An optical disc drive, which is capable of stably controlling a laser diode without having an influence on other data by recording a test pattern in at least one of a run-in area and a run-out area of a recording unit block and detecting the characteristics of the laser diode, and a method of controlling the same. The method of controlling an optical disc drive can include recording a test pattern in at least one of a header and a tail of a recording unit block including a data area having a predetermined size, detecting input/output characteristics of a laser diode via the recorded test pattern, and controlling the laser diode such that the laser diode generates a target output on the basis of the detected input/output characteristics.