50 Most Expected Time & Work Questions for AFCAT 2026 with Answers & Shortcut Tricks
50 Most Expected Time & Work Questions
Important Time & Work Formulas
- Work = Time × Efficiency
- Efficiency = Work ÷ Time
- If A completes a work in x days: One day's work = 1/x
- Combined Work: If A takes Combined work per day = 1/x + 1/y
AFCAT Shortcut
- If A takes 10 days and B takes 15 days
- Together = (10×15)/(10+15) = 6 days
This shortcut works only when both start together and work continuously.
1. A alone can complete a work in 20 days. How many days will A and B together take if B alone can complete it in 30 days?
- A. 10 days
- B. 12 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 18 days
Solution
- One day's work
- A = 1/20
- B = 1/30
- Together = 1/20 + 1/30 = (3+2)/60 = 5/60 = 1/12
Hence, total time = 12 days
2. A can complete a work in 12 days. B can complete the same work in 18 days. How many days will they take together?
- A. 6
- B. 7.2
- C. 8
- D. 9
Solution
- Combined Time = (12 ×18)/(12+18) =216/30 = 7.2 days
3. A completes a work in 15 days. After working alone for 5 days, how much work remains?
- A. 1/3
- B. 2/3
- C. 3/5
- D. 4/5
Solution
- Work completed =5/15 =1/3
- Remaining = 2/3
4. B alone completes a work in 24 days. How much work does he complete in 6 days?
- A. 1/5
- B. 1/4
- C. 1/3
- D. 1/2
5. A completes a work in 25 days, while B completes it in 20 days. Find the ratio of their efficiencies.
- A. 4 : 5
- B. 5 : 4
- C. 20 : 25
- D. 1 : 1
Solution
- Efficiency is inversely proportional to time.
- Efficiency Ratio =20:25 = 5:4
6. A can complete a work in 18 days, while B can complete it in 36 days. They work together. How many days will they take to complete the work?
- A. 10 days
- B. 12 days
- C. 14 days
- D. 15 days
Solution
- One day's work: A = 1/18, B = 1/36
- Together = 1/18 + 1/36 = 3/36 = 1/12
Hence, required time = 12 days
Shortcut
- Combined Time = (18 × 36) ÷ (18 + 36) = 648 ÷ 54 = 12 day
7. A alone can complete a work in 24 days. B is 50% more efficient than A. In how many days can B alone complete the work?
- A. 14 days
- B. 16 days
- C. 18 days
- D. 20 days
Solution
- If efficiency increases by 50%, Time decreases in the ratio 2 : 3 Time taken by B = 24 × 2/3 = 16 days
8. A can complete a work in 15 days and B in 10 days. They work together for 4 days. The remaining work is completed by A alone. How many more days will A take?
- A. 3 days
- B. 4 days
- C. 5 days
- D. 6 days
Solution
- Combined work per day = 1/15 + 1/10 = 1/6
- Work done in 4 days = 4/6 = 2/3
- Remaining work = 1/3
- A completes 1/15 work per day.
- Required time = (1/3) ÷ (1/15) = 5 days
- A. 2/5
- B. 3/5
- C. 4/5
- D. 1/5
Solution
- Completed work = 8/20 = 2/5
- Remaining = 1 − 2/5 = 3/5
- A. 18
- B. 20
- C. 22
- D. 24
Solution
- Men × Days = Constant
- 12 × 15 = M × 9
- M = 180 ÷ 9 = 20 men
Shortcut
M₁ × D₁ = M₂ × D₂
AFCAT Shortcut
Whenever only men and days are involved: Men × Days = Constant. This formula solves most questions instantly.
11. A completes a work in 30 days, while B completes it in 20 days. Working together, how much work do they complete in 5 days?
- A. 1/3
- B. 5/12
- C. 7/12
- D. 3/4
Solution
- Combined work = 1/30 + 1/20 = 5/60 = 1/12
- Work in 5 days = 5 × 1/12 = 5/12
12. A is twice as efficient as B. If B completes a work in 24 days, in how many days will A complete it?
- A. 10
- B. 12
- C. 14
- D. 16
Solution
- Efficiency doubles,
- Time becomes half.
- 24 ÷ 2 = 12 days
- A. 18
- B. 20
- C. 22
- D. 24
Solution
- Workers × Days = Constant
- 15 ×16 = W ×12
- W =240 ÷12= 20 workers
14. A alone can complete a work in 40 days. B alone can complete it in 60 days. How much work will they complete together in 8 days?
- A. 1/3
- B. 2/5
- C. 7/15
- D. 8/15
Solution
- Combined work =1/40 +1/60 =5/120 =1/24
- In 8 days =8/24 = 1/3
- A. 1/5
- B. 2/5
- C. 3/5
- D. 4/5
Solution
- Combined work per day =1/25 +1/50
- Work done in 10 days =30/50 =3/5
- Remaining =1−3/5 = 2/5
AFCAT Shortcut – LCM Method
If
- A finishes a work in 12 days
- B finishes it in 18 days
Take Total Work = LCM (12,18) = 36 units
Then,
- A's efficiency = 36 ÷ 12 = 3 units/day
- B's efficiency = 36 ÷ 18 = 2 units/day
Together = 5 units/day
Time = 36 ÷ 5 = 7.2 days
This method is faster than working with fractions.
- A. 6 days
- B. 7.2 days
- C. 8 days
- D. 9 days
Solution
- LCM = 36 units
- A = 3 units/day
- B = 2 units/day
- Together = 5 units/day
- Time = 36 ÷ 5 = 7.2 days
- A. 11 days
- B. 12 days
- C. 13 days
- D. 14 days
Solution
- LCM = 30 units
- A = 2 units/day
- B = 3 units/day
- In 2 days, Work done = 5 units
- After 10 days (5 cycles), Completed = 25 units
- Remaining = 5 units
- Day 11 (A): +2 = 27
- Day 12 (B): +3 = 30
- Hence, 12 days
- A. 6 days
- B. 8 days
- C. 10 days
- D. 12 days
Solution
- A = 1 unit
- B = 2 units
- Total = 3 units
- A alone = 24 days
- Combined Time = 24 ÷ 3 = 8 days
- A. 14
- B. 15
- C. 16
- D. 18
Solution
- Total Work = 20 × 24 = 480 man-days
- Completed = 20 × 12 = 240 man-days
- Remaining = 240 man-days
- Remaining Men = 15
- Time = 240 ÷ 15 = 16 days
- A. 8
- B. 9
- C. 10
- D. 11
Solution
- Combined work = 1/20 + 1/30 = 1/12
- Work done in 6 days = 6/12 = 1/2
- Remaining work = 1/2
- A alone takes = (1/2) ÷ (1/20) = 10 days
- A. 18
- B. 20
- C. 22
- D. 24
Solution
- Efficiency ratio - A : B = 3 : 2
- Time ratio = 2 : 3
- A's Time = 30 × 2/3 = 20 days
- A. 5/8
- B. 3/4
- C. 7/8
- D. 2/3
Solution
- LCM = 48
- A = 3 units/day
- B = 2 units/day
- Together = 5 units/day
- In 6 days = 30 units
- Fraction completed = 30/48 = 5/8
- A. 20
- B. 22
- C. 24
- D. 26
Solution
- Men × Days = Constant
- 12 ×18 =216
- Required Men =216 ÷9 = 24
- A. 30
- B. 35
- C. 37.5
- D. 40
Solution
- B's work per day =1/15 −1/25 =(5−3)/75 =2/75
- Time =75/2 = 37.5 days
- A. 1/6
- B. 1/5
- C. 1/4
- D. 1/3
Solution
- LCM = 54 units
- A = 3 units/day
- B = 2 units/day
- Together = 5 units/day
- Work done in 9 days = 45 units
- Remaining = 54 −45 = 9 units
- Fraction remaining = 9/54 = 1/6
26. A can complete a work in 16 days, while B can complete it in 24 days. They work together for 8 days, after which B leaves. How many more days will A alone take to finish the remaining work?
- A. 3
- B. 2
- C. 5
- D. 6
Solution
- Work done together in 8 days = 8 × (1/16 + 1/24) = 8 × (5/48) = 5/6
- Remaining work = 1/6
- Time taken by A = (1/6) ÷ (1/16) = 16/6 = 8/3 ≈ 2.67 days
- A. 8 days
- B. 9 days
- C. 10 days
- D. 12 days
Solution
- Combined work = 1/18 + 1/36 = 1/12
- Time for full work = 12 days
- Time for 75% = 12 × 3/4 = 9 days
28. A is 25% more efficient than B. If B can complete a work in 20 days, how many days will A take?
- A. 14
- B. 15
- C. 16
- D. 18
Solution
- Efficiency Ratio
- A : B = 5 : 4
- Time Ratio = 4 : 5
- A's time = 20 × 4/5 = 16 days
29. 24 workers complete a project in 15 days. How many workers are required to complete the same work in 10 days?
- A. 30
- B. 32
- C. 34
- D. 36
Solution
- Workers × Days = Constant
- 24 × 15 = 360
- Workers required = 360 ÷ 10 = 36
- A. 8
- B. 10
- C. 12
- D. 15
Solution
- Assume A = 1 unit/day
- B = 2 units/day
- Together = 3 units/day
- Since A alone takes 30 days,
- Together = 30 ÷ 3 = 10 days
AFCAT Shortcut
- If one person is n times more efficient,
- Their working time becomes 1/n in proportion.
- Always convert efficiency into ratios before solving.
31. A can complete a work in 12 days and B in 20 days. If both work together for 4 days, what fraction of the work remains?
- A. 2/15
- B. 4/15
- C. 7/15
- D. 8/15
Solution
- Combined work = 1/12 + 1/20 = 2/15
- Work done in 4 days = 8/15
- Remaining = 7/15
32. A and B together complete a work in 8 days. If A alone takes 24 days, how many days will B alone take?
- A. 10
- B. 12
- C. 16
- D. 18
Solution
- B's work = 1/8 − 1/24 = 2/24 = 1/12
- Time = 12 days
33. 15 men can complete a work in 20 days. After 5 days, 5 more men join them. How many additional days are required?
- A. 9
- B. 10
- C. 11
- D. 12
Solution
- Total work = 15 × 20 = 300 man-days
- Work completed in 5 days = 15 × 5 = 75
- Remaining = 225
- Workers now = 20
- Time = 225 ÷ 20 = 11.25 days
- Closest answer = 11 days
34. A completes a work in 40 days. B completes the same work in 60 days. How much work will they complete together in 12 days?
- A. 1/2
- B. 3/5
- C. 2/3
- D. 4/5
Solution
- Combined work = 1/40 + 1/60 = 1/24
- In 12 days = 12/24 = 1/2
35. A can complete a work in 25 days. He works alone for 10 days. What percentage of work remains?
- A. 50%
- B. 55%
- C. 60%
- D. 65%
Solution
- Completed = 10/25 = 40%
- Remaining = 60%
36. Two workers complete a work in 15 days. If one worker alone takes 30 days, how many days will the other worker take?
- A. 25
- B. 30
- C. 35
- D. 40
Solution
- Other worker's efficiency = 1/15 − 1/30 = 1/30
- Hence, Time = 30 days
37. A is 40% more efficient than B. If B completes a work in 28 days, A will complete it in
- A. 18 days
- B. 20 days
- C. 22 days
- D. 24 days
Solution
- Efficiency ratio = 7 : 5
- Time ratio = 5 : 7
- Time = 28 × 5/7 = 20 days
38. 18 workers can complete a work in 16 days. How many workers are required to complete it in 12 days?
- A. 22
- B. 24
- C. 26
- D. 28
Solution
- 18 × 16 = 288
- Workers = 288 ÷ 12 = 24
39. A and B together complete a work in 10 days. If A alone takes 15 days, B alone will take
- A. 25 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 35 days
- D. 40 days
Solution
- B's work = 1/10 − 1/15 = 1/30
- Time = 30 days
40. A completes a work in 24 days, B in 36 days, and C in 72 days. How many days will all three together take?
- A. 12
- B. 14.4
- C. 16
- D. 18
Solution
- Combined work = 1/24 + 1/36 + 1/72 = (3 + 2 + 1)/72 = 6/72 = 1/12
AFCAT Quick Revision
Remember these formulas:
- One Day Work = 1 ÷ Days
- Efficiency ∝ 1 ÷ Time
- Workers × Days = Constant
- LCM Method saves time
- Work Done = Rate × Time
41. A can complete a work in 15 days, while B can complete it in 10 days. If both work together, in how many days will they finish the work?
- A. 5 days
- B. 6 days
- C. 7 days
- D. 8 days
Solution
- Combined work = 1/15 + 1/10 = 5/30 = 1/6
- Required Time = 6 days
42. A completes a work in 18 days. B is 50% more efficient than A. How many days will B take?
- A. 10 days
- B. 12 days
- C. 14 days
- D. 16 days
Solution
- A : B Efficiency = 2 : 3
- Time Ratio = 3 : 2
- Time taken by B = 18 ×2/3 = 12 days
43. 20 men can complete a work in 24 days. After 8 days, 5 men leave. How many more days are required?
- A. 18 days
- B. 19 days
- C. 20 days
- D. 21 days
Solution
- Total Work =20 ×24 =480 man-days
- Completed =20 ×8 =160
- Remaining =320
- Remaining workers =15
- Time =320 ÷15 ≈21.33 days
44. A and B together complete a work in 12 days. If A alone completes it in 20 days, B alone will complete it in
- A. 24 days
- B. 28 days
- C. 30 days
- D. 32 days
Solution
- B's work =1/12−1/20 =(5−3)/60 =1/30
- Hence, Time = 30 days
45. A can complete a work in 25 days. After working alone for 15 days, what percentage of work remains?
- A. 20%
- B. 30%
- C. 40%
- D. 50%
Solution
- Completed =15/25 =60%
- Remaining = 40%
AFCAT Shortcut
- If a person works for x days out of y total days
- Completed Work = x/y
- Remaining Work = (y−x)/y
46. A is twice as efficient as B. Both start working together. If B alone takes 30 days, together they complete the work in
- A. 8 days
- B. 10 days
- C. 12 days
- D. 15 days
Solution
- Efficiency
- A =2:1
- Total Efficiency =3 units
- Time =30 ÷3 = 10 days
47. A, B and C can complete a work individually in 24, 36 and 72 days respectively. How many days will all three together take?
- A. 10 days
- B. 11 days
- C. 12 days
- D. 14 days
Solution
- Combined work =1/24+1/36+1/72 =(3+2+1)/72 =6/72 =1/12
- Required Time = 12 days
48. 18 workers complete a work in 15 days. How many workers are required to finish it in 9 days?
- A. 28
- B. 30
- C. 32
- D. 34
Solution
- Workers × Days = Constant
- 18 ×15 =270
- Workers =270 ÷9 = 30
49. A can complete a work in 30 days, while B completes it in 20 days. They work together for 8 days. What fraction of work remains?
- A. 1/3
- B. 2/5
- C. 3/5
- D. 4/5
Solution
- Combined work =1/30+1/20 =1/12
- Work completed =8/12 =2/3
- Remaining = 1/3
50. A can complete a work in 12 days, B in 18 days, and C in 36 days. They work together for 4 days. What fraction of work remains?
- A. 1/6
- B. 2/9
- C. 1/3
- D. 4/9
Solution
- Combined work =1/12+1/18+1/36 =(3+2+1)/36 =6/36 =1/6
- Work completed in 4 days =4/6 =2/3
- Remaining = 1/3
Complete Time & Work Formula Sheet
- One Day Work = 1 ÷ Total Days
- Work = Efficiency × Time
- Efficiency = Work ÷ Time = 1/x + 1/y = (x × y) ÷ (x + y)
(Only when two people work together continuously.)
- Men × Days = Constant
- Efficiency ∝ 1 ÷ Time
Quick Revision Table
| Concept | Formula |
|---|---|
| One Day Work | 1/Days |
| Combined Work | 1/x + 1/y |
| Combined Time | xy/(x+y) |
| Efficiency | Work ÷ Time |
| Men & Days | Constant |
| Remaining Work | Total − Completed |
Last-Minute AFCAT Tips
- Use the LCM Method wherever possible.
- Never solve combined work questions using long fractions if an LCM simplifies the calculations.
- Memorize the Combined Time Formula for two workers.
- Focus on efficiency ratios instead of actual work whenever possible.
- Practice alternate working and men-days questions regularly.