Compositions and methods for the assessment of T cell receptor variable subunits. The present invention provides nucleotide sequences for the evaluation of the expression of TCRV families. These nucleotides sequences were obtained through a bioinformatic investigation of the nucleotide sequences for TCRV.alpha. and TCRV.beta. families. The nucleotide sequences of the present invention uniquely recognize each and every subfamily and allelic member of a particular TCRV family, while at the same time not recognizing the members of any other TCRV family. This unique expression recognition profile of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention provides great utility for the assessment of TCR families in a clinical setting, such as through polymerase chain reactions, gene chip technology, and direct electrophoretic measurement of DNA or RNA.