Time, Speed & Distance Questions for SSC Selection Post: Practice Top Questions Now

If you are preparing for the SSC Selection Post exam, you simply cannot ignore the Quantitative Aptitude section. In this math section, “Time, Speed, and Distance” is a very important chapter. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) loves this topic! You can comfortably expect 2 to 3 direct questions from this single chapter in your exam, whether you are applying for Matriculation, Higher Secondary, or Graduate level posts. Many students feel scared when they see long word problems involving running trains, police catching thieves, or average speeds. They think it requires high-level math. But here is a big secret: this whole chapter runs on just one simple rule. Once you learn the basic trick to balance the units, you can solve these questions in just 10 seconds without any long calculations. To make your preparation super easy, we have explained this topic in simple words and provided real exam-level questions below.

What is Time, Speed & Distance? (Explained in Simple Words)

You do not need to memorize a full book of math formulas to pass this section. This topic is just about basic daily life travel.

There is only one Golden Formula you need to remember: Distance = Speed × Time

From this one rule, you can find anything:

• If you want Speed: Speed = Distance / Time
• If you want Time: Time = Distance / Speed

The Biggest Trick of this Chapter: The Unit Game The only place students make a mistake is the “units”. If the distance is in meters, the time MUST be in seconds, and the speed MUST be in meter/second (m/s).

• To convert km/hr into m/s: Multiply the speed by 5/18. (Example: 36 km/hr × 5/18 = 10 m/s).
• To convert m/s into km/hr: Multiply the speed by 18/5.

Train Rule: When a train crosses a pole or a standing man, the distance is only the length of the train. But when a train crosses a platform or a bridge, the total distance is the Length of Train + Length of Platform.

Important Time, Speed & Distance Questions for SSC Selection Post

Now you have understood the basic rules. But just reading theory is not enough. To score full marks, you must practice real exam-level questions. Grab a pen and solve these top repeated questions below to test your speed.

Q1. A car travels a distance of 400 km in 8 hours. What is the speed of the car?

(A) 40 km/hr
(B) 50 km/hr
(C) 60 km/hr
(D) 80 km/hr

Answer: (B) 50 km/hr

Explanation: This is a direct question. Speed = Distance / Time. Speed = 400 / 8 = 50 km/hr.

Q2. Convert the speed of 90 km/hr into meters per second (m/s).

(A) 15 m/s
(B) 20 m/s
(C) 25 m/s
(D) 30 m/s

Answer: (C) 25 m/s

Explanation: To convert km/hr to m/s, simply multiply by 5/18. 90 × (5 / 18) = 5 × 5 = 25 m/s.

Q3. A 300-meter long train is running at a speed of 54 km/hr. How much time will it take to cross an electric pole?

(A) 10 seconds
(B) 15 seconds
(C) 20 seconds
(D) 25 seconds

Answer: (C) 20 seconds

Explanation: First, convert speed into m/s. 54 × 5/18 = 15 m/s. When crossing a pole, Distance = Length of the train = 300 meters. Time = Distance / Speed = 300 / 15 = 20 seconds.

Q4. A train 200 meters long is running at 72 km/hr. How much time will it take to cross a platform 200 meters long?

(A) 10 seconds
(B) 15 seconds
(C) 20 seconds
(D) 25 seconds

Answer: (C) 20 seconds

Explanation: Speed in m/s = 72 × 5/18 = 20 m/s. Total Distance = Length of Train + Length of Platform = 200 + 200 = 400 meters. Time = Total Distance / Speed = 400 / 20 = 20 seconds.

Q5. A boy goes to his school at a speed of 4 km/hr and returns to his home at a speed of 6 km/hr. What is his average speed for the whole journey?

(A) 4.8 km/hr
(B) 5 km/hr
(C) 5.2 km/hr
(D) 4.5 km/hr

Answer: (A) 4.8 km/hr

Explanation: When the distance going and coming back is the exact same, use this simple trick: Average Speed = (2xy) / (x + y). Average Speed = (2 × 4 × 6) / (4 + 6) = 48 / 10 = 4.8 km/hr.

Q6. Two trains are moving in opposite directions at 60 km/hr and 40 km/hr. What is their relative speed?

(A) 20 km/hr
(B) 80 km/hr
(C) 100 km/hr
(D) 120 km/hr

Answer: (C) 100 km/hr

Explanation: When two things move towards each other (opposite direction), their speeds are added. Relative Speed = 60 + 40 = 100 km/hr.

Q7. A policeman spots a thief at a distance of 200 meters. The thief starts running and the policeman chases him. If their speeds are 10 km/hr and 12 km/hr respectively, how long will it take for the police to catch the thief?

(A) 5 minutes
(B) 6 minutes
(C) 8 minutes
(D) 10 minutes

Answer: (B) 6 minutes

Explanation: They are running in the same direction, so speeds are subtracted. Relative speed = 12 – 10 = 2 km/hr. Convert to m/s: 2 × 5/18 = 10/18 = 5/9 m/s. Distance gap = 200 meters. Time = Distance / Relative Speed = 200 / (5/9) = 1800 / 5 = 360 seconds. 360 seconds = 6 minutes.

Q8. Walking at 4/5th of his usual speed, a man reaches his office 15 minutes late. What is his usual travel time?

(A) 45 minutes
(B) 60 minutes
(C) 75 minutes
(D) 90 minutes

Answer: (B) 60 minutes

Explanation: A magic trick for such questions: If new speed is a/b of usual speed, then Usual Time = (Numerator × Late Time) / Difference between Numerator and Denominator. Usual Time = (4 × 15) / (5 – 4) = 60 / 1 = 60 minutes.

Q9. The ratio of the speeds of two cars is 5:6. What is the ratio of the time taken by them to cover the same distance?

(A) 5:6
(B) 6:5
(C) 25:36
(D) 36:25

Answer: (B) 6:5

Explanation: Speed and Time are strictly opposite (inversely proportional) to each other. If speed is fast, time is less. So, just reverse the ratio. Time ratio = 6:5.

Q10. A man covers a certain distance by bike at 30 km/hr and reaches 10 minutes late. If he travels at 40 km/hr, he reaches 5 minutes early. Find the distance.

(A) 20 km
(B) 25 km
(C) 30 km
(D) 40 km

Answer: (C) 30 km

Explanation: Simple formula trick: Distance = [Product of speeds / Difference of speeds] × Time difference in hours. Speeds are 30 and 40. Time difference = 10 min late + 5 min early = 15 minutes. Convert 15 minutes to hours = 15/60 = 1/4 hours. Distance = [ (30 × 40) / 10 ] × (1/4) = (1200 / 10) × 1/4 = 120 × 1/4 = 30 km.

5 Simple Tips to Prepare Math for SSC Selection Post

You do not need to be a math topper to score full marks. Just play smart. Here are 5 easy and practical tips to cover this topic quickly:

• Always Check the Units First: Before picking up the pen to multiply, look at the question. Is the distance in kilometers and time in seconds? If yes, change the units first! 90% of silly mistakes happen here.
• Memorize the 18 and 5 Tables: This is the best trick for SSC exams. Keep in mind that 18 km/hr = 5 m/s. So, 36 km/hr = 10 m/s, 54 km/hr = 15 m/s, 72 km/hr = 20 m/s. This will save you huge time in the exam hall.
• Opposite = Plus, Same = Minus: For relative speed questions (like two trains or police-thief), just remember this rhyme. If they are moving in opposite directions, add their speeds. If they are moving in the same direction, subtract them.
• Learn the Ratios: Do not use long ‘x’ and ‘y’ equations on your rough sheet. If you know how to reverse the ratio of speed to get the ratio of time, you can solve hard questions without writing a single step.
• Practice Previous Year Papers: The SSC board repeats the exact same math pattern every single year. Solve the previous year’s questions of SSC Selection Post, MTS, and CHSL. You will see the numbers changing, but the logic remains exactly the same!

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FAQs: Time, Speed & Distance for SSC Selection Post

1. Is the Time, Speed, and Distance chapter difficult in SSC Selection Post?

No, not at all! The mathematics asked in the SSC Selection Post exam checks your basic calculation speed and logic. If your basics are clear, it is very easy to score full marks.

2. How many questions can I expect from this topic?

You can comfortably expect 2 to 3 direct questions from this single topic in the Quantitative Aptitude section.

3. Are “Problems on Trains” a part of this topic?

Yes! Train questions are just a sub-topic of Time, Speed, and Distance. The basic formula (Distance = Speed x Time) remains exactly the same for trains, cars, or walking humans.

4. What is the fastest trick to convert km/hr into m/s?

Just multiply the speed by 5/18. The easiest way to remember it is using the table of 18 and 5. (18 km/h = 5 m/s, 36 km/h = 10 m/s, 54 km/h = 15 m/s).

5. Do I need to memorize big formulas for Average Speed?

No. You only need to remember one simple trick formula: (2xy) / (x + y). This formula works every time when the travel distance is exactly the same on both sides.

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