{"id":2637315,"date":"2026-07-29T15:02:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T19:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaigntexas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T15:05:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T19:05:40","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaigntexas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaigntexas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Public Universities Begin Accepting Classical SAT Alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaigntexas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2637315&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Public universities in Texas will start accepting the Classical Learning Test (CLT) for college admissions beginning August 1, following a decision by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The CLT is a classical alternative to the SAT and ACT, featuring excerpts from past texts, designed to challenge the dominance of the college Board. A study commissioned by THECB found that the CLT matches the rigor and reliability of the SAT and ACT, with overall scores within acceptable ranges for college admissions despite less extensive data. Texas joins several other states-arkansas, Florida, Georgia, indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Oklahoma-that recognize the CLT.Additionally,the test has been adopted by military service academies under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,who called it the \u201cgold standard,\u201d with efforts to solidify its acceptance through legislation. The rise of classical education in the U.S.,with around 900 classical schools and many homeschooling families,supports the CLT\u2019s expanding role. Enthusiasts like Hillsdale student Matthew Tolbert praise the test for its engaging questions and logical math section, viewing it as a beneficial alternative to traditional standardized tests. the increase in CLT acceptance reflects a growing movement toward classical education and standardized testing options outside the SAT and ACT frameworks.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/person-in-blue-sweater-using-a-laptop-8199246\/\">Yan Krukau \/ Pexels<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/texas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Texas Public Universities Join Growing List Of Colleges Welcoming Classical SAT Alternative&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/texas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=Texas Public Universities Join Growing List Of Colleges Welcoming Classical SAT Alternative&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/texas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/texas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=Texas Public Universities Join Growing List Of Colleges Welcoming Classical SAT Alternative&#038;body=With this change, Texas becomes one of several states that now accept the CLT for public university admissions.%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/07\/29\/texas-public-universities-join-growing-list-of-colleges-welcoming-classical-sat-alternative\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\">                     <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); pfTrackEvent(&#039;Texas Public Universities Join Growing List Of Colleges Welcoming Classical SAT Alternative&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &#038; Email\">                     <span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span>                     <\/a>                 <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"pf-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public universities in the state of Texas will begin accepting the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for college admissions on Aug. 1. This follows a decision by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on July 22, according to the CLT\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cltexam.com\/texas-adopts-classic-learning-test\/?utm_campaign=48308343-MKTG%20-%20Q3%202026%20CLT%20Emails&#038;utm_medium=email&#038;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--rsT8z20c3XX2fLrWu-ttxKip-cTYCG5qyVVbpyRhlVZblh6oS1fxsDD0PB9jlf0KLVqWmJvIaI1KLcQZe5y0cGvwhxw&#038;_hsmi=430504037&#038;utm_content=430504037&#038;utm_source=hs_email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CLT is a classical alternative to the SAT and ACT, containing excerpts from classical and historical texts. Co-founder Jeremy Tate <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JeremyTate41\/status\/2067081491369054564?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> he created the exam to \u201cchallenge the monopoly\u201d of the College Board, which he called the \u201cunelected gatekeeper of American education.\u201d According to Tate, the CLT was not meant to be a \u201cniche alternative\u201d to other standardized tests, but to instead be a legitimate competitor. Now, states like Texas are making this a reality.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-3352205436\" class=\"d-flex justify-content-center fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2 fdrlst__b89e9-entity-placement\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1463670073398-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">THECB commissioned the Texas A&#038;M Public Policy Institute to research the test, according to a July 23 <a href=\"https:\/\/reportcenter.highered.texas.gov\/correspondence\/commissioner-correspondence\/uniform-admission-policy-letter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">memo<\/a> from Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Wynn Rosser. The <a href=\"https:\/\/reportcenter.highered.texas.gov\/meeting\/board-supporting-documents\/viii-a-study-on-college-entrance-examination-scores-texas-education-code-title-3-section-518031-july-22-2026\/?_sp=8d435da3-2f85-420b-b965-2d8b57757c4e.1785265856331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resulting study <\/a>found that the CLT matches the \u201crigor and reliability\u201d level of the SAT and ACT.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the study admitted that there is less data on the CLT than the other two standardized tests, it found that \u201call three examinations met the study rubric\u2019s general readiness benchmark and received overall scores within the acceptable range for consideration in admissions.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this change, Texas becomes <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cltexam.com\/texas-adopts-classic-learning-test\/?utm_campaign=48308343-MKTG%20-%20Q3%202026%20CLT%20Emails&#038;utm_medium=email&#038;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--rsT8z20c3XX2fLrWu-ttxKip-cTYCG5qyVVbpyRhlVZblh6oS1fxsDD0PB9jlf0KLVqWmJvIaI1KLcQZe5y0cGvwhxw&#038;_hsmi=430504037&#038;utm_content=430504037&#038;utm_source=hs_email\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one of several<\/a> states that now accept the CLT for public university admissions. Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Oklahoma already accept the test as part of their public university systems. In total, more than 360 public and private colleges and universities accept the CLT as a standardized testing option.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Service academies also recently began <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/06\/17\/amendment-to-make-service-academies-accept-classic-learning-test-added-to-military-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accepting<\/a> the CLT under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Hegseth directed the academies to accept the test, calling it the \u201cgold standard.\u201d Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., took this a step further and added an amendment requiring the service academies to accept the exam into the 2027 military budget. This would make it more difficult for future administrations to undo Hegseth\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CLT\u2019s rise coincides with the rise of classical education in America. There are now <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalschools.heritage.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approximately 900<\/a> classical schools throughout the country, and many more parents choose to homeschool using <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalconversations.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">classical curriculum<\/a>. These schools use <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.ph\/iA2YX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teaching methods<\/a> dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and emphasize Western civilization.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hillsdale College senior Matthew Tolbert, the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cltexam.com\/ten-years-of-high-standards-an-interview-with-matthew-tolbert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">only student<\/a> to ever achieve a perfect score on the CLT, told The Federalist that he found the CLT more engaging than the other tests, which he also took.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI took the CLT because it had more interesting questions and respects my time better than the other tests,\u201d Tolbert told The Federalist. \u201cIf the institutions you\u2019re planning on applying to accept it, then there\u2019s no reason to take the others.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tolbert noted that the CLT is a great option for liberal arts schools, while STEM-focused schools may benefit more from the SAT or ACT. The CLT\u2019s math section, Tolbert said, is highly logical compared to the other exams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am pleased to see that more states are breaking the SAT\/ACT duopoly,\u201d Tolbert told The Federalist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Skye Graham is an intern at The Federalist. She is a senior History major at Hillsdale College and serves as the assistant features editor for the Hillsdale Collegian.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Skye Graham<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/skyegraham\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags no-print bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/act\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">ACT<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/classic-learning-test\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Classic Learning Test<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/classical-education\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">classical education<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/classics\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">classics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/clt\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">CLT<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/college-admissions\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">college admissions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/colleges\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">colleges<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/public-colleges\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">public colleges<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/sat\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">SAT<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/texas\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Texas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/universities\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">universities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas public universities to accept CLT starting August 1<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4302,"featured_media":2637316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pexels-yankrukov-8199246-e1785331944411.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[41586,32189,83400,48067,83399],"class_list":["post-2637315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-college-admissions","tag-higher-education","tag-sat-alternative","tag-standardized-testing","tag-texas-universities"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pexels-yankrukov-8199246-e1785331944411.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4302"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2637315"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2637318,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2637315\/revisions\/2637318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2637316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2637315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2637315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2637315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}