Indiana students could soon have another option besides the SAT or ACT to show they’re ready for college.
Lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require the state’s public colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test, a newer entrance exam supporters describe as a back-to-basics approach to education. The test is already accepted at several private and religious schools in Indiana and is most often used by students from classical and homeschool programs.
Testing officials connected to the ACT and SAT say the newer exam has not yet gone through the same level of independent research and validation. They say any assessment used for college admissions should meet the same standards for accuracy, reliability, and security that students, parents, and the state expect.
Supporters of the Classic Learning Test say it reflects the curriculum their students have studied and measures knowledge differently than traditional exams.
Most of Indiana’s public colleges no longer require standardized test scores for admission.
