Abstract: Ultrasonic guided waves have multiple modes feature for propagation in the components, which makes it difficult to analyze guided wave signals and its application in non-destructive testing. It is practically useful to control the guided waves mode by configuring the sensors reasonably. The technology abroad of controlling the guided wave modes based on magnetostrictive effect was systematically reviewed. The sensor configurations of three kinds of guided wave modes(i.e., longitudinal wave, torsional wave and flexural wave) were discussed in detail. By comparing, it was obtained that the exciting guided waves modes were depended on the direction and size configures between the bias magnetic field and alternating magnetic field in the magnetostrictive sensor.