Classification Questions: Strategies and Examples

Classification questions challenge your ability to categorise or group given elements based on specific criteria. These questions are commonly found in law entrance exams and assess your logical thinking and pattern recognition skills. 

Understanding Classification Questions

Classification questions involve sorting a set of items into different categories or groups based on shared characteristics or attributes. Your task is to identify the underlying pattern or criteria for classification.

Strategies for Solving Classification Questions

• Analyse the Elements: Carefully examine the given elements or items that need to be classified. Look for patterns, similarities or differences.
• Identify Common Characteristics: Determine the common features or attributes shared by certain elements. These characteristics will help you establish categories.
• Look for Relationships: Identify relationships between elements, such as numerical sequences, alphabetical order, shapes, colours, sizes or any other relevant attributes.
• Group Elements: Group elements that exhibit the same or similar characteristics into categories based on the identified criteria.
• Test with New Elements: Apply the established criteria to new elements to ensure that they fit within the correct category.
• Eliminate Incorrect Options: If provided with multiple-choice options, eliminate options that do not conform to the established pattern.

Examples

Example 1: Classification by Shape:

Classify the following shapes into two categories – triangles and circles.

Elements: Triangle, Circle, Circle, Triangle, Circle

Classification: Triangles: Triangle, Triangle | Circles: Circle, Circle, Circle

Example 2: Classification by Color:

Classify the following objects into two categories – red and blue.

Elements: Apple, Pen, Book, Car, Blueberry

Classification: Red: Apple | Blue: Pen, Book, Car, Blueberry

Example 3: Classification by Size:

Classify the following animals into two categories – large and small.

Elements: Elephant, Mouse, Lion, Ant, Giraffe

Classification: Large: Elephant, Lion, Giraffe | Small: Mouse, Ant

Example 4: Classification by Number of Sides:

Classify the following shapes into two categories – quadrilaterals and polygons with more than four sides.

Elements: Square, Triangle, Pentagon, Hexagon, Rectangle

Classification: Quadrilaterals: Square, Rectangle | Polygons with >4 sides: Triangle, Pentagon, Hexagon

Example 5: Classification by Alphabetic Order:

Classify the following words into two categories – starting with vowels and starting with consonants.

Elements: Apple, Banana, Cat, Egg, Dog

Classification: Vowels: Apple, Egg | Consonants: Banana, Cat, Dog