A system and method for assisting in real time alignment of an alignment specimen within a load frame. In one implementation an instrumented alignment specimen is used to provide information from which the deflection of the specimen at various points along the specimen can be determined. The deflection information is then used to calculate deflection values in X, Y and Z coordinate axes in real time. The deflection values are then scaled by a desired factor and then used to generate a three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen. This produces a slightly exaggerated, three dimensional representation of the alignment specimen illustrating its deformation as a result of concentric and/or angular misalignment of the lower head of the load frame relative to the upper head.