Odd one out is one of the standard non-verbal reasoning patterns in GL-style 11+ papers. Five shapes; four follow a rule, one breaks it. NVR rewards method over talent more than any other 11+ subject — children who learn to interrogate shapes systematically routinely overtake 'naturally spatial' peers who guess.
What the question looks like
Five shapes; four follow a rule, one breaks it. Expect several per paper; in reasoning-only regions such as Lincolnshire, NVR carries half the total marks.
The method
Name what the shapes share out loud — sides, shading, rotation, count — one property at a time. The odd one differs on exactly one property; if two candidates differ, you've picked the wrong property.
The traps
Checking multiple properties at once; being distracted by size when the rule is shading.
How to practise this type
Do this type in short, focused bursts — ten questions, mark, review every error out loud ('what property did I miss?'). Our free NVR worksheet sets isolate each pattern, the full NVR types list maps the territory, and timed mock papers knit the types back together at exam pace.