TEXAS (KBTX) – A new college entrance exam could be making its way into Texas public universities, but a recent study by researchers at Texas A&M University is raising questions about how well the test predicts a student’s success in the classroom.
The Classical Learning Test (CLT), which focuses on “truth, goodness, and beauty” by testing students on ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, was recently vetted by the Texas A&M Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI). While the study found the test to be “rigorous,” it also labeled the exam as a “moderate risk” for statewide use.
The “Predictive” Gap
One of the most notable findings in the A&M study was the “predictive validity” score — a measure of how well a test score forecasts a student’s college success. On a scale of 1 to 4, the SAT scored a 4.0 and the ACT scored a 3.8. The CLT, however, scored a 1.4.
“Predictive validity answers a fundamental question. Does a test score predict how a student will do in college? Does it accurately forecast whether they will pass their course, stay enrolled, and graduate with a credential,” said Maria Markham, an ACT representative.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, echoed those concerns in a statement to KBTX, noting that “any test used for admissions, placement, or scholarships should meet a high bar: clear, transparent evidence that it predicts college readiness and success.” The College Board added that “independent reviews and experts… have raised consistent concerns about the CLT’s lack of evidence for predicting college success.”
A “Catch-22” for the Newcomer
CLT Founder and CEO Jeremy Tate said the low score is not a reflection of the test’s quality, but rather a lack of data. Because the test has not been an official option for Texas public universities until now, he said there have not been enough Texas-based results to study.
“It’s kind of a catch-22,” Tate told KBTX. “To be able to look at predictive validity, they needed a certain number of Texas students that had taken the CLT. But we didn’t meet that criteria because up until now, students haven’t been able to take it because public universities haven’t been allowed to accept it.”
To bridge that data gap, Tate said the test is about to undergo a real-world trial.
“We have been working with the University of Texas and they are going to be administering the CLT to their freshmen next month in August,” Tate said. “And then we’re going to look at how we did, you know, as a predictive tool for freshman GPA.”
What Happens Next?
Last week, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) authorized the next steps to formally write the CLT into the state’s admission rules for “automatic admission” (the Top 10% rule).
Last week, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authorized the next steps to formally write the CLT into the state’s admission rules for automatic admission under the Top 10% rule.
“The study determined that the Classic Learning Test (CLT), SAT, and ACT have sufficient rigor and reliability to be used for admissions,” said RJ DeSilva, communications director for the coordinating board.
While the test won’t be a standard option for automatic admission until the fall 2028 admissions cycle, the coordinating board clarified that for students who do not qualify for automatic admission, “institutions have always had discretion on what testing scores to consider,” DeSilva said.
However, local students shouldn’t expect to use the test at Texas A&M University just yet. In a statement to KBTX, Erin Porter, executive director of Aggie One Stop, said, “Texas A&M University has no current plans to use CLT scores in admissions but will continue to follow the research as it develops.”
The coordinating board expects to finalize cut scores and rules by January 2027.
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