Chapter 10: Classification – Aptitude Questions for Competitive Exams

Introduction

Classification, also known as Odd One Out, is a fundamental reasoning topic that tests a candidate’s ability to identify patterns, similarities, and differences among a group of items. It’s one of the most common sections in competitive exams like SSC, Banking, RRB, and Defense Aptitude Tests. This topic challenges your analytical mind to detect which object or concept doesn’t belong to the given group. The skill developed through this exercise strengthens logical deduction, pattern observation, and decision-making ability.

Types of Questions Asked

Word Classification:
Candidates identify the word that is different from the rest.
Example: Apple, Banana, Mango, Carrot → Carrot is different because it’s a vegetable.
Number Classification:
Detecting a number that does not follow the same mathematical rule.
Example: 4, 9, 16, 18 → 18 is odd because others are perfect squares.
Letter Classification:
Based on alphabetical arrangement or positional logic.
Figure Classification:
In non-verbal reasoning, one figure differs in shape, size, or design logic.
Mixed Classification:
Combines verbal and non-verbal logic to identify anomalies.