Classic Learning Test enjoys influx of students wanting to take the revolutionary exam

The Classic Learning Test has skyrocketed in popularity since being approved for admissions use in Florida’s public universities.

The classically minded test was approved by Florida’s Board of Governors in September. 

Since then, Sunshine State students are reportedly clamoring to participate.

“We have received a stupendous influx of Florida students signing up for our exams,” Taren Boyes, marketing director at CLT, told The Lion. The company offers college entrance exams, as well as standardized tests for elementary, middle and high school students. 

Meanwhile, the SAT and ACT are declining in popularity.  

Between 2020 and 2022, the number of students taking the SAT declined 22%. The ACT experienced a similar decline of 19% over the same period. 

Recent studies have also shown that these traditional college entrance exams don’t accurately predict success in college.  

That’s one of the reasons CLT is reimagining standardized testing.  

“While the ACT and SAT are solely achievement-based exams (assessing how well a student has mastered a body of content or academic standards), the CLT is both an achievement and aptitude-based exam (also assessing a student’s potential and ability to think critically and problem-solve),” Boyes told The Lion. “Because of this, the CLT offers a more comprehensive reflection of a students’ abilities.”  

The CLT is divided into three sections: verbal reasoning, grammar/writing and quantitative reasoning. In a sample test, students are required to analyze passages from authors such as Aristotle, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Pope John Paul II and Friedrich Nietzsche. 

Prior to being approved by Florida’s Board of Governors, the CLT was already approved by over 250 universities in 44 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.