The CLT, explained in five minutes
The Classic Learning Test is a college admissions test built around classic texts: philosophy, literature, history and science from great authors. It is scored from 0 to 120.
Reading passages from classic authors: main ideas, arguments, tone, word meaning in context.
Fixing and improving passages: punctuation, agreement, tense, transitions, concision, organization.
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data and logic, with no calculator.
Each section is scored out of 40, for a total out of 120. The whole test takes about two hours. There is also an optional essay, which Owl Test Prep lets you practice under the same 30-minute limit.
Students applying to colleges that accept the CLT, often classical and Christian schools, and since 2023 Florida's public universities. Many students also take it for scholarships. The list of colleges grows each year.
Dates, fees, testing options and the full list of colleges are on the official site, cltexam.com. Owl Test Prep is not affiliated with Classic Learning Initiatives.
- The passages are older and denser than on most tests: Plato, Augustine, Madison, Austen.
- The math is all no-calculator.
- There is no penalty for guessing.
- It can be taken online or in school.
- Answer every question.A wrong answer costs nothing, so a blank is always a lost chance. When time is short, guess, flag it and move on.
- Read the passage for its argument, not its facts.Most reading questions ask what the author is doing and why. After each paragraph, say its job in five words.
- "NO CHANGE" is sometimes the right answer.Do not avoid it, and do not lean on it. Check the underlined words for grammar, then for meaning and tone.
- In grammar, shorter is usually better.When two choices are both correct, the one with fewer words and no repetition is almost always the answer.
- Do math with no calculator, on purpose.The math section is calculator-free. Practice mental arithmetic, fractions and estimating until they are quick.
- Pace by section, not by question.About 60 seconds a reading question, 50 for grammar and 65 for math. Bank time on easy ones for the hard ones.
- Review every miss, the same day.Read why your choice was tempting, then do one more like it. That is where the points come from.