Constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation test is a fast test method to characterize consolidation behavior of fine grained soils. In this test method, the test specimen is deformed at a constant rate of deformation, and pore water pressure at the base of the test specimen and axial reaction load are measured at successive interval during the test. This test method has several advantages over traditional incremental loading consolidation test. In the present research, a series of CRS consolidation tests have been performed on reconstituted samples of eight different clayey soils with different plasticity indices. The suitable strain rate at which the test is to be performed has been decided considering the criterion given in the literature. The test data obtained from these tests have been analyzed through the method of interpretation given in ASTM: D4186-06 (Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional Consolidation Properties ofSaturated Cohesive Soils Using Controlled-Strain Loading. 2008). The present study shows that the existing method of interpretation yields unreliable results for a significant duration at early stage of the test despite of performing the test at recommended strain rate. Analysis of present experimental data and some of the available recommendations to select suitable strain rate indicates that the theory for CRS consolidation which forms the basis for the existing method of interpretation is unable to describe rapid evolution of pore-water pressure at early stage of the test. Because of this, the existing method of interpretation fails to interpret the consolidation parameters accurately throughout the test. © 2019, Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature.