Abstract: Based on relevant references and similar simulations about top coal drawing in laboratory, the article conducts the thorough and systematical analysis on three key problems in similar simulation on top coal drawing. The three problems are the similar materials for similar simulation and their application conditions; the advantages and disadvantages of two-dimensional and three-dimensional similar simulation; drawbacks and improvements of similar simulation on top coal drawing. Based on the analysis, the article gives some advice on how to select similar materials, experimental devices and other equipment. The last part is an outlook of experimental simulation's development trend.