Talent and Careers Development Ltd

Here are the key strategies students should look out for when solving Odd One Out non-verbal reasoning questions:

• Count the sides of each shape. One shape may have a different number of sides from all the others — for example, a pentagon among quadrilaterals.
• Look at what is inside each shape. Check whether the inner shape, symbol or pattern is the same type across all figures. One figure may have a different inner shape (e.g. an arch instead of a circle).
• Count the symbols and compare. If figures contain symbols like × and +, count each type. Look for a rule such as "one symbol always outnumbers the other" — the odd one out breaks that rule.
• Check line direction and position. Is a line perfectly centred through a shape, or is it off-centre? Does it divide the shape into equal halves? The odd one out may have a line that doesn't follow the same rule as the others.
• Look at where dots or markers are placed. Are they at varying heights/positions across figures, or all at the same level? One figure may break the pattern.
• Check which direction things point. Arrows, markers or lines may all point inward (or outward) in four figures — one will point in the opposite direction.
• Look at where a small element is attached. A circle, dot or marker may always appear on the larger section of a shape — the odd one out will have it on the smaller section instead.
• Consider line style. One line may be dashed while others are solid, or one may extend beyond the shape boundary while others stay within it.
• Always compare one feature at a time. Go through shape, size, position, direction and number of elements systematically. The odd one out will fail exactly one of these checks while matching all others.