In order to study the effects of oblique tabs on the in-plane shear properties of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminate composites, the 10$^{circ}$off-axis tensile test, the 45 $^{circ}$off-axis tensile test and Iosipescu shear test were performed to determine the shear properties. Off-axis tension test was studied by using new oblique-shaped tabs proposed by Sun and $Chung^{(7)}$. Iosipescu shear test was studied by using modified Wyoming test fixture. The oblique tabs reduced remarkably end-constraint effects of off-axis specimens with a aspect ratio of about eight. The experimental results show that there is no significant difference between off-axis test results and those of Iosipescu shear test. The 45$^{circ}$off-axis tensile tests are recommended for the determination of the shear properties of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced aluminum laminated composites.