Prior to that time individual school districts in New Jersey made their own decisions as to what kinds of school testing to use. Most only used some form of commercially available test. Decisions on which of these tests to use were based on factors such as the fit between test and the district curriculum, cost, and service from the contractor. Many districts still use a combination of statewide tests and district-wide tests.  See Interpreting Test Results section "Results in Context."

From 1972 until the current standards-based testing program became operational (in 1998), a series of NJ statewide testing programs were used. Two tables highlighting the evolution of these programs are presented below.