You may have heard of the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the SAT and ACT. But what exactly is this test and how does it work? In this post, I’m going to break down the CLT and its benefits.
First of all, I have taken the assessments from the CLT suite seven times. I’ve taken the CLT8 twice (once in seventh grade and once in eighth grade), and I’ve taken the CLT10 five times (twice in ninth grade and three times in tenth grade). I have yet to take the CLT, which is the actual college entrance exam, but I plan to take it this coming year (which will be my junior year).
Overview
The CLT suite of assessments offers four groups of tests: CLT3-6 (for 3rd-6th graders, a different test for each grade), CLT 8 (for seventh and eighth grade), CLT 10 (for ninth and tenth graders), and CLT (college entrance exam for 11th and 12th graders). The CLT3-6 tests have four sections, including two verbal reasoning sections (reading comprehension) and two quantitative reasoning (math) sections. The other tests have three sections each: verbal reasoning, grammar/writing, and quantitative reasoning. Each section in the higher grade levels has 40 multiple-choice questions, giving a total of 120 questions. The tests are scored out of 120 with no penalty for incorrect answers. The verbal reasoning and grammar/writing sections each have four passages. Each passage has ten corresponding questions testing a variety of different areas.
The CLT8
The CLT8 is an assessment designed for seventh and eighth grades. It gives middle schoolers a chance to practice taking standardized tests and gives parents an idea of how their children are doing in school. When I took the CLT in seventh grade I did find it a bit challenging, especially in the math section. The quantitative reasoning includes quite a bit of algebra, which can make it difficult for seventh graders who have only had pre-algebra. However, the next year I found the material very relevant to the coursework I had done in eighth grade. In fact, I raised my math score by 11 points from 7th-8th grade. The CLT8 used to only be offered once a year, but it is now offered about three times per year. The test is 2 hours and 15 minutes long, and offered two days at a time, usually a Tuesday or Wednesday. However, you do have to take the entire test in one sitting. The test is $34, including analytics. It can be either remotely proctored or taken at a school if your school offers it. Parents must proctor for the at-home option.
The CLT10
The CLT10 is an alternative to the PSAT. Top scorers have the opportunity for a National, Regional, or Distinguished Scholar recognition. Distinguished Scholars are the top scorers in their schools, so homeschoolers without an umbrella school cannot qualify for that recognition. Regional Scholars are in the top 5% of their region (there are five regions). I achieved Regional Scholar for the Southeast as a freshman. Freshmen and sophomores are eligible for both Regional and Distinguished recognitions. However, neither offers scholarships; they are only for recognition and transcript boosters. The last award is only for sophomores and offers a scholarship. The National Scholar award is for the top 50 sophomores in the United States. It is a $2500 scholarship that can be used toward any CLT partner college, the number of which increases every year. This year, starting with my high school class, CLT is also offering the opportunity to use the award at any school with an “A” or “B” grade from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.
The CLT10 does include geometry, which can be difficult for ninth graders who are currently taking a geometry course, especially if you are taking the exam in the first semester of your freshman year. Even as a sophomore, the geometry questions were the most difficult for me.
The CLT10 is offered about five times per year: two times per semester and once in the summer. The test is 2 hours long and can be taken on either Tuesday or Wednesday for the date you signed up for. Without a waiver code, the test is $44. However, I’m not sure if my family ever paid for a CLT10 test. Most of the time colleges sponsor a CLT10 if you fill out an interest form. The results are usually available a week from the Tuesday the test opened. As with the CLT8, it is offered in participating schools or remotely proctored. The in-person tests also have an essay option.
The CLT is a very high-quality test. It is extremely easy to register for and the process of setting it up and taking it is always very smooth. One of my favorite parts of the test is the reading passages. They are always so interesting and written by renowned classic authors, such as Jane Austen, Augustine of Hippo, Benjamin Franklin, and Boethius. The CLT is also very logic- focused and the math section even includes specific logic cross-sections.
This was only a brief overview of the CLT and there is so much more to say, so look for more CLT posts in the future!
Why did your family choose this particular test as opposed to the CAT (or similar)? Did you use any other standardized tests to compare. This is interesting. I’ve never heard of this test.
Hello, Mrs. Trejo! Thank you for commenting! We chose this test for a couple reasons. First, it is very homeschool-friendly and is supposed to match very closely with what a common classical curriculum might look like. For instance, the authors used in the reading passages are very often authors of classic books, not modern articles like you may find on the SAT or ACT.
The CLT is also a college entrance exam that is accepted by most of the colleges I personally have looked into. The CLT8 is a kind of practice test for the CLT10 and CLT. So while it can be used as just another standardized test, it also prepares the student to be comfortable taking the college entrance exam later. The CLT10 also has a national scholarship and regional recognitions available. However, it is not recognized by every college or university, so it is something to look into if you are taking it as an entrance exam.
As for other standardized tests, I have taken the ACT and PSAT. I enjoyed the CLT much more than either of the tests, as it is very easy to register for and can be remotely proctored. The overall test also just has a higher quality than either the PSAT or ACT in terms of the question types and the passages available. Plus, the scoring is very straightforward (each question is worth one point).
I have not taken the CAT. I’ve never lived somewhere that requires homeschoolers to take standardized tests, so until I started the CLT8 in seventh grade, I had only taken one standardized exam when I was in fourth grade. However, my family will likely use the CLT3-6 (this is the first year it will be remotely proctored) for my younger siblings as it will give them early practice with exams and will allow them to take it from home. The ability to be remotely proctored and taken on the computer as opposed to bubbling in answers is just so much more convenient as well.
I hope this helps!
Why did your family choose this particular test as opposed to the CAT (or similar)? Did you use any other standardized tests to compare. This is interesting. I’ve never heard of this test.
Hello, Mrs. Trejo! Thank you for commenting! We chose this test for a couple reasons. First, it is very homeschool-friendly and is supposed to match very closely with what a common classical curriculum might look like. For instance, the authors used in the reading passages are very often authors of classic books, not modern articles like you may find on the SAT or ACT.
The CLT is also a college entrance exam that is accepted by most of the colleges I personally have looked into. The CLT8 is a kind of practice test for the CLT10 and CLT. So while it can be used as just another standardized test, it also prepares the student to be comfortable taking the college entrance exam later. The CLT10 also has a national scholarship and regional recognitions available. However, it is not recognized by every college or university, so it is something to look into if you are taking it as an entrance exam.
As for other standardized tests, I have taken the ACT and PSAT. I enjoyed the CLT much more than either of the tests, as it is very easy to register for and can be remotely proctored. The overall test also just has a higher quality than either the PSAT or ACT in terms of the question types and the passages available. Plus, the scoring is very straightforward (each question is worth one point).
I have not taken the CAT. I’ve never lived somewhere that requires homeschoolers to take standardized tests, so until I started the CLT8 in seventh grade, I had only taken one standardized exam when I was in fourth grade. However, my family will likely use the CLT3-6 (this is the first year it will be remotely proctored) for my younger siblings as it will give them early practice with exams and will allow them to take it from home. The ability to be remotely proctored and taken on the computer as opposed to bubbling in answers is just so much more convenient as well.
I hope this helps!