Choosing Between the SAT, ACT, and CLT Exams

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many shifts in education. With online and at-home learning now more accessible than ever before, the popularity of homeschooling has continued to grow, with an estimated 4 million students now educated at home in the U.S.

Homeschooling and customized testing options give families greater flexibility to personalize learning and track academic progress. As homeschooling expands, access to reliable standardized testing has become increasingly important, particularly for measuring achievement and supporting students applying to college.

When it comes to college admissions, some of the most common questions students and families have revolve around testing: i.e, which college entrance test should they take, and should they submit scores at all? Among standardized exams taken by college-bound students, the Classic Learning Test (CLT) has emerged as a popular alternative to the SAT and ACT, offering families a credible way to assess progress and present comparable scores to colleges. However, before making a decision, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of each assessment, as well as consider your student’s strengths and school preferences.

SAT vs. ACT vs. CLT: What’s the difference?

The SAT, ACT, and CLT are all standardized assessments used in college admissions that cover mathematics, reading, and other core subjects. While all three assess the critical thinking and quantitative skills needed for undergraduate coursework, they differ in format, structure, and institutional acceptance.

Here are some fast facts about the SAT, the most widely taken college entrance exam in the U.S.:

●    It’s accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities

●    The SAT is the standard option at public, private, and highly selective schools

●    The exam is offered globally, and millions of students test each year

●    It’s administered by the College Board

How the test is structured:

●    Sections: Reading and Writing, Math

●    Time allowed: 2 hours 14 minutes

●    Adaptive (questions adjust based on performance)

●    Fully digital

The ACT is the second most widely taken college exam in the U.S., with over one million students taking it each year:

●    The ACT is accepted by all major U.S. colleges

●    The exam is treated equally to the SAT in admissions decisions

●    It’s viewed as a longstanding test alternative with broad recognition

●    It’s nearly as popular as the SAT, especially in the Midwest and South, though it has less of a global reach

How the test is structured:

●    Sections: English, Math, Reading, Science (optional), Writing (optional essay)

●    Time allowed: 2 hours 5 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes with Science, over 3 hours with Writing)

●    Still primarily paper-based (digital exams began rolling out last year)

●    Optional Writing section

The CLT, established in 2015, is the newest of the three undergraduate exams:

●    A smaller but growing exam, especially among homeschoolers and classical schools

●    Values a classical education approach by including excerpts from classic texts

●    Strong emphasis on the Western canon of literature and philosophy

●    Accepted by hundreds of colleges, primarily:

○    Private

○    Religious

○    Classical liberal arts institutions

●    Not as widely recognized by large public universities, though the list of states recognizing the CLT now includes Florida, Texas, and about 10 other states.

●    Now accepted at military service academies (as of February 2026)

How the test is structured:

●    Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar/Writing, Quantitative Reasoning

●    Time allowed: 2 hours 20 minutes

●    Fully digital

●    Emphasizes logic, reasoning, and analytical thinking

The bottom line:

The SAT and ACT are the most widely accepted options, though the CLT is a mission-aligned option for certain colleges and is popular with students from non-traditional educational backgrounds.

Pros and cons of each exam

You might think that each exam is created equal, but in reality, all three assess important skills and highlight certain abilities differently:

SAT: Pros & cons

●    Pros

○    Widely accepted by virtually all colleges and universities

○    Shorter, fully digital format with fewer sections

○    Shorter reading passages

○    Math is considered more “straightforward” and algebra-focused than ACT

○    Familiar option for homeschooled students applying broadly or to competitive schools

●    Cons

○    The adaptive format can feel unpredictable to some students

○    Less content variety (no standalone science section)

○    Digital-only testing may be a drawback for homeschooled students who prefer paper exams

ACT: Pros & cons

●    Pros

○    Clear, predictable structure with separate subject sections

○    Science section rewards data interpretation over memorization

○    Paper-based option can be appealing to homeschooled students used to traditional testing

●    Cons

○    The longer testing time can lead to fatigue

○    Faster pacing requires strong time management

○    Less flexible for homeschooled students seeking at-home or alternative testing environments

CLT: Pros & cons

●    Pros:

○    Shorter test with emphasis on logic, reasoning, and classic texts

○    Strong alignment with classical education models

○    Natural fit for many homeschooled students, especially in classical or faith-based programs

○    At-home digital testing is permitted

○    Many states accept the CLT10 for year-end homeschool assessments, which means some students may already be familiar with this style of test

●    Cons:

○    Limited college acceptance compared to the SAT/ACT

○    Not recognized by most large public universities

○    Homeschooled students may still need an SAT or ACT for broader college options

There’s no perfect or “easy” choice, as each of these rigorous tests requires weeks of preparation. Still, given the importance of standardized benchmarks in college admissions, it’s crucial to choose one that best suits your student’s skills and preferences.

What is the best test option for my student?

The CLT offers a more unique testing experience than the SAT and ACT, and remote proctoring means that you can take the exam right from your home. However, students who thrive on more traditional assessments may find the SAT and ACT better aligned with their talents and priorities.

●    Choose the SAT or ACT if:

○    Your student is applying to a wide range of colleges, including public or highly selective universities

○    You want the most universally accepted credential with zero admissions risk

○    Your homeschool curriculum aligns well with traditional high school subjects and pacing

○    Your student benefits from extensive prep resources, practice tests, and score benchmarks

●    Choose the CLT if:

○    Your student comes from a classical, faith-based, or literature-heavy homeschool program

○    You’re targeting private, religious, or classical liberal arts colleges that explicitly accept the CLT

○    Your student excels in logic, reading comprehension, and reasoning

If you and your student are still unsure about the next steps, taking a practice test for any of these exams can help you evaluate which one is the best fit. If your student finds their scores are plateauing on one assessment, then experiment with another. Taking practice exams early helps students identify how they learn best and build college lists around schools that align with their values and learning preferences.

Navigating test-optional admissions

Test-optional admissions can feel especially appealing to homeschool families, but for many students, strong test scores are still one of the most powerful tools in the application process. Unlike traditional applicants, homeschooled students may not have a class rank, a standardized GPA scale, or a widely recognized transcript, making test scores a clear, comparable signal of academic readiness.

Submitting competitive SAT, ACT, or CLT scores can help admissions officers quickly contextualize a homeschool education and validate rigor in an applicant’s preparation for college-level work. In a test-optional landscape, strong scores can actively strengthen an application and help a homeschooled student stand out.

Final thoughts

Standardized tests are one of the major keys to unlocking college acceptance. However, the decision about whether to take the SAT, ACT, or CLT as a homeschooled student is not a one-size-fits-all one. When figuring out which exam to take, factor in test length and structure, whether you can take the exam remotely, and where you plan on applying. The right exam is the one that accentuates strengths, fits institutional preferences, and best signals college readiness.

The author, Tyler York, is the Founder and CEO of Acheivable, an EdTech company headquartered in San Francisco, CA.