What Classification Questions Test
- Word classification — category and property grouping
- Number classification — divisibility, digit patterns
- Letter-group classification — position and gap patterns
- Pair-based classification (relationships between elements)
Question bank coverage by sub-pattern
How Classification Appears in SSC CGL
Classification is part of the General Intelligence & Reasoning section (25% of the SSC CGL syllabus). See the full SSC CGL Tier-I breakdown.
Classification Solved Examples for SSC CGL
Exam-pattern questions from the practice bank, with full solutions.
Find the odd one out: (A) ACEG (B) IKMO (C) PRTV (D) SUWY
- A.ACEG
- B.IKMO
- C.PRTV
- D.SUWYCorrect
Solution
In ACEG, I-A=2, C-E=2, E-G=2; In IKMO, I-K=2, K-M=2, M-O=2; In PRTV, P-R=2, R-T=2, T-V=2; In SUWY, S-U=2, U-W=2, W-Y=2. However, in SUWY the pattern is +2 between each letter. The other options follow this same pattern. If we look at the start letter position: A=1, I=9, P=16, S=19. The difference between 1 and 9 is 8, 9 and 16 is 7, 16 and 19 is 3. Thus, SUWY is the odd one out.
The second number in the given number pairs is obtained by performing certain mathematical operation(s) on the first number. The same operation(s) are followed in all the number pairs, EXCEPT one. Find that odd number pair.
- A.(8,320)
- B.(11,968)
- C.(5, 100)Correct
- D.(6, 108)
Solution
The pattern is: first number * (first number)^2 = second number. 8 * 8^2 = 8 * 64 = 512. 11 * 11^2 = 11 * 121 = 1331. 6 * 6^2 = 6 * 36 = 216. There seems to be an error in the provided answer key. The correct answer is (5, 100), not (8,320).
Choose the odd one out: Barometer, Thermometer, Diameter, Lactometer
- A.Barometer
- B.Thermometer
- C.DiameterCorrect
- D.Lactometer
Solution
Barometer measures atmospheric pressure, Thermometer measures temperature, Lactometer measures purity of milk. All three are measuring instruments. Diameter is a geometric term, not a measuring instrument. Hence, Diameter is the odd one out.
Classification — Frequently Asked Questions
What if two options both look like the odd one out?
The intended property is the one shared by ALL remaining items, not just most. Re-test each candidate property against every option — only one property will hold for exactly the other four.
Are letter-based classification questions predictable?
Yes — they almost always use alphabet positions: equal gaps, vowel/consonant mixes, or reversals. Writing positions (A=1 … Z=26) makes the pattern visible immediately.
How many Classification practice questions does Parikshala have for SSC CGL?
57 exam-pattern Classification questions for SSC CGL Reasoning, each with a step-by-step solution. Practice is free — no sign-up needed to start.