Time and Work Questions for SBI PO Mains 2026 require more than basic formulas and calculation speed, as Mains-level Quantitative Aptitude tests conceptual understanding and multi-step problem-solving. Questions often involve efficiency-based distribution, alternate-day work, multi-person chain rules, variable efficiencies, work-and-wages, replacement patterns, and DI-based caselets. Candidates can strengthen their preparation with free PDFs, interactive quizzes, and high-level practice sets covering these advanced patterns. Below, you’ll find a 10-question interactive quiz, key strategies, expert preparation tips, and a 20-question Mains-level practice set with detailed solutions.
Time & Work Questions for SBI PO Mains Interactive Quiz: 10 Practice Questions
Test your concepts with these exam-oriented time and work hard questions for SBI PO Mains. Try solving each question within 2 minutes before reviewing the solution.
Q1. A can complete a work alone in x days, while B can complete it in (x+10) days. They work together for 8 days and finish 60% of the work. C then joins them and is 25% more efficient than A. Find the total time.
Explanation: 8(1/x+1/(x+10))=3/5 gives x=20. Taking total work as 60 units: A=3, B=2, C=3.75 units/day. After 8 days, 36 units are done; 24 remain. Remaining time=24/8.75=96/35=2 26/35 days. Total=10 26/35 days.
Q2. P, Q and R can finish a project in 20, 30 and 40 days. They work in rotation P, Q, R. After every 6 calendar days, P works at half efficiency on his next turn. Q's efficiency rises by 50% only after 12 active workdays. How long will the project take?
Explanation: Take total work=120 units. P=6, Q=4, R=3 units/day. P works at half rate on Days 7, 13, 19, 25 and 31. Q does not complete 12 active days before the work ends. By Day 30, 118 units are done. On Day 31, P works at 3 units/day; the remaining 2 units take 2/3 day. Total=30 2/3 days.
Q3. Quantity I: 12 men and 16 women finish a work in 5 days, while 13 men and 24 women finish it in 4 days. Find the time for 7 men and 10 women. Quantity II: A is 40% more efficient than B; C is 20% less efficient than B; B and C together finish a work in 15 days. Find the time for A and C to complete twice that work.
Explanation: From 5(12M+16W)=4(13M+24W), M=2W. Total work=200W; rate of 7M+10W=24W, so Quantity I=25/3≈8.33 days. For Quantity II, let B=100, A=140, C=80. One work=180×15=2700 units; twice=5400. A+C=220, so time=5400/220≈24.55 days. Thus Quantity I < Quantity II.
Q4. A can complete a work in 18 days and B in 24 days. They work together for 6 days, after which C completes the rest in 4 days. In how many days can C alone complete the whole work?
Explanation: A+B rate=1/18+1/24=7/72. In 6 days they complete 7/12, leaving 5/12. C completes 5/12 in 4 days, so C's rate=5/48. Therefore C alone takes 48/5=9.6 days.
Q5. A and B can complete a work in 20 and 30 days respectively. They start together, but A leaves 5 days before completion. Find the total time.
Explanation: Let total time be T days. A works T−5 days and B works T days. (T−5)/20+T/30=1. Multiplying by 60 gives 3T−15+2T=60, so T=15 days.
Q6. Pipe A fills a tank in 12 hours, B in 18 hours and outlet C empties it in 24 hours. A and B remain open; after every 2 hours, C is opened for the next 1 hour along with them. How long will the tank take to fill?
Explanation: Take capacity=72 units. A=6, B=4, C=−3 units/hour. In each 3-hour cycle, 20 units are filled in the first 2 hours and 7 in the third, so 27 units per cycle. After 6 hours, 54 units are filled. Remaining 18 units are filled by A+B at 10 units/hour in 1.8 hours. Total=7.8 hours=7 4/5 hours.
Q7. A, B and C can complete a work individually in 24, 36 and 72 days. They work together for 8 days, after which A leaves. B and C finish the rest. Find the total time.
Explanation: Take total work=72 units. Rates: A=3, B=2, C=1. In 8 days together they complete 48 units. Remaining=24. B+C rate=3 units/day, so 8 more days are needed. Total=16 days.
Q8. A contractor planned to finish a project in 40 days with 30 workers. After 16 days, only 30% was completed. How many additional workers are required to finish within the original deadline?
Explanation: 30 workers×16 days=480 worker-days produce 30% of the work. Remaining 70% requires 480×70/30=1120 worker-days. With 24 days left, required workers=1120/24=46.67, so at least 47 workers are needed. Additional workers=47−30=17.
Q9. Data Sufficiency: What is y, the number of days A alone takes? I. A alone can complete the work in y days. II. B is 50% more efficient than A, and together they complete the work in 12 days.
Explanation: Statement I gives no numerical value. From II, efficiency A:B=2:3. Combined efficiency=5 units/day and in 12 days total work=60 units. A at 2 units/day takes 30 days. Statement II alone is sufficient.
Q10. A can do a work in 25 days. B is 20% more efficient than A, while C is 25% less efficient than B. If all three work together, how long will they take?
Explanation: Let A=100 efficiency units. Then B=120 and C=90, so A:B:C=10:12:9 and combined efficiency=31 units/day. Total work=25×10=250 units. Time=250/31=8 2/31 days≈8.06 days.
Quiz Summary
Quiz Completed!
Practise more Time & Work and Pipes & Cisterns questions.
Solve More QuestionsHigh-Level Concepts & Shortcuts for Mains Quant
To score consistently in bank PO mains quantitative aptitude time and work sections, you must apply structured strategies that bypass tedious linear equations.
1. The LCM Total Work Method
Instead of working with fractions [(1/x) + (1/y)], assume the Total Work is the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of all given day figures:
Efficiency = Total Work (in units) / Total Days
This converts complex word problems into straightforward integer additions and subtractions.
2. Efficiency and Time Inversion Rule
Efficiency is inversely proportional to time taken when total work remains constant:
Efficiency Ratio (A : B) = x : y <–> Time Ratio (A : B) = y : x
In time and work efficiency questions for SBI PO, use percentage ratio shortcuts (e.g., 20% more efficient = 6:5 ratio) to immediately set up work rates.
3. Work & Wages Rule
Wages are distributed strictly according to the ratio of actual work done by each individual. If all workers operate for the exact same duration, wages are divided according to their daily efficiency ratios.
Strategic Roadmap: How to Solve Time & Work Caselets in SBI PO Mains
Caselets and missing DI sets based on Time & Work are signature questions in SBI PO Mains. Follow this execution framework during the exam:
- Identify Independent Variables & Fixed Conditions: Read the paragraph to identify variable inputs (e.g., x, x + 10, percentage variations).
- Build a Standardized Unit-Work Table (LCM Basis): Express all individuals’ daily unit outputs relative to a single variable or LCM baseline.
- Account for Efficiency Modifiers (Dropouts/Joins): Divide the timeline into distinct phases (Phase 1: joint work; Phase 2: alternate days; Phase 3: dropout/replacement).
- Formulate Stage-Wise Equations for Remaining Work: Calculate work done stage-by-stage and subtract from total units to isolate remaining work.
Key Benefits of Preparing Mains Time & Work Questions
- High Scoring Potential: Time & Work problems follow deterministic mathematical rules. Unlike complex puzzle sets, once an algebraic framework is established, accuracy is nearly 100%.
- Overlap with Other Topics: Mastering unit-efficiency methods directly strengthens performance in pipes and cisterns mains level questions, work and wages questions for bank exams, and time, work & partnership caselets.
- Essential for Data Sufficiency: Time & Work is a favorite topic for 2-statement and 3-statement data sufficiency time and work SBI PO Mains formats.
Conclusion
Mastering time and work questions for SBI PO Mains requires a balance of concept mastery, structural problem-solving, and regular timed practice. Focus on understanding efficiency ratios, handling variable-based equations, and practicing caselet DI formats to maximize your score in the Quantitative Aptitude section.
Time & Work Questions for SBI PO Mains Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of Time & Work questions appear in SBI PO Mains?
SBI PO Mains tests advanced formats including variable-based word problems (x, y variables), alternate-day work with changing efficiencies, work & wages distribution, time and work caselet DI for SBI PO Mains, and Quantity Comparison (Q1 vs Q2) sets.
2. How is Mains Time & Work different from Prelims?
Prelims questions focus on direct formula evaluation and basic LCM calculations. Mains questions combine multiple constraints, such as workers joining/leaving mid-way with efficiency shifts, negative work (pipe leaks), and missing data tables.
3. What is the best method to solve alternate-day work problems?
Determine the work completed in one full cycle of rotation (e.g., 3 days if three workers alternate). Multiply the cycle work to get close to the total work, then calculate the remaining units step-by-step for the final days.
4. Can I skip Arithmetic caselets in SBI PO Mains Quant?
Skipping arithmetic caselets is risky. Modern SBI PO Mains papers feature dedicated Arithmetic DI sets. Practicing high-level Time & Work caselets ensures you can attempt high-weightage 2-mark questions.
5. How can I improve my speed in Mains Quantitative Aptitude?
Focus on targeted sectional practice. Spend 15 days mastering individual arithmetic concepts and sectionals, followed by full-length mock tests to refine question selection and time management.
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