Transient pulse method is a newly developed technique in rock seepage tests to measure permeability of rocks. The theory of fluid dynamics in porous media is applied to analyze the hydrodynamic characteristics of transient method in rock seepage tests. It is identified that，in the momentum equation，the variation of flow velocity is able to be neglected for seepage in rocks. High-speed non-Darcy flow as shown by Forchheimer¢s equation is insignificant for seepage in tight rocks and Darcy Law is normally valid. As one of the fundamental hydrodynamic equations describing the transient seepage in rocks，the continuous equation is applied to explain the change of pressure in the rock seepage tests with initial and boundary conditions. Physical and mathematic models of the transient method are presented. Interpretative formulas are derived for time-dependent pressure curves at several controlled conditions of the upstream and downstream reservoirs，with the assumption of equal pressure gradient. This assumption simplifies the solution process of partial deference equation in the mathematic model. The interpretative formulas provide conveniences for the analysis of the test process and calculation of permeability with defferent control methods：(1) water capacities of both the upstream and the downstream pressure vessels are fixed；(2) water capacity of the upstream pressure vessel is fixed and the pressure of the downstream boundary is constant；(3) flux of water from the upstream pressure vessel，which is determined by moving speed of the plunger，is constant and the pressure of the downstream boundary is constant. For the third control method，a formula is derived to predict the decrease of the pressure in the upstream reservoirs after stopping the plunger from moving. Validity of the interpretative formulas is identified by the well fitting of the pressure-time curves in permeability test cases for the three types of control methods. It shows the application of the assumption of equal pressure gradient.