A rational criterion for structural dynamic analysis-test correlation has been established by using a matrix perturbation technique. This criterion can be used for the verification of an analytical model by the test results. Also, the same technique can be applied to update the analytical results by using the test results without repeating the entire analytical procedure. A sample problem has been used to demonstrate this technique. Very satisfactory results are obtained with only the first-order perturbation solution included for transient loading. For periodic loading, higher-order perturbation solutions are needed to achieve the same accuracy.