In order to define the status of calibration tank model test in the field of laboratory tests simulating in-situ technology research, the paper summarizes the world's existing large calibration tank according to extensive literatures at home and abroad that related to calibration tank model test report. Besides, the relevant research content of two most widely used calibration tanks at home and abroad are summarized after analyzing the advantages and shortcomings as well as the improvement process of each calibration tank. Meanwhile, the effect of related parameters and influencing factors is discussed; and the application results of calibration tank test are summarized. The analytical results show that the calibration tank model test research has a good application prospect on the applied research of in situ testing technology; and it combines the merits of boundary conditions control, the stress state control and soil sample control in one. Based on calibration tank test data, soil parameters calculation and checking are performed; and the empirical formula of different soil layers is analyzed compared with in-situ test. It provides the basis for evaluation and analysis of the in-situ test. However, the related research of calibration tank test still need to further strengthen and expand, i.e. the present main research is about sandy soil, less on the study on the cohesive soil and special soil. While in-situ test may strengthen the study on the parameters such as friction and pore water pressure.