The Test Development and Research Unit was formed in 1968 jointly funded by UCLES, the Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations and the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board.

The only Director of TDRU was Dr D Shoesmith who retired when the Unit closed in 1983. Some of the Research staff continued to work on research projects for UCLES, OCSEB or UODLE and the following records were deposited by Jean Martin, formerly Dr Shoesmith’s Secretary, on her retirement in 1999. Although some of the Reports were produced after the Unit closed all were included in the original deposit of TDRU records and are Research related.