Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026 help candidates prepare for the 1–2 questions generally expected from this topic in the Quantitative Aptitude section of the 40-question Prelims exam. From individual and combined work to alternate-day patterns, man-days-hours (MDH), and work-and-leaving problems, understanding these concepts is essential for solving questions quickly and accurately. The LCM method helps avoid complex fractions, while the efficiency formula (Work ÷ Time) makes calculations easier.
In this guide, you will find exam-level Time and Work questions with detailed solutions, important formulas, and shortcut tricks to strengthen your preparation. Practise different question types, including pipes and cisterns, efficiency-based problems, and people joining or leaving work midway, to improve your calculation speed and accuracy for the IBPS RRB PO 2026 exam.
Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026 Highlights
Quantitative Aptitude demands both high speed and absolute accuracy during the preliminary examination. Time and work concepts form a core portion of this section, offering predictable scoring opportunities for prepared candidates.
- Exam Weightage: Expect 1 to 2 direct questions or data interpretation sets in the Quantitative Aptitude section (40 total questions).
- Core Concepts: Focus heavily on the LCM method, efficiency ratios, alternate day schedules, and group work formulas.
- Time Target: Solve each question within 35 to 45 seconds using effective shortcut methods.
- Primary Focus: Mastering individual work, group efficiency, leaving and joining scenarios, and pipe network problems.
10 Exam Level Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026: Attempt Free Quiz
High level practice questions help candidates test their conceptual speed and problem-solving skills under real exam conditions. Solve the following 10 exam-level problems designed specifically for the IBPS RRB PO Prelims and Mains pattern.
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Total Questions: 10 | Total Marks: 10
Question 1. A can complete a piece of work in 12 days, and B can complete the same work in 18 days. If they work together, in how many days will the work be completed?
Take Total Work = LCM(12, 18) = 36 units.
Efficiency of A = 36 / 12 = 3 units/day.
Efficiency of B = 36 / 18 = 2 units/day.
Combined efficiency of A and B = 3 + 2 = 5 units/day.
Time taken = 36 / 5 = 7.2 days.
Therefore, the work will be completed in 7.2 days.
Question 2. A and B can complete a task in 10 days and 15 days respectively. They begin working on alternate days, starting with A on the first day. In how many days will the work be finished?
Total Work = LCM(10, 15) = 30 units.
Efficiency of A = 30 / 10 = 3 units/day.
Efficiency of B = 30 / 15 = 2 units/day.
Work done in a 2-day cycle = 3 + 2 = 5 units.
Number of 2-day cycles required = 30 / 5 = 6 cycles.
Total days = 6 × 2 = 12 days.
Therefore, the work will be finished in 12 days.
Question 3. A can finish a task in 20 days, while B can finish it in 30 days. They start working together, but A leaves 5 days before the completion of the work. What is the total time taken to complete the work?
Total Work = LCM(20, 30) = 60 units.
Efficiency of A = 60 / 20 = 3 units/day.
Efficiency of B = 60 / 30 = 2 units/day.
Let the total time taken be t days.
A worked for (t − 5) days, while B worked for the entire t days.
Work equation: 3(t − 5) + 2t = 60
3t − 15 + 2t = 60
5t = 75
t = 15 days.
Therefore, the total time taken is 15 days.
Question 4. Pipe A can fill a tank in 12 hours, and Pipe B can fill it in 15 hours. An outlet Pipe C can empty the full tank in 20 hours. If all three pipes are opened together, how long will it take to fill the tank?
Total capacity of tank = LCM(12, 15, 20) = 60 units.
Efficiency of A = +5 units/hour.
Efficiency of B = +4 units/hour.
Efficiency of C = −3 units/hour (outlet).
Net efficiency = 5 + 4 − 3 = 6 units/hour.
Time to fill tank = 60 / 6 = 10 hours.
Therefore, the tank will be filled in 10 hours.
Question 5. A is 50% more efficient than B. If B alone can complete a work in 18 days, in how many days can A alone complete the same work?
Ratio of efficiency A : B = 150 : 100 = 3 : 2.
Efficiency is inversely proportional to time.
Time taken by A / Time taken by B = Efficiency of B / Efficiency of A.
Time taken by A / 18 = 2 / 3.
Time taken by A = (2 / 3) × 18 = 12 days.
Therefore, A can complete the work in 12 days.
Question 6. 4 men and 6 women can complete a work in 8 days, while 3 men and 7 women can complete it in 10 days. In how many days can 10 women complete the work?
Total Work = (4M + 6W) × 8 = (3M + 7W) × 10.
32M + 48W = 30M + 70W.
2M = 22W.
Therefore, 1M = 11W.
Total Work = (4 × 11W + 6W) × 8
= (44W + 6W) × 8
= 50W × 8 = 400 woman-days.
Time taken by 10 women = 400 / 10 = 40 days.
Therefore, 10 women can complete the work in 40 days.
Question 7. A and B contract to do a piece of work for Rs. 600. A alone can do it in 6 days, while B alone can do it in 8 days. With the help of C, they finish it in 3 days. What is C’s share of the wages?
Total Work = LCM(6, 8, 3) = 24 units.
Efficiency of A = 24 / 6 = 4 units/day.
Efficiency of B = 24 / 8 = 3 units/day.
Combined efficiency of A, B, and C = 24 / 3 = 8 units/day.
Efficiency of C = 8 − (4 + 3) = 1 unit/day.
Ratio of efficiency (A : B : C) = 4 : 3 : 1.
C’s share = (1 / 8) × 600 = Rs. 75.
Therefore, C’s share of wages is Rs. 75.
Question 8. A can do a piece of work in 24 days. B is 20% more efficient than A, and C is 25% more efficient than B. How many days will B and C together take to complete the work?
Let the efficiency of A = 100.
Efficiency of B = 120.
Efficiency of C = 120 × 1.25 = 150.
Total Work = Efficiency of A × Time taken by A
= 100 × 24 = 2400 units.
Combined efficiency of B and C = 120 + 150 = 270 units/day.
Time taken = 2400 / 270 = 8.888… days.
Therefore, B and C together will complete the work in approximately 8.89 days.
Question 9. A leak in the bottom of a tank can empty the full tank in 8 hours. An inlet pipe fills water at the rate of 6 liters per minute. When the tank is full, the inlet is opened and due to the leak, the tank is emptied in 12 hours. What is the capacity of the tank?
Capacity = LCM(8, 12) = 24 units.
Leak efficiency (L) = −3 units/hour.
Leak + Inlet efficiency (L + I) = −2 units/hour.
Inlet efficiency (I) = −2 − (−3) = +1 unit/hour.
Time taken by inlet alone = 24 / 1 = 24 hours.
Inlet flow rate = 6 × 60 = 360 liters/hour.
Tank capacity = 24 × 360 = 8640 liters.
Therefore, the tank capacity is 8640 liters.
Question 10. A and B together can do a work in 12 days. B and C together can do it in 15 days. If A is twice as good a workman as C, in how many days will B alone complete the work?
Let the efficiency of C = x.
Efficiency of A = 2x.
(A + B) efficiency = 1 / 12.
(B + C) efficiency = 1 / 15.
Subtracting the equations:
A − C = 1/12 − 1/15 = 1/60.
Since A = 2x and C = x:
2x − x = 1/60.
Therefore, x = 1/60.
Efficiency of A = 2/60 = 1/30.
Efficiency of B = 1/12 − 1/30
= (5 − 2)/60 = 3/60 = 1/20.
Time taken by B alone = 20 days.
Therefore, B alone can complete the work in 20 days.
Quiz Completed!
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed the Time and Work Quiz 2026.
Your Final Score: 0/10
Important Concepts and Formulas for Time and Work
Understanding core relationships between work, time, and worker efficiency simplifies complex word problems. The basic premise rests on the fact that work performed is directly proportional to time spent and worker efficiency.
Core Formula Overview
The fundamental mathematical relations governing time and work calculations are presented below.
| Concept | Formula / Relation | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Work Relation | Work = Efficiency x Time | 5 units/day for 4 days = 20 units total work |
| One Day’s Work | One Day’s Work = 1 / Total Days | If total days = 10, 1 day work = 1/10th |
| Efficiency and Time Ratio | Efficiency(A) : Efficiency(B) = Time(B) : Time(A) | If the time ratio is 2:3, the efficiency ratio is 3:2 |
| Men, Days, Hours (MDH) | (M1 x D1 x H1) / W1 = (M2 x D2 x H2) / W2 | Calculating worker adjustments across projects |
Short Tricks to Solve Time and Work Problems Quickly
Applying LCM shortcut tricks eliminates tedious fraction calculations, ensuring higher speed during competitive bank examinations.
The LCM Method Simplified
Instead of assuming total work as 1, take total work as the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of all given day counts.
- Step 1: Find the LCM of the total individual days given in the question.
- Step 2: Assign this LCM figure as the “Total Units of Work”.
- Step 3: Divide total units by individual days to find per-day work rate (Efficiency).
- Step 4: Add or subtract per-day efficiencies based on whether individuals work together, leave, or act as outlet pipes.
Topic-Wise Breakdown of Important Question Types
Different question patterns require tailored strategies to minimize steps and ensure maximum accuracy.
1. Alternate Days Working Pattern
In alternate day problems, workers perform tasks individually in turn. Always group alternate days into complete multi-day cycles to find the net work performed per cycle before evaluating remaining units.
2. Leaving and Joining Midway
When workers leave or join during a project, split the total work timeline into distinct phases. Calculate completed units for the period workers worked together, then assign the remaining units to the active workers.
3. Efficiency and Ratio Based Questions
Efficiency measures work done per unit time. When given percentage variations (e.g., A is 20% more efficient than B), immediately convert these percentages into simplified integer ratios to calculate individual daily rates effortlessly.
4. Pipes and Cisterns Applications
Pipes and Cisterns work on the exact same logic as Time and Work. Inflow pipes represent positive work (filling), while outflow pipes or bottom leaks represent negative work (emptying).
How to Prepare Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
Building speed in quantitative aptitude requires structured concept building followed by consistent, timed practice sessions.
- Master Basic Concepts: Understand efficiency ratios and the LCM technique before moving on to complex multi-variable problems.
- Practice High-Level Sets: Solve multi-person leaving/joining cases along with combined Pipes and Cisterns word problems.
- Use Timed Quizzes: Attempt chapter-wise quizzes to improve your speed under strict time limits.
- Analyze Past Papers: Review previous year RRB PO preliminary questions to stay updated on question difficulty and trends.
Conclusion
Mastering arithmetic concepts requires consistent effort and smart strategy. By focusing on core concepts like the LCM method, efficiency ratios, and alternate day patterns, candidates can significantly improve their speed and accuracy in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Regular practice of high-level questions ensures you stay ahead of the competition and easily tackle challenging word problems in the exam. For structured study materials and exam-level sectional tests, aspirants can head to PracticeMock to practice mock tests and improve their quantitative accuracy for upcoming bank exams.
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Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weightage of Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO?
Expect 1 to 2 direct questions in the prelims exam. Additionally, arithmetic Data Interpretation sets based on time, work, or pipe efficiency frequently appear in the Mains examination.
Which method is best for solving Time and Work Questions?
The LCM method is the fastest approach. It converts fractions into manageable whole numbers, allowing candidates to calculate individual daily efficiencies quickly without mathematical errors.
Are Pipes and Cisterns included in Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO?
Yes, Pipes and Cisterns follow identical principles. The only distinction is treating filling pipes as positive work efficiency and emptying outlet pipes or leaks as negative work efficiency.
How to calculate individual efficiency in Time and Work Questions?
Divide total work units (calculated using the LCM of given days) by the total number of days taken by an individual worker to complete the entire job alone.
Where can I download a practice PDF for Time and Work Questions for IBPS RRB PO 2026?
You can access free practice PDFs, sectional quizzes, and mock tests on major bank exam preparation platforms like PracticeMock, Testbook, and Oliveboard.
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