numbers

Simplify $(2 + 3i)(1 - 4i)$ .

A) $14 - 5i$
B) $2 + 12i$
C) $-10 + 11i$
D) $10 - 5i$

Question 6: Hard – Probability

A standard deck of cards has 52 cards. Two cards are drawn randomly one after another, without replacement. What is the probability that both cards are queens?

A) $\frac{1}{221}$
B) $\frac{4}{663}$
C) $\frac{1}{169}$
D) $\frac{2}{663}$

Question 7: Very Hard – Functions

Given $f(x) = \frac{x+3}{x-2}$ and $g(x) = \frac{1}{x+2}$ , find $(f \circ g)(x)$ .

A) $\frac{x + 5}{x}$
B) $\frac{4}{x+4}$
C) $\frac{5}{x^2+2x}$
D) $\frac{x + 3}{x}$

Question 8: Very Hard – Logarithms

Solve for $x$ in the equation $\log_3 (x^2 - 3x) = 2$ .

A) $x = 6$ , $x = -3$
B) $x = 6$ , $x = 4$
C) $x = 9$ , $x = 3$
D) $x = 6$ , $x = 9$

Question 9: Extremely Hard – Calculus

Evaluate the integral $\int_0^1 (3x^2 + 2x) \, dx$ .

A) $\frac{5}{3}$
B) $\frac{7}{3}$
C) 1
D) $\frac{4}{3}$

Question 10: Extremely Hard – Geometry (Circle Geometry)

In a circle with center $O$ , a chord $AB$ has a length of 12 units. The distance from the center $O$ to the chord is 5 units. What is the radius of the circle?

A) $\sqrt{61}$
B) 7
C) $\sqrt{89}$
D) 6

Conclusion

Preparing for the CLT test doesn’t have to be daunting if you approach it with the right resources and strategies. By focusing on practice tests, reviewing mistakes, and engaging with classical texts, you’ll be well-prepared for success. Whether you’re aiming for a specific score or targeting certain colleges that accept CLT results, consistency and effort in your prep will pay off.

Good luck!