CAT Time and Work is an important topic in the Arithmetic chapter of the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT). It covers work efficiency, combined work, pipes and cisterns. Practising CAT Time and Work PYQs helps candidates understand question patterns, improve calculation speed, and identify concepts that appear frequently. Based on a five-year analysis of CAT 2021-2025, Time and Work accounted for 20 out of 330 Quantitative Aptitude questions, or approximately 6.1% of the questions analysed.
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The following guide covers the year-wise weightage trend, question types, where the topic fits within Arithmetic, difficulty level, and preparation strategy.
This PDF includes:
| 48 Time and Work questions in the PDF | 6.1% Five-year QA Share (2021-2025) |
The PDF holds 48 Time and Work questions from CAT 1990-2025, grouped by year and slot. Answer keys and solutions are not included.
CAT Time and Work PYQ Statistics (2021-2025)
The following figures represent the aggregated number of Time and Work questions across all three slots of CAT each year, not the count in an individual slot.
| Year | Total Questions (All Slots) | Average per Slot | Weightage in QA | Change in Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 1.33 | 6.06% | +1.52% |
| 2024 | 3 | 1.00 | 4.55% | −1.52% |
| 2023 | 4 | 1.33 | 6.06% | +1.52% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1.00 | 4.55% | −4.55% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.00 | 9.09% | — |
| Total | 20 | 1.33 | 6.06% overall | — |
Weightage is the share of the 66 Quantitative Aptitude questions across the three slots in that year. Change in weightage is the difference in percentage points from the previous year. The busiest year for Time and Work across the whole PDF was CAT 2021, with 6 questions.
CAT Time and Work PYQ Question-Type Distribution
CAT Time and Work questions in the Quantitative Aptitude section can appear as Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) or Type In The Answer (TITA) questions.
Across the 15 slots of CAT 2021-2025, 11 of the 20 Time and Work questions were MCQs and 9 were TITA. In the full PDF of 48 questions, 32 are MCQs and 16 are TITA.
| Question Type | Questions in CAT 2021-2025 | Share | Questions in the full PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) | 11 | 55.0% | 32 |
| TITA (Type In The Answer) | 9 | 45.0% | 16 |
| Total | 20 | — | 48 |
Where Time and Work Fits in CAT Arithmetic
Time and Work accounts for 48 of the 363 questions in the Arithmetic chapter PDF, about 13.2%.
| Chapter | Questions in chapter PDF | Questions on this topic | Share of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 363 | 48 | 13.2% |
Difficulty Level of CAT Time and Work PYQs
By the difficulty tag in our question bank, 29 of the 48 Time and Work questions are medium, 17 are hard and 2 are easy.
| Difficulty | Typical question characteristics | Preparation focus | Questions in PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Direct application of one standard formula or rule | Formula recall and accuracy | 2 |
| Moderate | Multi-step problems that need two or three ideas | Concept selection and efficient calculation | 29 |
| Difficult | Questions that combine several concepts or need case analysis | Case analysis and alternative solving methods | 17 |
How to Prepare for CAT Time and Work Using PYQs
Follow a three-stage preparation plan to get the most out of the question bank.
- Build conceptual clarity: Revise work efficiency, combined work, pipes and cisterns before attempting timed practice.
- Practise topic-wise PYQs: Solve the 48 CAT Time and Work questions in this PDF. Record the year and slot, your accuracy, and the time taken.
- Attempt mixed sets: Once Time and Work is comfortable, mix it with other Arithmetic questions. Review incorrect answers and identify whether the mistake came from concept selection, calculation, or time management.
Because Time and Work contributed 6.1% of the five-year QA dataset analysed, give it time in proportion to its share, and keep preparing the other QA chapters as well.
Related CAT Resources
CAT Time and Work PYQs FAQs
Ques. How many Time and Work questions are asked in CAT?
Ans. Based on 2021-2025 analysis, Time and Work accounts for 20 out of 330 QA questions, representing approximately 6.1%. The number varies across exam years and slots.
Ques. What does CAT Time and Work cover?
Ans. It covers work efficiency, combined work, pipes and cisterns.
Ques. How can I practise CAT Time and Work questions PYQ topic-wise?
Ans. Solve the 48 questions in this PDF in order, noting the year and slot. Note the concepts or calculation methods you find difficult, then practise mixed Arithmetic questions under timed conditions.
Ques. Does the CAT Time and Work PYQ PDF include solutions?
Ans. No. The PDF contains the 48 questions with their year, slot and source question number, without answer keys or solutions.
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