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IPMAT Time and Work Questions 2026
IPMAT Time and Work questions are an important part of the IPMAT Quant section. These questions test how well you understand basic time and work concepts used in different problem types like work done by one person, combined work, efficiency, wages, pipes and cisterns, and work completed in parts.
You may get time and work questions as direct formula-based sums or as part of longer word problems. The good thing is, they become much easier once your basics are clear and you know which formula to apply. You do not need very advanced math, just a strong understanding of concepts, regular practice, and careful calculation.
In this blog, you will find a simple formula PDF, a set of practice questions with answers, and some extra questions to solve on your own. You will also learn about common mistakes students make and a few easy tips to save time in the exam.
Important Formulas for IPMAT Time and Work Questions
You only need a few basic formulas to solve most time and work questions in IPMAT. These formulas help you find work done, time taken, efficiency, and combined work.
You can download the full formula PDF from the link above. Here is a quick look at some of the main ones:
Concept | Formula |
Work Formula | Work = Time × Efficiency |
Time Formula | Time = Work / Efficiency |
Efficiency Formula | Efficiency = Work / Time |
If A completes a work in x days | A’s 1 day work = 1/x |
If A and B work together | Total 1 day work = 1/x + 1/y |
Total time taken together | 1 / (combined 1 day work) |
If efficiency ratio is a:b | Time ratio = b:a |
Pipes and Cisterns | Filling is positive, emptying is negative |
These formulas are useful for solving questions on individual work, combined work, efficiency comparison, wages, and pipes and cisterns that often appear in IPMAT 2026.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in IPMAT Time and Work Questions
Forgetting basic formulas: Make sure you remember the correct formulas for work, time, efficiency, and combined work.
Using wrong units: Always check whether time is given in days, hours, or minutes before solving the question.
Ignoring efficiency concept: Many students directly add days instead of adding the work done in one day.
Confusing ratios: When efficiency ratio is given, remember that time ratio will be the reverse.
Making calculation errors: Even when the method is correct, small fraction mistakes can give the wrong answer. Solve step by step.
List of IPMAT Time and Work Questions
Here’s a short set of IPMAT-style time and work questions to help you practice. These include all common types of questions based on work, efficiency, time taken, combined work, and pipes and cisterns. Practice these regularly to become faster and more confident before your IPMAT exam.
Question 1
There are two taps, T1 and T2, at the bottom of a water tank, either or both of which may be opened to empty the water tank, each at a constant rate. If T1 is opened keeping T2 closed, the water tank (initially full) becomes empty in half an hour. If both T1 and T2 are kept open, the water tank (initially full) becomes empty in 20 minutes. Then, the time (in minutes) it takes for the water tank (initially full) to become empty if T2 is opened while T1 is closed is ____________.
correct answer:- 60
Question 2
Ashok started a business with a certain investment. After few months, Bharat joined him investing half amount of Ashok’s initial investment. At the end of the first year, the total profit was divided between them in ratio 3:1. Bharat joined Ashok after
correct answer:- 3
Question 3
Arpita and Nikita, working together, can complete an assigned job in 12 days. If Arpita works initially to complete 40% of the job, and the remaining job is completed by Nikita alone, it takes 24 days to complete the job. The possible number of days that Nikita requires to complete the entire job, working alone, is
correct answer:- 20
Question 4
Amisha can complete a particular task in twenty days. After working for four days she fell sick for four days and resumed the work on the ninth day but with half of her original work rate. She completed the task in another twelve days with the help of a co-worker who joined her from the ninth day. The number of days required for the co-worker to complete the task alone would be ______.
correct answer:- 24
Question 5
Three workers working together need 1 hour to construct a wall. The first worker, working alone, can construct the wall twice as fast as the third worker, and can complete the task an hour sooner than the second worker. Then, the average time in hours taken by the three workers, when working alone, to construct the wall is
correct answer:- 1
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