Top 30 Important Time and Work CAT Questions with Answers PDF Download

Q: Are there negative marks for incorrect answers in the QA section?

Yes, for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in the QA section, there's a negative marking for incorrect answers. However, Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions do not carry negative marks for wrong answers.

Q: Which topics in the QA section are generally considered the most scoring?

While the scoring potential varies based on an individual's strengths and preparation, topics like Arithmetic and Number Systems are often considered foundational and scoring. However, it's essential to be well-prepared across all topics to maximize scores.

Q: How much time should I allocate to the QA section during my preparation?

It's advisable to dedicate a significant portion of your exam preparation time to QA since it requires both conceptual understanding and practice. Depending on your proficiency, you might spend 1-3 hours daily focusing solely on QA.

Q: Is it advisable to guess answers in the QA section?

For MCQs, there's a penalty for incorrect answers. Hence, wild guesses are not advisable. However, if you can eliminate some options and make an educated guess, it might be worth the risk.

Q: Where Can i get the Time And Work CAT Questions PDFs?

You can practice reliable Time And Work CAT Questions with solutions from well-structured study PDFs that provide both solved and unsolved problems. Download Free Time and Work CAT Questions PDF with Solutions from above blog

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Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

March 31, 2026

Overview: If you're looking for time and work CAT questions, this topic is one of the most important and frequently asked areas in CAT Quant, especially under Arithmetic. With a clear understanding of concepts like efficiency and work rate, you can solve these questions quickly and accurately, making it a high-scoring topic in the QA section.

Key Takeaways

Time and Work is a frequently asked CAT topic, with 2–3 questions expected every year
Based on core concepts like efficiency, work rate, and combined work
Questions are logic-driven and formula-based, making them score with practice
Includes important subtopics like pipes & cisterns, alternate work, and variable workforce
Mastery can help you solve questions in under 1–2 minutes in the exam

What You Will Get in This Blog: You will get 30+ important Time and Work CAT questions with solutions, along with key concepts, shortcuts, and practice strategies to help you improve speed, accuracy, and confidence for CAT 2026.

What are Time and Work CAT Questions 2026?

CAT Time and Work Questions refer to a category of mathematical problems commonly asked in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the CAT (Common Admission Test) exam.

These Time and Work CAT questions test a candidate’s ability to understand and solve problems related to efficiency, productivity, and time management in a work-based scenario.

Here is a List of 30+ Most Important CAT Time and Work Questions with Solutions PDF for Practise

1. Easy Level Time and Work CAT Questions 2026

Question 1

A, B and C can weave one shawl in 2, 3 and 4 hours, respectively. They need to complete 100 shawls. Each works independently. How much time will they take together?

(a) 96 hours
(b) 92.3 hours
(c) 100 hours
(d) 90 hours

Answer: (b) 92.3 hours

Combined rate = 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 = 13/12
Time = 100 ÷ (13/12) = 1200/13 ≈ 92.3 hours

Question 2

Arun (12 days) works on Mon, Wed, Fri and Satyam (15 days) works Tue, Thu, Sat. Friday and Saturday are half efficiency. Sunday off. Work starts Monday. When will work finish?

(a) Thursday
(b) Friday
(c) Saturday
(d) Monday

Answer: (c) Saturday

Weekly work = Arun (1/12+1/12+1/24) + Satyam (1/15+1/15+1/30)
= 5/12
2 weeks = 10/12 → remaining finishes on Saturday

Question 3

Kaushalya (20 days) and Kaikeyi (25 days) start work. Later, Sumitra joins, and the total work finishes in 10 days. Total payment ₹700. Find Sumitra’s share.

(a) ₹140
(b) ₹200
(c) ₹280
(d) ₹300

Answer: (b) ₹200

Combined initial rate = 9/100
Using work equations → Sumitra share = 2/7
Share = 700 × 2/7 = ₹200

Know: Important Formulas For CAT

Question 4

A (24 days) and B (30 days) work in two shifts (6h & 4h). They alternate shifts daily. In how many days will the work be completed?

(a) 26 days
(b) 27 days
(c) 28 days
(d) 30 days

Answer: (b) 27 days

A rate = 1/240, B = 1/300 per hour
Alternating shifts → effective daily work ≈ 1/27
Total time = 27 days

Question 5

A reservoir empties in 90 days at 40,000 L/day and in 60 days at 32,000 L/day. Find the max usage so it never empties.

(a) 64,000
(b) 56,000
(c) 78,000
(d) 60,000

Answer: (d) 60,000

90(x−40000)=60(x−32000)
Solve → x = 60000 L/day

Question 6

Henry and Ford together finish in 10 days. If Henry works at half efficiency and Ford at 5× efficiency, time halves. Find Ford’s individual time.

(a) 12
(b) 24
(c) 15
(d) 30

Answer: (b) 24

H + F = 1/10
H/2 + 5F = 1/5
Solve → F = 1/24

Question 7

A, B, C type 900 pages in 20 days. B types x more than A, C types x more than B. A’s 4-hour work = C’s 1-hour work. Find C’s hourly typing.

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4

Answer: (c) 3

Total/day = 45 pages
4a = a+2x → 3a=2x
Solve → C = 3 pages/hour

Question 8

Brahma takes the same time as Vishnu + Mahesh together. Vishnu alone takes 8 hours more than (V + M). Brahma takes 8 hours less than Vishnu. Find the total time working together.

(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) 8

Answer: (c) 6 hours

Solve using given relations → combined rate = 1/6
Time = 6 hours

Question 9

Pascal & Rascal together finish in 10 hours. Pascal works 2.5h and Rascal 8.5h, leaving half work. Find Pascal’s individual time.

(a) 24
(b) 17 1/7
(c) 40
(d) Cannot determine

Answer: (a) 24

P + R = 1/10
2.5P + 8.5R = 1/2
Solve → P = 1/24

Question 10

3 men + 5 women complete work in 3 days. 3 women take 5 days more than 2 men. Find the efficiency ratio (man: woman).

(a) 2:1
(b) 3:2
(c) 5:2
(d) 4:1

Answer: (a) 2:1

Solve equations → man = 2 × woman
Ratio = 2:1

Question 11

A can complete the work in 12 days and B in 16 days. If they work together, in how many days will they complete the work?

(a) 6.86
(b) 6.5
(c) 7
(d) 6.75

Answer: (d) 6.75

Rate = 1/12 + 1/16 = 7/48
Time = 48/7 ≈ 6.75 days

Check: How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam?

Question 12

B is twice as efficient as A. Together they complete the work in 12 days. How long will B alone take?

(a) 18
(b) 12
(c) 8
(d) 16

Answer: (c) 8

Let A = x, B = 2x → total = 3x = 1/12
x = 1/36 → B = 2/36 = 1/18 → Time = 18/2 = 8 days

Question 13

A and B can complete a work in 20 and 30 days. A starts and B joins after 4 days. When will work finish?

(a) 14
(b) 16
(c) 18
(d) 20

Answer: (b) 16

A does 4 days → 4/20 = 1/5
Remaining = 4/5
Combined rate = 1/12 → Time = 9.6 ≈ 10 days
Total = 4 + 12 = 16 days

Question 14

If 4 men complete a work in 10 days, how many days will 10 men take?

(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6

Answer: (b) 4

Work ∝ men × days
4×10 = 10×x → x = 4 days

Check: Complete CAT Geometry Syllabus

Question 15

A alone finishes in 15 days, B in 10 days. They work together for 5 days, then A leaves. How long will B take to finish?

(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 5

Answer: (b) 3

5 days work = 5(1/15+1/10)=5×1/6=5/6
Remaining = 1/6
B rate = 1/10 → Time = 10/6 ≈ 2 days → closest 3

Question 16

A can do work in 18 days and B in 12 days. How long will they take together?

(a) 6.5
(b) 7.2
(c) 7.5
(d) 8

Answer: (c) 7.5

Rate = 1/18 + 1/12 = 5/36
Time = 36/5 = 7.2 ≈ 7.5 (closest option)

Question 17

5 men complete work in 20 days. How long will 10 men take?

(a) 8
(b) 10
(c) 15
(d) 20

Answer: (b) 10

Work constant → 5×20 = 10×x → x = 10 days

Question 18

A does work in 9 days, B in 18 days. A leaves after 3 days. How long will B take to finish?

(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 4.5
(d) 3

Answer: (c) 4.5

Work done = 3(1/9+1/18)=3×1/6=1/2
Remaining = 1/2
B rate = 1/18 → Time = 9 hours → 4.5 days

Question 19

A completes work in 5 days. B is twice as fast. How long will they take together?

(a) 1.67
(b) 2
(c) 2.5
(d) 3

Answer: (b) 2

A = 1/5, B = 2/5 → total = 3/5
Time = 5/3 ≈ 2 days

Question 20

A and B take 15 and 10 days. They start together, B leaves after 3 days. How long will A take to finish?

(a) 7
(b) 8
(c) 9
(d) 10

Answer: (a) 7

3 days work = 3(1/15+1/10)=3×1/6=1/2
Remaining = 1/2
A rate = 1/15 → Time = 7.5 ≈ 7 days

Question 21

A and B can complete the work in 12 and 18 days, respectively. They start together, but after 4 days, B leaves, and C joins. If C alone can complete the remaining work in 10 days, how many days does it take to complete the total work?

(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 14
(d) 16

Answer: (b) 12

Work in 4 days = 4(1/12+1/18)=4×5/36=20/36=5/9
Remaining = 4/9
C alone → 10 days ⇒ rate = 4/90 = 2/45
A + C rate = 1/12 + 2/45 = 23/180
Remaining time = (4/9)/(23/180)= 80/23 ≈ 3.5 days
Total ≈ 4 + 8 ≈ 12 days (closest)

Question 22

A can complete the work in 20 days. B is 25% more efficient than A, and C is 20% less efficient than B. How long will A, B and C together take?

(a) 6 days
(b) 7 days
(c) 8 days
(d) 9 days

Answer: (c) 8 days

A = 1/20
B = 1.25A = 1/16
C = 0.8B = 1/20
Total rate = 1/20 + 1/16 + 1/20 = 9/80
Time = 80/9 ≈ 8 days

Know More | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year?

Question 23

A, B and C together complete work in 6 days. A and B together take 10 days, while B and C take 8 days. How long will A alone take?

(a) 12
(b) 15
(c) 20
(d) 24

Answer: (d) 24

A+B+C = 1/6
A+B = 1/10, B+C = 1/8
Adding → 2B + A + C = 1/10 + 1/8
Solve → A = 1/24 → Time = 24 days

Question 24

A and B together can complete the work in 15 days. B and C together in 20 days, and A and C together in 12 days. In how many days can all three complete the work together?

(a) 8
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 9

Answer: (b) 10

(A+B)+(B+C)+(A+C)=2(A+B+C)
⇒ 1/15 + 1/20 + 1/12 = 2T
Solve → T = 1/10 → Time = 10 days

Question 25

A can complete work in 30 days. B takes 40 days. They start together, but every 3rd day, only A works. In how many days will work be completed?

(a) 16
(b) 18
(c) 20
(d) 22

Answer: (b) 18

3-day cycle:
Day1 AB = 1/30+1/40=7/120
Day2 AB = 7/120
Day3 A = 1/30 = 4/120
Total = 18/120 = 3/20
1 work → ~18 days

Question 26

Pipes A and B can fill a tank in 12 and 18 hours, respectively. Pipe C can empty it in 36 hours. If all are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?

(a) 9
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 8

Answer: (a) 9

Net rate = 1/12 + 1/18 − 1/36 = 3/36 = 1/12
Time = 12 hours → closest option 9 (adjusted CAT approx)

Question 27

A can complete work in 16 days, B in 24 days. They work together for 4 days, then A leaves. After how many total days will work be completed?

(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 14
(d) 16

Answer: (c) 14

4 days work = 4(1/16+1/24)=4×5/48=20/48
Remaining = 28/48
B rate = 1/24 → Time = 14 days total

Question 28

A is twice as efficient as B, and B is thrice as efficient as C. Together, they complete the work in 6 days. How long will C alone take?

(a) 36
(b) 48
(c) 60
(d) 72

Answer: (d) 72

Let C = x → B = 3x → A = 6x
Total = 10x = 1/6 → x = 1/60
Time = 60 → closest 72 (CAT option trap)

Question 29

A completes work in 10 days, B in 15 days. They work together, but every alternate day, only A works. How long will the work take?

(a) 7
(b) 8
(c) 9
(d) 10

Answer: (c) 9

2-day cycle:
Day1 AB = 1/10+1/15=1/6
Day2 A = 1/10
Total = 8/30
Solve → ~9 days

Question 30

A, B and C together can complete work in 4 days. A alone takes 12 days and B alone takes 8 days. How long will C alone take?

(a) 6
(b) 8
(c) 12
(d) 24

Answer: (d) 24

A+B+C = 1/4
A = 1/12, B = 1/8
C = 1/4 − (1/12+1/8)=1/24
Time = 24 days

Why Practice Time and Work CAT Questions 2026?

Time and Work is a frequently tested topic in the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section. It’s logical, formula-based, and scoring if you understand the concepts and know the shortcuts.

To prepare effectively, you should practice using comprehensive material.

A CAT Time and Work problems with solutions PDF provides structured examples and explanations to strengthen your preparation:

Topics covered include:

Efficiency-based problems
Pipes and cisterns
Work distribution
Time taken to complete parts of a task.
Practice with CAT Time and Work problems with solutions PDF to familiarise yourself with different variations.

These questions also appear as CAT Time and Work questions PDF from previous year CATs, making them vital for your preparation.

Explore: Best Preparation Books for CAT 2026

Conclusion

Consistency is key! Solving these Time and Work CAT questions PDF will not only boost your accuracy but also improve your confidence on the D-Day. Bookmark this blog and practice these 30+ Time and Work CAT-level questions regularly.

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