30+ XAT Time and Work Questions PDF: Formulas, Shortcuts + PYQs

Overview: XAT Time and Work Questions are an important part of the Arithmetic section in Quantitative Aptitude. These questions test your understanding of efficiency, work rate, combined work, pipes and cisterns, and time-based calculations.

In this blog, you will find important formulas, shortcut tricks, solved examples, and 30 time and work XAT questions with answers to improve your Quant preparation.

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Table of Contents

1. What are XAT Time and Work Questions?
2. XAT Time and Work Questions Overview
3. Importance of XAT Time and Work Questions
4. Important Time and Work Formulas
5. Shortcut Tricks for XAT Time and Work
6. 30 XAT Time and Work Questions with Answers
7. Important Areas to Focus
8. Common Mistakes Students Make
9. Tips to Improve Accuracy
10. Conclusion

What are XAT Time and Work Questions?

XAT Time and Work questions are a fundamental part of the Quantitative Ability section in XAT and other MBA entrance exams. These problems evaluate a candidate's understanding of work efficiency, productivity, and the relationship between time and task completion

Aspect	Explanation
Meaning	These questions are based on how much work a person, machine, or group can complete in a fixed time.
Main Concept	They focus on efficiency, time taken, work rate, and combined productivity.
Common Format	A and B complete a task separately or together, and students need to calculate time, work, or efficiency.
Best Method	LCM method, one-day work method, and efficiency ratio method.

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XAT Time and Work Questions Overview

Particulars	Details
Topic	Time and Work
Section	Quantitative Aptitude
Question Type	Arithmetic-based MCQs
Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate
Expected Questions	1-3 Questions
Skills Tested	Efficiency, ratios, fractions, calculation speed, and accuracy

Importance of XAT Time and Work Questions

XAT Time and Work questions is one of the most important arithmetic topics in XAT because it tests a candidate's ability to understand efficiency, productivity, and work-rate relationships. Questions from this topic are generally formula-driven and can be solved quickly with sufficient practice.

The table below highlights why Time and Work is important for XAT preparation and how mastering this topic can improve overall exam performance.

Importance	How It Helps
Scoring Topic	Most questions are formula-based and can be solved quickly with practice.
Improves Arithmetic Base	Strengthens ratios, fractions, percentages, and efficiency concepts.
Useful for MBA Exams	Helpful for XAT, CAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT, and other entrance exams.
Boosts Speed	Shortcut methods reduce solving time in the exam.
Improves Accuracy	Clear concepts reduce calculation errors and guesswork.

Important Time and Work Formulas

Understanding Time and Work formulas is essential for solving XAT Time and Work questions quickly and accurately in aptitude and MBA entrance exams. These formulas help candidates calculate work efficiency, completion time, individual contributions, and combined work rates with ease. Learning and regularly practicing these concepts can significantly improve problem-solving speed and reduce calculation errors during the exam.

The table below summarizes the most important Time and Work formulas along with their meanings and practical applications.

Formula	Meaning	Usage
Work = Time × Efficiency	Total work depends on time and working speed.	Basic work questions
Efficiency = Work ÷ Time	Efficiency means work done per unit time.	Worker comparison
Time = Work ÷ Efficiency	Time is inversely related to efficiency.	Finding completion time
One Day Work = 1 ÷ Number of Days	Work done by a person in one day.	Combined work
A + B Work = 1/x + 1/y	Combined one-day work of A and B.	Teamwork questions
Efficiency Ratio = Inverse of Time Ratio	If one person takes less time, they are more efficient.	Ratio-based questions

Shortcut Tricks for XAT Time and Work

Shortcut	How to Use It	Best For
LCM Method	Assume total work as the LCM of given days.	Combined work questions
Efficiency Method	Convert time taken into work done per day.	Worker comparison questions
Ratio Method	Use inverse relation between time and efficiency.	Efficiency ratio questions
Net Work Method	Subtract negative work from positive work.	Pipes and cisterns

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30+ XAT Time and Work Questions with Answers

Q1. A can complete a work in 10 days. How much work can A complete in one day?

A. 1/5
B. 1/10
C. 1/15
D. 1/20

Answer: B. 1/10

Q2. A can do a work in 12 days and B can do it in 24 days. How long will they take together?

A. 6 days
B. 8 days
C. 10 days
D. 12 days

Answer: B. 8 days

Q3. A is twice as efficient as B. If A completes a work in 8 days, how long will B take?

A. 4 days
B. 8 days
C. 12 days
D. 16 days

Answer: D. 16 days

Q4. A and B together complete a work in 6 days. A alone completes it in 10 days. How long will B take alone?

A. 12 days
B. 15 days
C. 18 days
D. 20 days

Answer: B. 15 days

Q5. A pipe fills a tank in 8 hours and another pipe fills it in 12 hours. How long will both pipes take together?

A. 4.8 hours
B. 5 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 7 hours

Answer: A. 4.8 hours

Also Practice | XAT 2025 Question Paper

Q6. A completes 1/4 of a work in 5 days. How long will A take to complete the full work?

A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 20 days
D. 25 days

Answer: C. 20 days

Q7. A and B can complete a work in 20 and 30 days respectively. Find their combined one-day work.

A. 1/12
B. 1/15
C. 1/10
D. 1/18

Answer: A. 1/12

Q8. Two workers complete a work in 9 days. If one worker alone takes 18 days, how long will the other take?

A. 9 days
B. 12 days
C. 18 days
D. 24 days

Answer: C. 18 days

Q9. A can complete a work in 15 days. B is 50% more efficient than A. How long will B take?

A. 8 days
B. 10 days
C. 12 days
D. 15 days

Answer: B. 10 days

Q10. A tank is filled by a pipe in 6 hours and emptied by another pipe in 9 hours. If both are opened, when will the tank fill?

A. 12 hours
B. 15 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 20 hours

Answer: C. 18 hours

Also Practice | XAT 2024 Question Paper

Q11. A can complete a work in 16 days and B can complete it in 24 days. How long will they take together?

A. 8.6 days
B. 9.6 days
C. 10.6 days
D. 12 days

Answer: B. 9.6 days

Q12. A is 25% more efficient than B. If B completes a work in 25 days, how long will A take?

A. 15 days
B. 18 days
C. 20 days
D. 22 days

Answer: C. 20 days

Q13. A and B together complete a work in 12 days. B alone completes it in 30 days. How long will A take alone?

A. 18 days
B. 20 days
C. 24 days
D. 30 days

Answer: B. 20 days

Q14. A can complete a work in 18 days. B can complete the same work in 36 days. How much work will they complete together in 6 days?

A. 1/4
B. 1/3
C. 1/2
D. 2/3

Answer: C. 1/2

Q15. A pipe fills a tank in 5 hours and another fills it in 10 hours. How long will both take together?

A. 2 hours 20 minutes
B. 3 hours 20 minutes
C. 4 hours
D. 5 hours

Answer: B. 3 hours 20 minutes

Q16. A can finish a work in 30 days. After working for 10 days, what fraction of work is left?

A. 1/3
B. 1/2
C. 2/3
D. 3/4

Answer: C. 2/3

Q17. A and B can complete a work in 15 days. A alone can complete it in 25 days. How long will B take alone?

A. 35.5 days
B. 37.5 days
C. 40 days
D. 45 days

Answer: B. 37.5 days

Q18. A is three times as efficient as B. If together they complete a work in 6 days, how long will A take alone?

A. 8 days
B. 10 days
C. 12 days
D. 15 days

Answer: A. 8 days

Q19. A tank can be filled in 12 hours and emptied in 18 hours. If both pipes are open, how long will it take to fill?

A. 24 hours
B. 30 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 40 hours

Answer: C. 36 hours

Q20. A completes 3/5 of a work in 15 days. How long will A take to complete the full work?

A. 20 days
B. 25 days
C. 30 days
D. 35 days

Answer: B. 25 days

Also Practice | XAT 2023 Question Paper

Q21. A and B can complete a work in 10 days, while B and C can complete it in 12 days. If A alone takes 30 days, how long will B and C together take?

A. 10 days
B. 12 days
C. 15 days
D. 18 days

Answer: B. 12 days

Q22. A and B can do a work in 8 days. B and C can do it in 12 days. C and A can do it in 24 days. How long will A, B, and C together take?

A. 6 days
B. 7 days
C. 8 days
D. 9 days

Answer: A. 6 days

Q23. A can complete a work in 40 days. B is 60% more efficient than A. How long will B take?

A. 20 days
B. 25 days
C. 30 days
D. 32 days

Answer: B. 25 days

Q24. A and B together complete a work in 5 days. If A alone takes 15 days, how long will B take alone?

A. 6.5 days
B. 7.5 days
C. 8.5 days
D. 10 days

Answer: B. 7.5 days

Q25. A pipe fills a tank in 9 hours and another pipe empties it in 18 hours. If both are opened together, how long will the tank take to fill?

A. 12 hours
B. 15 hours
C. 18 hours
D. 20 hours

Answer: C. 18 hours

Q26. A can do a work in 14 days and B can do it in 21 days. How long will they take together?

A. 7.4 days
B. 8.4 days
C. 9.4 days
D. 10.4 days

Answer: B. 8.4 days

Q27. A is 20% less efficient than B. If B completes a work in 16 days, how long will A take?

A. 18 days
B. 20 days
C. 22 days
D. 24 days

Answer: B. 20 days

Q28. A and B complete a work in 18 days. A alone takes 45 days. How long will B take alone?

A. 25 days
B. 28 days
C. 30 days
D. 35 days

Answer: C. 30 days

Q29. A can complete a work in 11 days and B in 22 days. How long will they take together?

A. 7⅓ days
B. 8⅓ days
C. 9⅓ days
D. 10⅓ days

Answer: A. 7⅓ days

Q30. A and B together can complete a work in 16 days. If A alone takes 48 days, how long will B take alone?

A. 20 days
B. 24 days
C. 28 days
D. 32 days

Answer: B. 24 days

Important Areas to Focus in XAT Time and Work Questions

Topic	Priority Level	Reason
Combined Work	High	Most commonly tested concept in Time and Work questions.
Efficiency and Ratios	High	Useful for solving questions quickly using shortcuts.
Pipes and Cisterns	Moderate	Frequently appears as an application of Time and Work concepts.
Work and Wages	Moderate	Tests proportional reasoning and work distribution.
Alternate Work	Moderate	Can be tricky and requires careful calculation.

Common Mistakes in Time and Work XAT Questions

Mistake	Why It Happens	How to Avoid It
Confusing time with efficiency	Students forget that time and efficiency are inversely related.	Convert time into one-day work first.
Not using LCM method	Students use fractions directly and waste time.	Assume total work as LCM of given days.
Ignoring negative work	Outlet work in pipes and cisterns is sometimes added by mistake.	Subtract outlet efficiency from inlet efficiency.
Misreading together or alone conditions	Students confuse combined work with individual work.	Underline words like alone, together, and separately.

Tips to Improve Accuracy in XAT Time and Work Questions

Tip	How It Helps
Learn the basic formulas	Helps solve standard questions quickly.
Practice the LCM method	Makes combined work questions faster.
Revise efficiency ratios	Helps in comparison-based questions.
Solve mixed arithmetic questions	Improves application skills across Quant topics.
Take sectional tests	Improves speed and exam confidence.
Analyze wrong answers	Helps avoid repeated mistakes.

Conclusion

XAT Time and Work Questions can become a scoring area if your basics are clear. The topic is mostly formula-based and can be solved quickly using the LCM method, efficiency method, and ratio shortcuts.

To prepare well, revise formulas, practice time and work XAT questions, and analyze mistakes after every mock test. With regular practice, you can improve both speed and accuracy in the XAT Quantitative Aptitude section.