Discrepancies concerning the compressive strength of composite materials exist mainly because of the test method used. An experimental evaluation of three compressive test fixtures, namely, the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IITRI), modified Celanese, and end-loaded side-supported, selected based on a literature search, was performed. Mechanical testing of glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy composite materials indicated the IITRI test fixture, currently a ASTM Test Method for Compressive Properties of Unidirectional or Crossply Fiber-Resin Composites, (D 3410) to be a very satisfactory method of composite material compressive properties characterization.