Odd One Out
Identifying the item that does not belong in a group
Explanation
What is Odd One Out?
You are given a group of words (usually 4 or 5) and must find the one that does not belong with the others. The other items share a specific property that the odd one out lacks.
Common Categories to Look For
| Category Type | Example | Odd One Out |
|---|---|---|
| Class / Type | Dog, Cat, Eagle, Fish | Eagle (only bird) |
| Letter Pattern | CAT, RAT, BAT, CAR | CAR (doesn't rhyme with -AT) |
| Meaning | Happy, Joyful, Elated, Glum | Glum (only negative) |
| Number of Syllables | Apple, Banana, Cat, Orange | Cat (only 1 syllable) |
| Starting Letter | Ball, Bat, Cup, Bus | Cup (doesn't start with B) |
| Function | Spoon, Fork, Pen, Knife | Pen (not cutlery) |
Strategy & Key Tips
- Look for a group — find 3 or 4 words that share something specific.
- The leftover word is the odd one out.
- Try multiple grouping ideas — sometimes more than one grouping seems valid; pick the most specific or obvious one.
Example: Red, Blue, Circle, Green
Red, Blue, Green are all colours → Circle is the odd one out.
Key Tips
- Don't just look at meaning — also check spelling patterns, syllables, or letters
- The odd one out is never ambiguous in well-set questions — always confirm the group shares something specific
- If two groupings seem valid, pick the one that groups three or more items together
- Look at word length, vowels, consonant patterns as alternative grouping criteria
Sample Practice Questions
-
Which is the odd one out: January, March, May, June? (Hint: days in the month)
Show answer
Answer: June
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Which is the odd one out: Paris, London, Sydney, Antarctica?
Show answer
Answer: Antarctica
-
Which is the odd one out: Red, Circle, Blue, Green?
Show answer
Answer: Circle
-
Find the odd one out: red, blue, green, dog
Show answer
Answer: dog
Practice Questions
Test your knowledge of Odd One Out with a timed quiz. Answers are revealed at the end.
Take Quiz →Frequently Asked Questions
What does Odd One Out cover in the Selective Entry Verbal Reasoning exam?
Identifying the item that does not belong in a group.
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