The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Improving the Admission Process to the Daytime Divisions of Higher Educational Institutions" dated March 11, 1992, No. PF-361, initiated fundamental reforms in the education system for selecting talented young individuals for the country's higher education institutions.

Initially, the practice of admission through testing was piloted in six higher education institutions in the republic. The testing system began in 1992 with a universal question booklet containing two model variants and a limited amount of test materials.

In 1992, the tests had two variants (A, B), and each subject—native language, mathematics, social sciences (history and geography), natural sciences (physics, geography, chemistry), and foreign languages—contained 50 questions. Applicants chose three subjects based on their field of study.

In accordance with the President's decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No. 181 "On the Organization and Implementation of an Experiment for Admission to the Daytime Divisions of Higher Educational Institutions" on April 9, 1992. This resolution outlined the organization and conduct of the experiment, and as of April 15, 1992, the Republican Center for the Selection of Applicants to the Daytime Divisions of Higher Educational Institutions was established under the Cabinet of Ministers. The Center was tasked with implementing a unified state policy for selecting students for higher education institutions, introducing common criteria for student admissions, and developing methods for identifying the most talented young individuals.

In 1993, tests were conducted on an experimental basis in 19 out of the 46 existing higher education institutions.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On the Establishment of the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers" dated May 14, 1994, No. 258, transformed the Republican Center for the Selection of Applicants into the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers. The State Testing Center was given the responsibility of organizing and conducting tests for higher and secondary specialized educational institutions.

Starting from 1994, the practice of selecting applicants for higher education institutions using a test-based evaluation of knowledge was implemented.

In 1993–1994, the tests had two variants (A, B) and consisted of 48 questions each in subjects like native language, mathematics, social sciences (history and geography), foreign languages for the daytime and evening divisions, and 72 questions each in natural sciences (physics, geography, chemistry).

In 1994, the selection of applicants to secondary specialized educational institutions based on test results was introduced in certain institutions, and starting from 1995, this process was extended to all secondary specialized educational institutions, regardless of departmental affiliation.

In 1995, the tests consisted of three variants (A, B, C) with 36 questions in each subject: native language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, foreign languages, Uzbek language, and Russian language. However, the limited number of variants and the restricted volume of test materials did not ensure fairness, consistency, or accuracy in assessing knowledge levels, and it complicated the procedures for maintaining confidentiality.

In 1996, a new, multi-variant testing system was developed and implemented for admission to higher and secondary specialized educational institutions. This system was based on the computer-assisted generation of test variants according to the fields of study, specialties, and languages of instruction. This testing system continues to be used today.

On March 11, 1998, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No. 109 "On the Establishment of a Department for Quality Control of Personnel Training, Certification of Teaching Staff and Educational Institutions within the State Testing Center." Under this resolution, the certification of teaching staff and educational institutions began to be conducted by the State Testing Center.

On June 24, 2004, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 293 "On the Improvement of the Activities of the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan," which established the following primary tasks for the State Testing Center:

- Implementing state policy in the field of selection through testing for admission to educational institutions and ensuring objective evaluation of the quality of personnel training and the effectiveness of the educational process.

- Analyzing the compliance of applicants', students', and learners' knowledge with the State Education Standards and national requirements of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

- Ensuring the objectivity, reliability, and fairness of test results.

- Organizing and conducting the certification of pedagogical staff, professors, and administrative personnel engaged in the continuous education system.

- Organizing and conducting the certification and state accreditation of educational institutions, regardless of their departmental affiliation or ownership form, and determining the ranking of educational institutions.

- Performing the functions of the working body of the Licensing Commission for Non-State Educational Institutions under the Cabinet of Ministers.

- Organizing and ensuring the process of recognizing and nostrifying (establishing equivalency) educational documents issued by foreign countries.

In 2009, 30 variants were introduced for each of the 80 types of question booklets.

By 2010, the system transitioned to individual test variants for each applicant.

The Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan, No. PQ-1875, dated December 10, 2012, “On Measures for Further Improvement of the Foreign Language Learning System,” was adopted. A Department for the Assessment of Foreign Language Proficiency was established within the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers, and a system for evaluating and certifying foreign language proficiency was introduced.

On July 17, 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No. 508 “On Further Improvement of the Activities of the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.” This resolution outlined the key responsibilities of the State Testing Center, including implementing state policy regarding the selection of students through testing for admission to educational institutions, ensuring the objectivity, reliability, and fairness of test results, developing a bank of test materials, improving pedagogical measurement tools, organizing and conducting test examinations, coordinating these processes, publishing test materials, analyzing test results, and developing the national testing system for assessing foreign language proficiency.

The Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan, No. PQ-3389, dated November 17, 2017, “On Improving the Procedure for Conducting Entrance Examinations for Admission to Bachelor's Programs at Higher Educational Institutions,” was adopted. Based on this decree, from the 2018/2019 academic year onward, entrance examinations for admission to higher education institutions were held in the pavilions of the "Uzexpocentre" National Exhibition Complex in Tashkent and in additional temporary pavilions installed on its grounds, as well as in other large-capacity buildings or venues provided by other organizations. The process was designed to ensure maximum transparency, with video surveillance allowing the public, including the parents of applicants, to observe the entrance exams online.

On February 20, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted Resolution No. 130 “On Further Improvement of the Activities of the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.” According to this resolution, the State Testing Center was designated as the sole authorized government body responsible for implementing state policy on selection through testing for admission to educational institutions. Its main duties include organizing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing test results, developing test technologies, improving pedagogical measurement tools, advancing the national testing system for assessing knowledge in general education subjects, and determining the proficiency of candidates for leadership positions in the state language, as well as issuing them proficiency certificates.

The Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PQ-4319, dated May 14, 2019, “On Additional Measures for the Improvement of the System for Admission to Higher Educational Institutions through Test Examinations,” was adopted. According to this decree, starting from the 2021/2022 academic year, the subjects of the test examinations were divided into two sections. The first section included three mandatory subjects for all test-takers — the native language (Uzbek, Russian, or Karakalpak), mathematics, and the history of Uzbekistan. The second section consisted of two subjects corresponding to the applicant’s chosen bachelor’s program.

In accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 562, dated September 17, 2020, “On Additional Measures for the Improvement of the Testing System,” the “Scientific Educational and Practical Center” was established under the State Testing Center to develop courses in testology and pedagogical measurements, provide advanced training in foreign languages, and foster collaboration with leading international organizations in the field.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 646, dated October 12, 2020, “On the Introduction of a National Testing System for Assessing Knowledge of General Education Subjects,” was adopted. According to this resolution, starting from December 1, 2020, the national testing system for assessing knowledge in general education subjects corresponding to bachelor’s programs was introduced. From the 2021/2022 academic year onward, applicants holding a state-issued certificate proving their proficiency in relevant general education subjects (excluding foreign languages) were awarded proportional points based on the percentage indicated in the certificate in comparison to the maximum points for that subject in entrance exams for admission to higher educational institutions.

Furthermore, according to amendments introduced in this resolution, starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, applicants with A+ and A-level certificates will be awarded the maximum points for the relevant subject in the entrance exams for bachelor’s programs. Those with B+, B, C+, or C-level certificates will receive proportional points corresponding to the overall percentage indicated in their certificates, relative to the maximum points for that subject in the entrance exams.

Applicants holding a national certificate will be awarded the highest possible points for the relevant mandatory subjects.

Starting from 2020, applicants wishing to enter higher education institutions began to be fully registered online. In particular, more than 1,304,000 applicants in 2020, over 948,000 in 2021, more than 1,146,000 in 2022, and over 948,000 in 2023, and in 2024 more than 805,000 applicants were registered online and participated in the test examinations.

With the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-269, dated December 21, 2022, “On Measures for Implementing the Administrative Reforms of New Uzbekistan,” the Agency for Assessment of Knowledge and Competences under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovations was established based on the State Testing Center under the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-14, dated January 25, 2023, “On the Immediate Organizational Measures for Effectively Establishing the Operations of Republican Executive Authorities,” the Agency for Assessment of Knowledge and Competences is recognized as the legal successor of the State Testing Center, inheriting its respective rights and obligations.