Understand the rule first
Test more than one possible grouping rule. Prefer a precise rule shared by exactly three options, then explain why the fourth fails.
Classification & odd one out 11+ practice
Find a defensible shared rule and identify the item that breaks it.
Odd one out: oak, ash, pine, tulip.
- Oak, ash and pine are trees.
- Tulip is a flowering plant but not a tree.
- The exact shared class identifies tulip.
A common misconception
Choosing the least familiar word instead of testing a common property.
Reusable method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.Question 1 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Aflute
- Btrumpet
- Cclarinet
- Dviolin
Need a hint?
Three instruments are played by blowing air.
Show worked answer
Answer D: violin
Flute, trumpet and clarinet are wind instruments; violin is a string instrument.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 2 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Aglass
- Bcopper
- Ciron
- Dgold
Need a hint?
Three are metals.
Show worked answer
Answer A: glass
Copper, iron and gold are metals; glass is not.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 3 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Awhisper
- Bstride
- Cmurmur
- Dmutter
Need a hint?
Three words describe quiet speech.
Show worked answer
Answer B: stride
Whisper, murmur and mutter describe quiet speech; stride describes walking.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 4 of 10 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich is the odd one out?
- AJanuary
- BMarch
- CJune
- DMay
Need a hint?
Compare the number of days in each month.
Show worked answer
Answer C: June
January, March and May have 31 days; June has 30.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 5 of 10 Verbal Reasoningexam-styleWhich is the odd one out?
- Asparrow
- Beagle
- Crobin
- Dsalmon
Need a hint?
Three belong to the same animal class.
Show worked answer
Answer D: salmon
Sparrow, eagle and robin are birds; salmon is a fish.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 6 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Atriangle
- Bsquare
- Ccircle
- Dpentagon
Need a hint?
Three options are polygons with straight sides.
Show worked answer
Answer C: circle
A circle has no straight sides or vertices; the others are polygons.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 7 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Aoak
- Belm
- Cpine
- Drose
Need a hint?
Three are trees.
Show worked answer
Answer D: rose
A rose is a flowering shrub; oak, elm and pine are trees.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 8 of 10 Verbal ReasoningcoreWhich is the odd one out?
- Acow
- Bkitten
- Cpuppy
- Dfoal
Need a hint?
Three words name young animals.
Show worked answer
Answer A: cow
A cow is an adult animal; kitten, puppy and foal name young animals.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 9 of 10 Verbal ReasoningexamWhich number is the odd one out?
- A16
- B45
- C25
- D36
Need a hint?
Check which numbers are perfect squares.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 45
16, 25 and 36 are 4², 5² and 6². 45 is not a perfect square.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.
Question 10 of 10 Verbal ReasoningstretchWhich word cannot be made by rearranging exactly the same six letters as the others?
- ALISTEN
- BSILENT
- CLINES
- DENLIST
Need a hint?
Count and compare every letter.
Show worked answer
Answer C: LINES
LISTEN, SILENT and ENLIST use E, I, L, N, S, T. LINES has only five letters and lacks T.
Quick method: Test at least two possible grouping rules before deciding.