Conservative-Backed College Exam Gains Traction Despite Concerns

The Classic Learning Test is embraced by Christian schools and home-schoolers, but faces questions about reliability and security.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:07am

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An upstart college entrance exam called the Classic Learning Test (CLT), which features works from ancient Western civilization, is gaining support from the Trump administration and conservatives in red and purple states. While the CLT has been embraced by many Christian schools and home-schoolers, it has sparked questions about whether it is a reliable measure of students' skills and whether it is secure since students can take it at home. As the test becomes more widely used, its creators hope it will push schools to introduce students to classic texts, but some critics worry it could give students a 'sanitized and triumphalist version of history'.

Why it matters

The growing popularity of the CLT exam highlights the ongoing debate over the role of traditional Western texts in education. Supporters see it as a way to expose students to foundational works, while critics worry it could marginalize other perspectives. As more states adopt the exam, there are concerns about its validity and security compared to the more established ACT and SAT tests.

The details

The CLT, created in 2015, features passages from noted philosophers, religious scholars, scientists and authors in the Western canon, including Plato, St. Augustine, Dante and Shakespeare. It has been embraced by many Christian schools, home-schooling families and educators in the classical education movement. However, there are questions about how well the CLT predicts college success compared to the ACT and SAT, and concerns about its security since students can take it at home. The test's creators say they have taken strong measures to deter misconduct, but the ACT and College Board do not offer remote testing due to the increased risk of cheating.

  • The CLT was created in 2015.
  • In 2023, Classic Learning Initiatives developed a table to help interpret CLT scores compared to the SAT and ACT.
  • In 2024, the Iowa Board of Regents could not find a single peer-reviewed study on how well the CLT predicts college success.
  • In 2025, more than 350 universities, mostly private Christian colleges, accepted CLT scores for admissions.
  • In 2026, the Pentagon decided to accept the CLT for U.S. military service academies and scholarships, and Indiana and North Carolina agreed to accept the test.

The players

Jeremy Tate

Founder of the Classic Learning Test and the Maryland company behind it, Classic Learning Initiatives.

Audrey Amrein-Beardsley

A professor at Arizona State University who is reviewing public data on the CLT and plans to publish findings this summer.

Curtis Dozier

A Vassar College professor of Greek and Roman studies who wrote a book about how far-right politicians use the classics to advance their world view.

Gary Welton

Assistant dean for institutional assessment at Grove City College, a conservative Christian college in Pennsylvania, who conducted a study on the CLT.

Priscilla Rodriguez

A senior vice president with the College Board, which administers the SAT.

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What they’re saying

“We've had some big wins.”

— Jeremy Tate, Founder of the Classic Learning Test

“We're lacking evidence on the CLT.”

— Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Professor, Arizona State University

“My biggest concern is that students won't learn the truth about history.”

— Curtis Dozier, Professor of Greek and Roman studies, Vassar College

“My conclusion at this point is that they are all three reasonable predictors [for college grades].”

— Gary Welton, Assistant dean, Grove City College

“We are not sure these tests are similar enough [to compare the scores].”

— Priscilla Rodriguez, Senior vice president, College Board

What’s next

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The takeaway

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