I'm so glad I was eligible for exemption from passing the NJ standardized tests (the HSPA as they're called here) so I don't have to worry about it...
Why were you exempt?
he told me it was for personal reasons
Correct.
Well, personally, I fele no one should be exempt, unless you are mentally disabled, or have a physical ailment (i.e. you're blind). For example, in PA, you can be exempt from the PSSA's if your parents simply don't want you to take it. As long as every other student is required to take state tests, everyone, no matter what, should take it.