15+ Odd One Out CAT Questions with Answers Download PDF

Overview: Practice 15+ Odd One Out CAT questions for 2025 with detailed explanations. Learn how to identify the odd sentence, avoid common mistakes, and boost your VARC score."

Over the past 5 years, the number of Odd One Out CAT questions has varied, with as many as 6 questions appearing in CAT 2024, and typically 2 questions in earlier years. Notably, no such questions appeared in 2022.

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These CAT Odd One Out questions from CAT previous year papers test your ability to spot thematic consistency, logical flow, and subtle contextual differences. 

Continue reading to know what odd one out CAT questions are in the CAT exam and practice some sample questions to boost your preparation.

What is an Odd One Out CAT Question?

Odd One Out CAT questions are designed to test your ability to spot the sentence that does not belong within a group. You are given five sentences that appear to revolve around a theme.

Four of them can be logically connected to form a coherent paragraph, but one sentence will be unrelated, break the logical flow, or introduce a different topic or timeline.

Your task is to carefully read all five sentences and identify which one stands out as the odd one out in terms of context, theme, or logic.

Check | CAT Exam Day Instructions

Practice 15+ CAT Odd One Out Questions

Question 1 Five jumbled-up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Skepticism posits that true knowledge is impossible to attain with certainty.
2. Rationalism claims that reason alone can yield substantive knowledge about the world.
3. Empiricism argues that all knowledge originates in sensory experience.
4. Utilitarianism suggests that actions are morally right if they maximize happiness.
5. While these schools differ, they all fall under the branch of philosophy known as epistemology.

Answer: 4 

Question 2. Five jumbled-up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. For all bird species there is a prescribed path to development of the final song.
2. The most important auditory stimuli for the birds are the sounds of other birds.
3. A bird begins with the subsong, passes through plastic song, until it achieves the species song.
4. Much has been recently discovered about the development of songs in birds.
5. Some species are restricted to a single song learned by all individuals, others have a range of songs.

Answer: 2

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Question 3. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The largest numerical proportion of ocean plastic falls in small size fractions.
2. Ocean plastic is problematic for a number of reasons, but primarily because marine animals eat it.
3. Eating plastic has a number of negative consequences such as the retention of plastic particles in the gut for longer periods than normal food particles.
4. Aside from clogging up the digestive tracts of marine life, plastic also tends to adsorb pollutants from the water column.
5. Plastic in the oceans is arguably one of the most important and pervasive environmental problems today.

Answer: 1 

Question 4. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. They often include a foundation course on navigating capitalism with Chinese characteristics.
2. The global proliferation of MBA programs mirrors the rise of multinational corporations.
3. China’s top business schools have begun to revise their curricula to reflect local economic conditions.
4. The schools have replaced typical cases from US corporates with a focus on how Western theories apply to China's buzzing local firms.
5. These revisions suggest a move away from purely Western-centric business education models.

Answer: 2 

Question 5. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The existence of a market for such apps is unsurprising: shift work, a long-hours culture and blue light from screens have conspired to rob many of us of sufficient rest.
2. Sleep, nature's soft nurse, is a blissful, untroubled state all too easily disturbed by earthly worries or a guilty conscience.
3. A new threat to a good night's rest has emerged – smartphones, with sleep-tracking apps.
4. As more people seek solutions, the sleep-tech industry has exploded, offering devices from specialized mattresses to ambient noise machines.
5. These apps, ironically meant to monitor and improve sleep, often become another source of distraction late at night.

Answer: 2

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Question 6. Five jumbled-up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The historian Robert Proctor at Stanford University calls the suffix '-tron', along with '-matic' and '-stat', embodied symbols.
2. Like the heraldic shields of ancient knights, these morphemes were painted onto the names of scientific technologies to proclaim one's history and achievements.
3. 'Stat' signaled something measurable, while 'matic' advertised free labour; but 'tron', above all, indicated control.
4. It was a totem of high modernism, the intellectual and cultural mode that decreed no process or phenomenon was too complex to be grasped, managed and optimized.
5. To gain the suffix was to acquire a proud and optimistic emblem of the electronic and atomic age.

Answer: 4 

Question 7.  Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Though long since scientifically disproved, this factoid is still routinely trotted out.
2. Translators are like bumblebees.
3. The common assertion is that, according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumblebee should not be able to fly.
4. The comparison implies that translators, like the bee, perform a task that seems impossible.
5. In 1934, the French entomologist August Magnan pronounced the flight of the bumblebee to be aerodynamically impossible.

Answer: 2 

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Question 8. Five jumbled-up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. A typical example is Wikipedia, where the overwhelming majority of contributors are male.
2. The current automatic detection models miss out on something vital: context.
3. For instance, algorithms struggle to determine if group identifiers like "gay" or "black" are used in offensive ways because they're trained on imbalanced datasets.
4. Machine learning models are prone to learning human-like biases from the training data that feeds these algorithms.
5. Hate speech detection is part of the on-going effort against oppressive and abusive language on social media.

Answer: 1 

Question 9. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The water that made up ancient lakes and perhaps an ocean was lost.
2. Particles from the Sun collided with molecules in the atmosphere, knocking them into space or giving them an electric charge that caused them to be swept away by the solar wind.
3. A recent study reveals how Mars lost much of its early water, while another indicates that some liquid water remains.
4. Data from NASA's MAVEN orbiter show that solar storms stripped away most of Mars's once-thick atmosphere.
5. Most of the planet's remaining water is now frozen or buried, but clues suggested that some liquid water might survive in underground aquifers.

Answer: 1 

Question 10.  Five jumbled-up sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. In most cases, even a small cost of immunisation was large enough to discourage most people.
2. Not only do they have to think that they prefer to spend time going to the camp next month rather than today, they also have to believe that they will indeed go next month.
3. For people to continuously postpone getting their children immunized, they would need to be constantly fooled by themselves.
4. In the specific case of immunization, however, it is hard to believe that time inconsistency by itself would be sufficient to make people permanently postpone the decision.
5. In many cases, time inconsistency is what prevents us from going from intention to action.

Answer: 1 

Question 11 Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. In 1962, Kenneth Arrow, the guru of mainstream economics, said that in a free market economy the purpose of inventing things is to create intellectual property rights.
2. You can observe the truth of this in every e-business model ever constructed: monopolise and protect data.
3. Economists and technologists believe that a new kind of capitalism is being created - different from industrial capitalism as was merchant capitalism.
4. Yet information is abundant. Information goods are freely replicable. Once a thing is made, it can be copied and pasted infinitely.
5. There is, alongside the world of monopolised information and surveillance, a different dynamic growing up: information as a social good, incapable of being owned or exploited or priced.

Answer: 3

Question 12. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence raises complex ethical questions that society is only beginning to grapple with, ranging from job displacement to algorithmic bias.
2. It's crucial to establish regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with the exponential growth of AI technologies to ensure responsible deployment.
3. The advent of deep learning algorithms has significantly accelerated progress in natural language processing and computer vision.
4. Many historians believe that the steam engine was the most consequential technological innovation of the 19th century, dramatically altering global economics.
5. A public dialogue involving technologists, policymakers, and ethicists is necessary to define the acceptable limits and beneficial applications of AI.

Answer:  4

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Question 13. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The sheer volume of data generated daily has led to an increasing demand for sophisticated data analytics tools and personnel trained in data science.
2. However, this abundance also presents a 'signal-to-noise' problem, making it difficult for organizations to extract meaningful, actionable insights.
3. The shift to remote work during the pandemic fundamentally altered corporate dynamics, necessitating new approaches to team management and communication.
4. Data governance, which covers data quality, privacy, and security, is becoming a non-negotiable part of business strategy.
5. Ultimately, the value of 'Big Data' lies not in its size, but in the analytical capability applied to it to drive business intelligence.

Answer: 3

Question 14. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer: 

1. Minimalist architecture, with its clean lines and unadorned surfaces, emphasizes the functional aspects of space over superfluous decoration.
2. This aesthetic is often rooted in the Japanese Zen tradition, seeking purity and simplicity in design and form.
3. Architects employing this style often rely on texture, light, and the quality of materials to create visual interest, rather than colour or ornamentation.
4. Critics of contemporary art argue that much of it lacks the technical skill and foundational training evident in Renaissance masterpieces.
5. By stripping elements down to their necessary components, the focus shifts to how the inhabitants interact with the built environment.Correct Answer: D. Sentence 4

Question 15. Five jumbled up sentences related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The "Tragedy of the Commons" describes a situation where individual users, acting independently according to their own self-interest, deplete a shared resource.
2. This economic theory is frequently applied to issues of environmental degradation, such as overfishing or uncontrolled carbon emissions.
3. The core problem lies in the dissonance between private benefit and collective cost, making sustainable use an elusive goal.
4. Game theory, a branch of mathematics, is used extensively in political science to model conflict and cooperation between rational decision-makers.
5. One proposed solution involves privatization or, alternatively, the implementation of strong, collective regulatory bodies to enforce sustainable usage.

Answer: 4

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Question 16. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Globalization has led to an unprecedented level of cultural exchange, with ideas, customs, and products circulating rapidly across borders.
2. This cultural homogenization, however, often comes at the expense of local traditions and indigenous knowledge systems, which can be overshadowed.
3. Many local communities are responding by actively working to preserve and revitalize their heritage through educational and cultural programs.
4. The emergence of new regional trade blocs is dramatically reshaping international economic power dynamics and supply chains.
5. Therefore, the challenge for a globalized world is to achieve a balance between economic integration and the maintenance of cultural diversity.

Answer: 4

Question 17. Five jumbled-up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The rise of the citizen-scientist, equipped with accessible technology and online forums, is democratising the process of scientific inquiry.
2. These amateurs often contribute invaluable data to large-scale projects, such as astronomical surveys or bird migration tracking.
3. The collaboration between professional researchers and the public accelerates data collection and spatial coverage that would otherwise be impossible.
4. Funding for fundamental scientific research is often difficult to secure, as the immediate commercial applications are not always evident to investors.
5. This participatory approach fosters a greater public appreciation for scientific methodologies and critical thinking.

Answer: 4

Question 18. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Fictional literature plays a crucial role in developing a reader's sense of empathy, allowing them to inhabit perspectives radically different from their own.
2. Neuroscientists have observed that reading complex narratives activates regions of the brain associated with theory of mind and emotional processing.
3. The transition from physical books to e-readers has significantly lowered the cost of accessing a vast library of classic and contemporary texts.
4. By vicariously experiencing the struggles and triumphs of characters, readers gain a deeper understanding of human complexity and motivation.
5. This capacity for emotional resonance and imaginative identification is one of the most powerful, non-utilitarian benefits of reading novels.

Answer: 3

Question 19. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. The concept of 'Flow State,' as described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a mental state where a person is fully immersed in an activity.
2. It is characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.
3. Achieving this state requires a balance between the challenge of the task and the skill level of the individual, preventing both boredom and anxiety.
4. Research into sleep cycles reveals that deep REM sleep is essential for memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
5. During the flow state, one's sense of time is often distorted, and the activity becomes an autotelic experience—an end in itself.

 Answer: 4

Question 20. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Planetary exploration, once the domain of national space agencies, is increasingly being driven by private aerospace companies, leading to innovation and cost reduction.
2. This commercialization has accelerated the timeline for potential missions to the Moon and Mars, moving them from decades away to the near future.
3. However, this rapid growth necessitates a serious discussion about the legal and ethical framework for exploiting off-world resources.
4. Many leading scientists believe that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) should receive more funding to better utilize advanced radio telescope technology.
5. Ultimately, a cooperative model combining government oversight with private sector agility seems the most effective way to manage the 'New Space' race.Correct Answer: D. Sentence 4

Question 21. Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

1. Modern supply chains are highly complex, interdependent networks that rely on just-in-time inventory management to minimize warehousing costs.
2. This efficiency, while maximizing profit margins, also introduces significant fragility, making the entire system vulnerable to unforeseen global disruptions.
3. The grounding of a single major cargo ship or a regional pandemic can trigger cascading delays across numerous industries worldwide.
4. Economists are debating whether central banks should raise interest rates to curb persistent inflation or hold steady to avoid triggering a recession.
5. Therefore, a strategic shift toward 'just-in-case' stockpiling and regionalized sourcing might be necessary to enhance systemic resilience.

Answer:  4

CAT Odd One Out Questions Weightage Over the Past 5 Years

Here is the weightage of the Odd one Out CAT questions over the past 5 years:

Year	No. of Questions
2024	6
2023	2
2022	0
2021	2
2020	2

Odd One Out CAT Questions 2025 Solving Strategy

• Identify the Core Theme: Read all five sentences to grasp the central topic or subject of discussion. What is the author primarily talking about?
• Look for Links and Pairs: Try to find logical connections between sentences. Look for:
  • Introduction Sentence: A general statement, often containing full names or broad concepts, usually starts the paragraph.
  • Mandatory Pairs: Sentences linked by pronouns (he, she, it, they), connecting words (thus, therefore, however, moreover), or sequence/chronology (firstly, next, finally).
  • Conclusion Sentence: A sentence that summarises or ends the discussion.
• Form the Coherent Paragraph: Use the links to arrange the four most connected sentences into a logical sequence.
• Isolate the Misfit: The sentence that discusses an unrelated tangent, an alternative topic, or a completely different aspect that does not fit into the theme or sequence of the four-sentence paragraph is the Odd One Out.

Check: Venn Diagram Practice Questions for CAT 2025

Mistakes to Avoid While Solving Odd One Out CAT Questions 2025

When solving Odd One Out CAT questions, avoid these common mistakes to improve accuracy and efficiency:

1. Relying solely on word similarity

Don’t pick the odd sentence just because it uses different words or vocabulary. Focus on the overall theme and logical coherence instead.

2. Overlooking subtle context shifts

Sometimes the odd sentence may seem related superficially but actually introduces a different topic, timeline, or tone. Look carefully for these subtle inconsistencies.

3. Ignoring sentence connectivity

Don’t ignore how sentences connect with each other. Try linking sentences in pairs or groups before concluding which one is the odd one.

4. Not reading all sentences thoroughly

Skimming or rushing through sentences often causes you to miss the underlying meaning or the bigger picture that reveals the odd sentence.

5. Choosing the longest or shortest sentence

The odd one out is not always the sentence that is longest or shortest. Avoid falling into this trap.

6. Forgetting the overall paragraph structure

Remember, four sentences form a coherent paragraph. Keep your focus on paragraph-level unity, not just individual sentences.

7. Not practicing enough

These CAT odd one out questions require experience in spotting logical flows and thematic consistency. Without enough practice, you may misjudge connections.

Avoiding these mistakes will help you solve Odd One Out CAT questions with better clarity and speed in the VARC section of CAT.

Conclusion

Odd One Out CAT questions are a vital component of the VARC section that test your ability to identify logical consistency and thematic coherence within a set of sentences.

By honing your skills to spot the sentence that disrupts the flow or introduces an unrelated idea, you can secure valuable marks with relatively straightforward effort.

Regular practice using quality CAT odd one out questions, combined with a clear strategy to recognize sentence connections, will enhance both your speed and accuracy.

Mastering CAT odd one out questions not only boosts your VARC score but also strengthens your overall reading and analytical ability, which are essential for MBA success and effective communication beyond the exam.