New College Entrance Exam Challenges SAT and ACT

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is expanding across the U.S. as an alternative to the SAT and ACT, gaining support from the Trump administration and several Republican-led states.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:34pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a classic #2 pencil repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the iconic imagery of standardized testing. The pencil is rendered in vibrant neon colors overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines, turning the everyday testing tool into modern pop art.The Classic Learning Test (CLT) aims to disrupt the long-dominant SAT and ACT standardized exams with a focus on the liberal arts tradition.Parma Today

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a new college entrance exam that is challenging the dominance of the SAT and ACT. Founded in 2015, the CLT focuses on ancient Western civilization and has gained support from the Trump administration and several Republican-led states, which have moved to integrate the exam into their university admissions processes. However, the test has faced opposition and scrutiny regarding its validity and security.

Why it matters

The rise of the CLT as an alternative to the long-dominant SAT and ACT exams reflects a growing debate over the role of standardized testing in college admissions. Supporters of the CLT argue that it provides more rigorous content and better aligns with traditional education values, while critics raise concerns about its predictive validity and security. The outcome of this competition could have significant implications for the future of college entrance exams in the United States.

The details

The CLT is designed as a challenger to the SAT and ACT, drawing two-thirds of its verbal content from a bank of more than 160 writers focused on ancient Western civilization. The exam's math section prohibits calculator use and emphasizes trigonometry and geometry. The test has seen widespread adoption among Christian private schools and the homeschooling community, with several state governments moving to integrate it into their university admissions processes. However, the CLT has faced opposition, with the Iowa Board of Regents finding no peer-reviewed studies demonstrating its effectiveness in predicting college success, and Democratic lawmakers in Ohio expressing concerns about its adoption.

  • The Classic Learning Test (CLT) was founded in 2015 by Jeremy Tate through the Maryland-based company Classic Learning Initiatives.
  • In 2024, the Iowa Board of Regents conducted a review of the CLT and found no peer-reviewed studies demonstrating how effectively the test predicts college success.
  • In February 2026, Rep. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) stated during a House floor speech in Ohio that the CLT aligns with the traditional education values of logic, reasoning, and moral philosophy.
  • In 2026, House Bill 326 is currently under consideration by the Ohio Senate after passing the House earlier in the year. The bill would allow Ohio high schools to offer the CLT alongside the SAT, ACT, and other nationally norm-referenced exams used for college admission.

The players

Jeremy Tate

The founder of the Maryland-based company Classic Learning Initiatives, which created the Classic Learning Test (CLT).

Jonathan Butcher

A researcher at the Heritage Foundation who stated that the CLT provides more rigorous content compared to the SAT and ACT, which he described as containing bland material that doesn't have any inherent value.

Rep. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta)

A joint sponsor of Ohio House Bill 326, which would allow Ohio high schools to offer the CLT alongside the SAT, ACT, and other nationally norm-referenced exams used for college admission.

Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma)

A former high school teacher who expressed opposition to the adoption of the CLT in Ohio, stating that colleges and universities are generally moving away from the use of standardized tests for admission.

Michael Torres

The CLT Exam Director of Legislative Strategy, who has argued that the SAT and ACT have been protected from competition by state laws and that the reduction of rigor in those exams makes the introduction of the CLT necessary for fair competition.

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What they’re saying

“The CLT provides rigorous content compared to established tests, which he described as containing bland material that doesn't have any inherent value in it.”

— Jonathan Butcher, Researcher, Heritage Foundation

“The CLT aligns with the traditional education education values of logic, reasoning, and moral philosophy.”

— Rep. Kevin Ritter, Joint Sponsor, Ohio House Bill 326

“Colleges and universities are generally moving away from the use of standardized tests for admission.”

— Rep. Sean Brennan, Former High School Teacher

“The SAT and ACT have been protected from competition by state laws and the reduction of rigor in those exams makes the introduction of the CLT necessary for fair competition.”

— Michael Torres, CLT Exam Director of Legislative Strategy

What’s next

In Ohio, House Bill 326 is currently under consideration by the Senate after passing the House earlier in 2026. The bill would allow Ohio high schools to offer the CLT alongside the SAT, ACT, and other nationally norm-referenced exams used for college admission.

The takeaway

The rise of the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the long-dominant SAT and ACT exams reflects a growing debate over the role of standardized testing in college admissions. While supporters argue the CLT provides more rigorous content and better aligns with traditional education values, critics raise concerns about its predictive validity and security. The outcome of this competition could have significant implications for the future of college entrance exams in the United States.