Shaking table tests are carried out to examine the seismic response of structural systems with yielding base plates using a half scale steel frame with three stories and one bay. During a strong earthquake, these systems cause rocking vibration with the base plates yielding to reduce the seismic response. In the test, the seismic response of base plate yielding systems are compared with that of fixed base systems. Furthermore, simplified methods are proposed to predict their seismic responses, which are vertical stress at column bases, uplift displacements, base shears and roof displacements.