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Important IPMAT Time and Work Questions with Solutions 2027
June 30, 2026
Overview: Surprising insights from exam analysis reveal that IPMAT time and work questions challenge even top candidates. Explore key strategies and expert tips to solve these problems quickly.
The Time and Work Questions form a significant part of the quantitative section of the Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT), conducted by IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak.
These questions challenge candidates to calculate the time required to complete tasks by individuals or groups working at different rates.
The IPMAT time and work questions assess students' understanding of work rate, efficiency, and collaborative efforts.
Table of Contents
Overview of IPMAT Time and Work Questions for 2027
Time and work problems are a prominent part of the Quantitative Ability section of the 2027 IPMAT exam.
The questions test students' skills in solving day-to-day work problems, such as determining the time it takes for people or machines to complete a job and calculating workers' efficiency when working together.
One to two questions are usually in the exam, so the subject is crucial for the candidates.
To perform well in IPMAT Time and Work questions, students must understand basic mathematical operations such as addition, division, and ratio calculations.
The questions also require logical reasoning to comprehend how different workers, pipes, or machines work together to finish a specific job within a time frame.
For IPMAT 2027 candidates, this topic is a must-master as it is part of the general Arithmetic syllabus, which is often used in competitive exams.
The best approach is systematic learning, consistent practice, and exposure to different questions.
Sample IPMAT Time and Work Questions with Solutions for 2027
Let's review a few typical Time and Work Questions and detailed solutions to help you understand the tricks to solve the questions.
Q1. A man rows 13 km upstream and 28 km downstream in 5 hours each. The velocity of the stream is:
- 2 km/hr
- 4 km/hr
- 1.5 km/hr
- 3 km/hr
Answer: 1.5 km/hr
Q2. A can do some work in 8 days, which B alone can do in 10 days. For how long can both cooperate to do it?
- 40/9 days
- 41/9 days
- 42/9 days
- 43/9 days
Answer: 40/9 days
Q3. A can do some work in 25 days, while B can complete it in 20 days. Together, both labour for 5 days, and afterwards, A leaves off. How long will it take B to complete the remaining work?
- 7 days
- 8 days
- 9 days
- 11 days
Answer: 11 days
Read: IPMAT Aptitude Trailing Zeroes Questions with Answers
These type of IPMAT time and work questions are common & it has the potential to increase your overall IPMAT score.
Q4. A and B work separately for 15 hours and 12 hours, respectively. Another man, C, can destroy the work in 4 hours if they start working at 8 am, 9 am, and 11 am, respectively. At what time will the total work be destroyed?
- 11 am
- 12 pm
- 2:40 pm
- 3:20 pm
Answer: 2:40 pm
Read: How to Solve Algebra Questions for IPMAT Exam 2027?
Q5. If 6 men and 8 boys can do a piece of work in 10 days while 26 men and 48 boys can do the same in 2 days, what do 15 men and 20 boys take the time?
- 4 days
- 6 days
- 7 days
- 5 days
Answer: 4 days
Q6. A tank is filled in 5 hours by three pipes A, B and C. Pipe C is twice as fast as B, and B is twice as fast as A. How much time will pipe A alone take to fill the tank?
- 20 hours
- 25 hours
- 35 hours
- Cannot be determined
Answer: 35 hours
Read: Quantitative Aptitude Questions for BBA Entrance Exam 2027
Q7. A can complete a work in 12 days, B in 15 days, and C in 20 days. They start working together. After 4 days, A leaves. Two days later, B leaves. How many more days will C take to finish the remaining work?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Answer: (b) 3
Q8. A pipe fills a tank in 18 hours and another pipe fills it in 24 hours. A leak can empty the full tank in 36 hours. If all three are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?
- 12 hours
- 14.4 hours
- 16 hours
- 18 hours
Answer: (b) 14.4 hours
Q9. Three pipes, A, B, and C, can fill a tank in 10, 15, and 30 hours, respectively. All three are opened together, but pipe C is closed after 2 hours. How long will the tank take to become full?
- 5 hours
- 6 hours
- 7 hours
- 8 hours
Answer: (b) 6 hours
Additional IPMAT Time and Work Questions with Solutions
Q10. A can complete a task in 10 days, and B can complete it in 15 days. How many days will it take them to complete the work together?
- 5 days
- 6 days
- 7 days
- 8 days
Answer: 6 days
Q11. A pipe can fill a tank in 12 hours, while another pipe can empty it in 18 hours. How long will it take to fill the tank if both pipes are opened together?
- 24 hours
- 30 hours
- 36 hours
- 42 hours
Answer: 36
Q12. A and B together can complete a task in 8 days. If A alone takes 12 days, how many days will B take alone?
- 16
- 20
- 24
- 28
Answer: 24 days
Q13. A can do a piece of work in 16 days. B is 50% more efficient than A. In how many days can B complete the same work?
- 10.67 days
- 11.5 days
- 12 days
- 13.33 days
Answer: 10.67 days
Such IPMAT time and work questions are easier to target and scoring.
Q14. If 4 men can complete a work in 12 days, how many days will 6 men take to complete the same work?
- 6 days
- 8 days
- 10 days
- 12 days
Answer: 8 days
Q15. Two pipes can fill a tank in 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. How long will it take to fill the tank if both are opened together?
- 10 minutes
- 12 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 18 minutes
Answer: 12 minutes
Q16. A contractor hires 8 workers to finish a project in 24 days. How many more workers should he hire to complete it in 16 days?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Answer: 4 workers
Q17. A does half of a work in 6 days. B alone can complete the entire work in 9 days. In how many days will A and B complete the work together?
- 3 days
- 4 days
- 5 days
- 6 days
Answer: 4 days
Q18. A group of workers can complete a task in 15 days. If 5 more workers join them, they can complete it in 10 days. How many workers were in the original group?
- 8 workers
- 9 workers
- 10 workers
- 12 workers
Answer: 10 workers
Given below are IPMAT time-and-work questions that also appear in quant and can be easily solved with short tricks.
Q19. A can do a job in 30 days, B in 40 days, and C in 60 days. How many days will it take them to complete the job together?
- 8 days
- 9 days
- 10 days
- 12 days
Answer: 10 days
Q20. A can complete a piece of work in 20 days, and B can complete the same work in 30 days. Working together, in how many days will they finish the work?
- 10 days
- 12 days
- 15 days
- 18 days
Answer: 12 days
High-Difficulty IPMAT Time & Work Questions with Answers
Q21. A can complete a work in 12 days, B in 18 days, and C in 24 days. They start together. After 3 days, A leaves, and after another 2 days, B leaves. In how many additional days will C finish the remaining work?
(a) 5 days
(b) 6 days
(c) 7 days
(d) 8 days
Answer: (b) 6 days
Q22. A pipe fills a tank in 15 hours and another pipe fills it in 20 hours. A leak can empty the full tank in 30 hours. If all three are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?
(a) 8 hours
(b) 10 hours
(c) 12 hours
(d) 15 hours
Answer: (c) 12 hours
Q23. A is twice as efficient as B, and B is three times as efficient as C. If C alone can complete a task in 36 days, then A and B together can complete it in:
(a) 8 days
(b) 9 days
(c) 10 days
(d) 12 days
Answer: (b) 9 days
Q24. A can complete a work in 20 days. B can complete the same work in 30 days. They work together for 6 days, after which B leaves. How many more days will A take to finish the work?
(a) 8 days
(b) 9 days
(c) 10 days
(d) 12 days
Answer: (a) 8 days
Q25. 12 men can complete a project in 15 days. After working for 5 days, 3 men leave. The remaining men complete the work in:
(a) 12 days
(b) 13.33 days
(c) 15 days
(d) 16 days
Answer: (b) 13.33 days
Q26. A and B together can complete a work in 10 days, while B and C together can complete it in 12 days. A and C together can complete it in 15 days. In how many days can all three together complete the work?
(a) 6 days
(b) 7 days
(c) 8 days
(d) 9 days
Answer: (c) 8 days
Q27. A pipe fills a tank in 24 minutes and another fills it in 36 minutes. A third pipe empties the tank in 72 minutes. If all three are opened together, the tank will be filled in:
(a) 16 min
(b) 18 min
(c) 20 min
(d) 24 min
Answer: (b) 18 min
Q28. A can do a piece of work in 40 days. B is 25% more efficient than A. C is 20% less efficient than B. In how many days can C complete the work?
(a) 38 days
(b) 40 days
(c) 42 days
(d) 44 days
Answer: (b) 40 days
Q29. A contractor estimates that 18 workers can complete a project in 30 days. After 10 days, only 15 workers remain. How many extra days are required to complete the project?
(a) 6 days
(b) 8 days
(c) 10 days
(d) 12 days
Answer: (b) 8 days
Q30. A and B can do a work together in 9 days. A alone takes 15 days. In how many days can B alone complete the work?
(a) 18 days
(b) 20 days
(c) 22.5 days
(d) 24 days
Answer: (c) 22.5 days
Q31. Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 12, 18 and 24 hours respectively. If all are opened together and pipe C is closed after 4 hours, how long will the tank take to fill?
(a) 6 hr
(b) 7 hr
(c) 8 hr
(d) 9 hr
Answer: (a) 6 hr
Q32. A completes 40% of a work in 8 days. B completes 60% of the same work in 9 days. Working together, they will complete the entire work in:
(a) 4.5 days
(b) 5 days
(c) 5.14 days
(d) 6 days
Answer: (c) 5.14 days
Q33. 20 workers can complete a work in 24 days. After every 6 days, 2 workers leave. In how many days will the work be completed?
(a) 28 days
(b) 30 days
(c) 32 days
(d) 34 days
Answer: (b) 30 days
Q34. A can complete a work in 16 days and B in 24 days. They work on alternate days starting with A. The work will be completed in:
(a) 18 days
(b) 19 days
(c) 20 days
(d) 21 days
Answer: (b) 19 days
Q35. A pipe fills a tank in 8 hours. Due to a leak, it actually takes 10 hours to fill. The leak alone can empty the full tank in:
(a) 20 hr
(b) 30 hr
(c) 40 hr
(d) 50 hr
Answer: (c) 40 hr
Q36. A, B and C can complete a work in 15, 20 and 30 days respectively. They work together for 4 days. Then C leaves. The remaining work is completed by A and B in:
(a) 4 days
(b) 5 days
(c) 6 days
(d) 7 days
Answer: (b) 5 days
Q37. A is 50% more efficient than B and B is 25% more efficient than C. If C takes 60 days to complete a work, A will complete it in:
(a) 30 days
(b) 32 days
(c) 36 days
(d) 40 days
Answer: (b) 32 days
Q38. A can do a work in 24 days. B can do the same work in 36 days. They work together for 8 days, after which A leaves and returns after 4 days. How many days will the work take in total?
(a) 15 days
(b) 16 days
(c) 17 days
(d) 18 days
Answer: (c) 17 days
Q39. Two pipes fill a tank in 10 and 15 hours respectively. They are opened alternately for one hour each, beginning with the faster pipe. The tank will be filled in:
(a) 11 hr
(b) 12 hr
(c) 12.5 hr
(d) 13 hr
Answer: (b) 12 hr
Q40. A can complete a work in 18 days and B in 24 days. They start together, but every third day only B works. In how many days will the work be completed?
(a) 12 days
(b) 13 days
(c) 14 days
(d) 15 days
Answer: (c) 14 days
Key Concepts in IPMAT Time and Work Questions 2027
To excel in Time and Work Questions, candidates need a solid understanding of several fundamental concepts from the syllabus:
1. Work Rate
The work rate is the fraction of the task completed per unit of time. For example, if a person can finish a task in 5 days, their work rate is 51 per day.
2. Combined Work Rate
When two or more individuals work together, their combined work rate is the sum of their rates. This concept is critical for solving Time and work questions for IPMAT that involve team efforts.
3. Efficiency
Efficiency measures how quickly a worker completes a task. The more efficient a worker is, the faster they complete the task. Understanding this concept is crucial for solving the more complex IPMAT questions from time and work.
Tips for Excelling in IPMAT Time and Work Questions 2027
To master Time and Work Questions, keep these IPMAT preparation tips in mind:
1. Understand Unit Work
Always convert the work done by each person into fractions of the whole task. This is key to solving IPMAT Time and Work-based questions involving multiple workers or machines.
2. Practice with Real-Life Scenarios
Many questions involve real-life applications, such as pipes filling or emptying tanks or workers completing tasks at different speeds. Practice with these types of problems to improve your understanding.
3. Solve Complex Questions Carefully
Some questions involve work destruction (like a pipe emptying a tank). In these cases, you'll need to subtract the rate of destruction from the total work rate.
4. Work Efficiently
Efficiency significantly affects the time and work required for the IPMAT exam. The faster a worker completes a task, the more efficient they are. Use efficiency ratios to solve questions involving workers with different speeds.
Conclusion
IPMAT Time and Work Questions are a critical component of the IPMAT exam. These questions require a deep understanding of the relationship between time, work, and efficiency.
By mastering the key concepts and practising a wide range of problems, you can significantly improve your chances of scoring well on this exam section.
Keep practising with different variations of IPMAT time and work-related questions to sharpen your problem-solving skills and enhance your speed during the test.
Mastering these questions will give you a distinct edge in the quantitative section of the IPMAT.
Check: IPMAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2027
Key Takeaways
-
Master Work Rate Calculation: Understanding how to calculate individual and combined work rates is crucial for efficiently solving IPMAT time and work-related questions.
-
Combine Work Rates for Multiple Workers: When multiple workers or machines are involved, their work rates are added to find the total time to complete a task.
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Efficiency Matters: Comparing efficiency is key in these questions, especially when different workers have varying speeds.
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Understand Pipes and Cisterns Problems: These are variations in Time and Work Questions involving the filling or emptying of tanks and require a unique approach.
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Practice Regularly: Consistent practice with different question types, including solving IPMAT previous year question papers, will enhance your ability to solve IPMAT Time and Work Questions quickly and accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Lalita Vishwakarma
Content Writer
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