The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a college entrance exam that evaluates reasoning, writing, and quantitative skills through rigorous, text-based content. It is known for incorporating classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts to assess academic readiness.
This article outlines how the CLT is scored and how to interpret student performance reports.
What You’ll See in CLT Scoring
The CLT is composed of three sections:
- Verbal Reasoning – measures reading comprehension and textual analysis.
- Grammar/Writing – assesses mechanics, usage, and rhetorical analysis.
- Quantitative Reasoning – focuses on mathematical concepts and logical reasoning.
Each section is scored on a scale from 0 to 40. This results in a composite score ranging from 0 to 120.
Raw Score vs. Scale Score
The raw score reflects the total number of correct responses. The scale score is a statistically adjusted version of the raw score that accounts for differences in test form difficulty. Importantly, there is no penalty for incorrect answers, and a student may still earn a perfect score of 120 without answering every question correctly.
Understanding the CLT Score Report
Each CLT score report provides several key data points:
- Section scores for Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning
- A composite score out of 120
- A percentile rank, showing how the student performed in comparison to other CLT test-takers
- Concordant scores, which are projected equivalents for the ACT and SAT
- A performance breakdown that includes:
- Domains, representing broader skill categories such as Logic, Grammar, or Mathematical Reasoning
- Subdomains, which refer to more specific skill areas like Word Problems or Evidence Analysis
This data helps educators and students identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Interpreting College Readiness
Although the CLT does not use official college readiness benchmarks, it does provide general score ranges to guide interpretation:
- A composite score between 100 and 120 is considered highly competitive for most CLT partner colleges.
- A score between 80 and 99 reflects solid academic performance and is likely to meet many admission standards.
- A score below 80 may indicate a need for further academic preparation.
Students can view CLT partner institutions here: CLT College Directory.
Concordant Scores
CLT score reports include estimated ACT and SAT scores, known as concordant scores. These are useful for comparing CLT performance to more widely recognized college entrance exams. Students should rely on these concordant scores—rather than the raw CLT score—when determining whether they meet the admissions criteria for colleges that do not yet accept the CLT directly.
Best Practices
- Encourage students to test early so that scores can inform future preparation. Use the domain and subdomain performance data to prioritize specific areas of focus. Introduce students to the CLT Author Bank, as familiarity with these texts can build reading confidence and comprehension. Explore the Author Bank here: CLT Author Bank.
- Be sure to review the specific admission policies of each CLT partner school as some may offer scholarships to students who achieve high scores on the CLT.
Summary
The CLT provides a meaningful alternative to traditional college entrance exams. With its unique scoring system, detailed feedback, and alignment to classic texts, the CLT enables students and educators to evaluate academic progress and plan purposeful next steps.
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