Results from a study to identify and characterize discrepancies between validation tests and high-fidelity analyses of compression-loaded panels are presented. First, potential sources of the discrepancies in both the experimental method and corresponding high-fidelity analysis models were identified. Then, a series of laboratory tests and numerical simulations were conducted to quantify the discrepancies and develop test and analysis methods to account for the discrepancies. The results indicate that the discrepancies between the validation tests and high-fidelity analyses can be attributed to imperfections in the test fixture and specimen geometry; test-fixture-induced changes in specimen geometry; and test-fixture-induced friction on the loaded edges of the test specimen. The results also show that accurate predictions of the panel response can be obtained when these specimen imperfections and edge conditions are accounted for in the analysis. The errors in the tests and analyses, and the methods used to characterize these errors are presented. Thornburgh, Robert P. and Hilburger, Mark W. Langley Research Center NASA/TM-2005-213932, ARL-TR-3664, L-19184 WU 23-064-30-30 COMPRESSION LOADS; PANELS; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS; FABRICATION; SPECIMEN GEOMETRY; FINITE ELEMENT METHOD; ERROR ANALYSIS; FRICTION; BOUNDARY CONDITIONS; ALUMINUM