In each of the following questions, a group of three numbers/symbols is given in each option. Identify the group that does NOT follow the same pattern as the others.

Correct — D. Every term is a letter, its alphabet position and a symbol. The letters and numbers run A1 to L12 without a break, so they cannot decide.

Rule: the three symbols in a group are all different.

(a) carries @, # and $. (b) carries %, ^ and &. (c) carries an asterisk and two brackets.

J10_ : K11@ : L12@ repeats @, so option (d) is the odd one.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  A1@ : B2# : C3$ — @, # and $ are three different symbols, and A1, B2, C3 give each letter its position. Nothing in this group breaks the pattern.
• (b)
  D4% : E5^ : F6& — %, ^ and & are all different, and D4, E5, F6 match their letters' positions, so this group fits.
• (c)
  G7* : H8( : I9) — G7, H8 and I9 carry three different symbols, an asterisk and the two brackets, and each number is its letter's position. The group follows the pattern.

When each term has several strands, test each strand separately and keep the one that splits the options three to one.

Here the letters run A to L in order and every number is its letter's position, so both strands pass in all four groups. That leaves the symbols.

In (a), (b) and (c) no symbol repeats inside a group. In (d) @ appears twice, and @ has already been used in (a).

Key facts

• J = 10, K = 11 and L = 12, so the letter-number parts of option (d) are correct.
• Option (d) carries @ twice, at K11 and at L12.
• On a US-layout keyboard, Shift with keys 2 to 0 gives @ # $ % ^ & and then an asterisk and the two brackets.

Common traps

• Stopping at the letters and numbers, which pass in all four groups.
• Choosing (c) because brackets look unlike the other symbols.

No directly related past PYQ was found.