A hard disk drive system comprises an interface that receives test configuration data, that transmits test result data, and that transmits and receives application data. A system on chip (SOC) includes integrated system test (IST) modules. A memory module communicates with the SOC and includes memory and an IST module. One of the IST modules communicates with the interface and is a master IST module that receives the test configuration data and that configures others of the IST modules for testing a component of the hard disk drive system.