Service academies to accept conservative alternative to SAT and ACT

Politico ^ | September 15, 2025 | Sophia Cai

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The nation’s service academies next month will announce they will accept scores from the Classic Learning Test, a standardized exam that emphasizes classical literature such as Greek and Roman classics and Christian thinkers beginning in the 2027 admissions cycle, according to internal communications obtained by POLITICO and a person familiar with the matter granted anonymity to discuss the policy change.

The Pentagon’s move marks a victory for conservative lawmakers and activists who have pushed to elevate the test, known as the CLT, as an alternative to the SAT and ACT emphasizing “deep comprehension of classical texts.”

According to the internal emails, the U.S. military academies by Oct. 1 plan to update all public-facing websites accessible to prospective students reflecting the new option. They will also train admissions staff, liaison officers, congressional offices and volunteers involved with admissions on the addition of CLT in advance of the 2027 admissions cycle.

The inclusion of a standardized test favored by conservatives is another flashpoint in a broader ideological clash over the future of American education during the Trump administration. President Donald Trump and his allies have frequently railed against what they call “woke” curriculum, targeting everything from Advanced Placement courses to diversity initiatives in higher education.

The Pentagon did not reply to a request for comment.

“The CLT measures deep comprehension, discipline, and knowledge of the great ideas that built our nation. It’s a victory for merit and America’s future leaders,” said Sen. JIM BANKS (R-Ind.), who introduced a bill that would mandate the service academies’ acceptance of CLT. The bill has not made it out of committee.

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This exam uses passages from classic texts. It also does not allow calculators for math. It is mostly accepted by really religious schools, including Catholic, fundamentalist, Baptist, and Lutheran. Not accepted by really competitive Catholic schools or fancy Episcopal, Quaker, etc. schools. It is also accepted by St. Johns Annapolis / Santa Fe with its great books program and by law by all Florida state universities.

[Ge0ffrey]

Winning!

[VanShuyten]

I’m just thankful the academies still accept the SAT and ACT.

There was a time there that I thought they would abandon them. Did they lower the minimum score, or allow some sort of “ethnic” bonus points, like so many other colleges?