What to Expect the First Time you Take the CLT
By Faith Walessa
It's my first time taking the CLT. What do I need to know?
The CLT is the first of its kind–a college entrance exam featuring content pulled from the greatest minds in the Western tradition, tied to admissions and scholarships at over 300 Partner Colleges around the nation, all while allowing you to take your exam remotely, proctored from the comfort of your own home. We want you to have the best possible testing and learning experience, while feeling prepared and informed every step of the way. Whether it’s your first time testing with us, or you want a refresher on some basics, here are some FAQ’s and answers that will get you ready to test like a pro on the remotely-proctored CLT.
I. What is the CLT?
The CLT is a college entrance exam filled with meaningful content that assesses both aptitude and achievement. There are 120 questions on the CLT, broken down into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Grammar & Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning. The full exam is completed over two hours, with a quick stretch break between sections.
II. What do I need to take the CLT?
For success on test day, we require a few key tools. Of course, you will need a computer with a reliable internet connection, ideally set up as close to the router in your home as possible. Another important requirement is a proper testing environment! For this, you will need a closed-off, well-lit room with no other people present to ensure test security. You will also need a standard desk or table to test on, with a standard chair or stool. Once this is set up, please clear your testing surface of all items, except for 2 pencils or pens, up to 6 sheets of scratch paper, and water or another drink. Please have some form of accepted physical ID on hand to show during the pretest. Books, phones, watches, and any other objects should be out of reach, while additional monitors or educational posters on display in your room can simply be covered with a towel or sheet, or temporarily taken down, so we can score and return your test!
More details for all remote-proctoring requirements and forbidden items can be found here. The important thing is to carefully follow instructions and focus on your test, and you will be just fine!
III. What is the process to start and enter the test?
Please consult our step-by-step guide on Starting Your Remotely Proctored Exam. Because of the option to take the CLT remotely-proctored from home, you have maximum flexibility in choosing when you want to test, so take the time to prepare and set up beforehand. Please also note that a test simulation will be available from your student dashboard after you register for your exam, so you can practice going through the steps to test successfully!
For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.
IV. What should I do if I have a problem during the test?
While the CLT exam is not live-proctored, we have live support available to all students from 7 am to 7 pm ET on test day. We strongly advise you to test during this time window so we can assist you with any technical troubleshooting and test needs that may arise. To access CLT support, simply message the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your testing screen. Most importantly, you will never be penalized for chatting with our team, and we will adjust your time during the live test to compensate for any time you spend talking to us. Knowing this, please do not seek outside help during the test from family or other technical resources, or we may not be able to score your exam.
V. Is it normal to be anxious before testing?
The CLT is a test, and most people get nervous before writing tests! Test day anxiety is part of the process–it simply proves that you care about doing your best. Remember that because the CLT is remotely-proctored, you can start testing whenever is best for you that day. Take your time to stretch, relax, and settle your mind before you enter the test, so you know you are as focused and calm as possible. Personally, I took the official CLT several times, and I remember that any anxious feelings I had would be gone 5 minutes into the first section! Starting is the hardest part, and after that, just do your best.
However, beyond this normal test-taking anxiety, there is no reason to be worried about the CLT! While there are a few specific things you can do to prepare, like trying out a practice test and reading up on our remote-proctoring guidelines, the CLT is not trying to test you on a specific set of facts and content. We want to see you demonstrate key skills like reading comprehension and logical problem solving. This means you will not fail if you forget a formula or a grammar rule, so don’t worry about last-minute cramming! Please remember as well that you can reach out to our team at any time during the test, from 7am to 7pm ET, and they will help with any issue as best they can.
VI. How do I study for my CLT exam?
One of the best ways to study for your CLT exam is by practicing with one of our free, full-length practice exams available through your student account. These exams are identically formatted to the official CLT you will be taking, and come with immediate scoring and explanations for any questions you may have done wrong. Additionally, once you’ve registered for a CLT exam, a test-day simulation will be available on your dashboard. The simulation includes both the pretest and the full test, giving you an opportunity to test your technology and practice pretest instructions ahead of time, ensuring you are equipped to follow our remote proctoring guidelines. For more practice materials and advice, consider purchasing our official CLT Student Guide, complete with extra practice exams, sample essay prompts, and helpful advice and instructions. We also have advice for you here at the Journal! If you’re looking for a few test tricks, check out our Top 5 Tips to Improve your CLT Score.
Any other questions you might have can be emailed to us at info@cltexam.com, and we look forward to seeing you on test day!
Faith Walessa hails from Ontario, Canada, and is a current sophomore at Hillsdale College. She loves fanciful poetry, theater, reading by flashlight, and freshly brewed coffee.
If you enjoyed this piece, be sure to check out our podcast, Anchored. For more Journal content, check out our recent twin posts on the best fiction and nonfiction books to read this summer! Have a great rest of your week.
Published on 23rd July, 2025. Post image: Akropolis by Leo von Klenze.