The CLT10: what 9th and 10th graders need to know
The CLT10 is the Classic Learning Test for 9th and 10th graders, used as an alternative to the PSAT and the PreACT.
Updated October 29, 2026
At a glance
| CLT10 | |
|---|---|
| Who | 9th and 10th graders |
| Sections | Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, Quantitative Reasoning (no calculator) |
| Time | About 2 hours |
| Scores | Each section 0 to 40; total 0 to 120. No penalty for wrong answers. |
| Cost | $69 at home |
| Essay | Optional, in-school testing only |
| Awards | Sophomores who take it are eligible for the National Award, a $2,500 scholarship to any CLT Partner College. |
| Homeschool | Meets end-of-year testing requirements in most states. |
CLT10 to PSAT converter
From the official CLT10 to PSAT concordance table (CLT10 scores 40 to 120).
How to practice for the CLT10
The CLT10 has the same three sections and the same question styles as the CLT, with a younger reader in mind. So the best practice is CLT-style practice at the right level:
- Owl Test Prep Junior (grades 7 to 10) builds the reading, grammar and math skills step by step, with short lessons and a friendly Owl-y.
- CLT practice gives full-length timed sets in all three sections, with every answer explained. Start with easier sets; the app moves up as you get questions right.
Owl Test Prep's practice is original and written to the CLT's published format. The free CLT10-style practice test has 120 questions with the real section timing and every question explained; it gives a raw score only, with no official score or percentile. It is not the official CLT10.
Questions people ask
What is the CLT10?
An online college-prep test for 9th and 10th graders from Classic Learning Initiatives, an alternative to the PSAT and the PreACT.
How much does the CLT10 cost?
$69 for the at-home test. Classic Learning Initiatives sometimes lists discounts, such as a limited 50% code for one fall 2026 date through the Ashbrook Center.
How is the CLT10 scored?
Like the CLT: three sections out of 40 each, for a total out of 120, counting right answers only.
Does the CLT10 count for National Merit?
No. National Merit uses the PSAT/NMSQT. The CLT10 has its own awards, including a $2,500 National Award for sophomores.
How does a CLT10 score compare to the PSAT?
On the official table, a CLT10 90 corresponds to a PSAT 1180 and a CLT10 100 to a PSAT 1270.
Keep reading
Sources
Read on October 29, 2026 from the test makers' own pages. If something here is out of date, write to hello@owltestprep.com and we will fix it.
Owl Test Prep is independent. CLT and Classic Learning Test are trademarks of Classic Learning Initiatives, which does not endorse this site.