Internal Position Oddity

Internal Position Oddity problems present five figures where four have an internal element (dot, circle, or small shape) in the same position (e.g., top-left corner) and one has it in a different position (e.g., center). You must identify which figure has a differently placed internal element. These problems test spatial awareness and attention to element positioning.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
MediumDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

Introduction to Internal Position Oddity

Internal Position Oddity problems present five figures where four have an internal element (dot, circle, or small shape) in the same position (e.g., top-left corner) and one has it in a different position (e.g., center). You must identify which figure has a differently placed internal element. These problems test spatial awareness and attention to element positioning.

Prerequisites

Understanding of position concepts (top, bottom, left, right, center) Grid or coordinate awareness Visual comparison skills Attention to fine details
Why This Matters: Internal Position Oddity appears in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking PO exams. It tests spatial positioning and attention to detail.

How to Solve Internal Position Oddity Problems

1

Step 1: Identify the outer container shape and the internal element

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Step 2: Note the position of the internal element in each figure

3

Step 3: Determine which position appears most frequently

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Step 4: The figure with a different internal position is the odd one out

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Step 5: Verify that all other figures have the same internal position

Pro Strategy: Divide the outer shape into quadrants or use coordinate references. Compare the relative position of the internal element across all figures. The outlier will have the element in a noticeably different location.

Example Problem

Example: Four squares with a dot in the top-left corner, one square with a dot in the center. Which is odd? Solution: Step 1: Outer shape = square, internal element = dot Step 2: Positions: top-left, top-left, top-left, top-left, center Step 3: Most common = top-left Step 4: Center dot is different Answer: The square with center dot is the odd one out

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Positions can be: top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right, center
  • Use coordinates (x,y) to describe positions
  • The distance from edges can also be a distinguishing factor
  • Some problems use multiple internal elements with different positions

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

Mentally divide each figure into 3×3 grid sections
Compare the location of the internal element to the container's center
The outlier often has the element in the center when others have it in corners

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not establishing a clear reference frame
Confusing approximate positions with exact positions
Focusing on shape types instead of positions

Exam Importance

Internal Position Oddity is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
1-2 questions
BANKING PO
1-2 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
1-2 questions
CAT
0-1 questions
GMAT
0-1 questions
INSURANCE
1-2 questions

Ready to Master Internal Position Oddity?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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