CAT Success Roadmap: Navigating Time and Work, DILR miscellaneous questions, and solving RC CAT PYQs - Day 29

Part-1: CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Preparation

Mastering Time and Work questions is essential for scoring well in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT 2026. These questions test your ability to calculate efficiency, ratios, and combined work using logical steps and smart shortcuts.

CAT Time and Work CAT Questions

Students can also take references from the time and work questions pdf for more practice on this topic. Time and Work aptitude questions can be bit tricky but is easy to learn as well. Students should have a clear understanding of the concepts and formulas for the topic.

CAT Syllabus 2026: Important Concept/Formula Used in CAT time and work questions:

1. Individual Work Time and Combined Work Time

Individual work time is given, and the time taken when working together is asked (for an equal amount of work).

$\frac1T=\frac1A+\frac1B+\frac1C+\cdots$

Where:

• T is the time taken by all when working together.

• A is the time taken by A when working alone.

• C is the time taken by C when working alone.

• B is the time taken by B when working alone.

2. Work Done by a Group of Members with the Same Efficiency

A group of few members with the same efficiency is working together, then:

$M_1D_1R_1W_1=M_2D_2R_2W_2$

Where:

• $M_1, M_2$ are the number of persons.

• $D_1, D_2$ are the times taken by $M_1$ and $M_2$, respectively.

• $R_1, R_2$ are the rates of doing work of $M_1$ and $M_2$, respectively.

• $W_1, W_2$ are the amounts of work done by $M_1$ and $M_2$, respectively.

3. Concept of Negative Work

Work done by emptying a tank/cistern is taken as negative work in questions on Pipes and Cisterns.

4. Efficiency Formula

Efficiency is equal to total work divided by the time taken.

Efficiency=TotalWork/TimeTaken

Previous Year CAT Questions On Time And Work

Below listed are some Time and Work CAT previous year questions for students to learn and grasp the concepts and can also know the level and type of questions given in the examination. There are some Time and Work difficult questions as well listed below which can be helpful for students for reference:

Q1. CAT Exam 2019

At their usual efficiency levels, A and B together finish a task in 12 days. If A had worked half as efficiently as she usually does, and B had worked thrice as efficiently as he usually does, the task would have been completed in 9 days. How many days would A take to finish the task if she works alone at her usual efficiency? [CAT Exam: 2019]

1. 18

2. 36

3. 24

4. 12

Answer: [1]

Solution: Let the efficiencies of A and B be x and y, respectively.

Then, according to the first condition:

Total amount of work $= (x+y)\times 12$

If A had worked half as efficiently as she usually does, and B had worked thrice as efficiently as he usually does:

Total amount of work $= \left(\frac2+3y\right)\times 9$

Both amounts of work should be equal.

So,

$ (x+y)\times 12 = \left(\frac2+3y\right)\times 9 $

On solving,

$12x+12y=\frac2+27y$

24x+24y=9x+54y

15x=30y

x=2y

Let A take D days if she works alone.

Total work $=xD=(x+y)\times 12$

Put x=2y in the above equation:

$2yD=(2y+y)\times 12$

2yD=36y

On solving, we get D=18 days.

Q2. CAT Exam 2018

When they work alone, B needs 25% more time to finish a job than A does. They finish the job in 13 days in the following manner: A works alone till half the job is done, then A and B work together for four days, and finally B works alone to complete the remaining 5% of the job. In how many days can B alone finish the entire job? [CAT Exam: 2018]

1. 16

2. 20

3. 22

4. 18

Answer: [2]

Solution: Since B takes 25% more time than A to finish the job alone,

Let A and B finish a job in 4x and 5x days, respectively.

45% of the work was done by A and B together in 4 days, since A did 50% of the work and B did 5% of the work alone.

Therefore, A and B together can finish the 100% job in:

$4\times\frac10045=\frac809$ days.

On solving, we get x = 4.

So, B alone can finish the job in 20 days.

Important Concepts to Solve Time and Work Questions

Time and Work questions in the CAT test your understanding of efficiency, ratios, and logical thinking. Knowing the right concepts and formulas can help you solve them quickly and accurately, especially under time pressure during the exam.

Work = Time × Efficiency

This is the base formula for most questions. If a person can do a task in 5 days, their efficiency is $\frac15$ of the work per day.

Unit Work Method

Assume the total work as a unit (usually 1 or a common multiple) to simplify calculations. This helps in comparing the work done by multiple people or machines.

HCF LCM Approach

Take the LCM of the given days to assume total work units. This makes the division of work and combined efforts easier to calculate.

Efficiency Ratio

If A is twice as efficient as B, then A’s one-day work is 2 times that of B. Use such ratios to distribute the workload and calculate time.

Work and Wages

If multiple people work together and get paid, their wages are distributed in the ratio of the work done by each. Calculate individual work contributions first.

Pipes and Cisterns (Variation)

Pipe filling or emptying tanks follows the same logic as Time and Work. Inlet = positive work, outlet = negative work. Combine rates to get the net flow.

Alternate Days Work

In some questions, two people work on alternate days. Calculate the work done in 2-day cycles, then scale up based on the total days or remaining work.

Tips and Tricks for CAT Time and Work Questions

1. Total work can be taken as the LCM of the time taken by all individuals.

2. Dividing questions concept-wise may help in preparation.

3. If the time taken by A and B is x days and y days, respectively, then the efficiencies of A and B will be in the ratio y:x.

4. The wages for any amount of work are directly proportional to the amount of work.

5. Questions about Pipes and Cisterns are solved using the concept of Time and Work.

6. Total Work = Efficiency Time Taken.If the time taken by A and B is x days and y days, respectively, then both together will finish the work in: (x × y) ÷ (x + y) days

CAT Study Material: References to Study Theory

CAT 2025 Slot-by-Slot Master Weightage Matrix

Download the CAT 2025 Slot-by-Slot Master Weightage Matrix to understand topic-wise weightage, question distribution, and slot-wise trends. Use these insights to prioritise important topics and plan your CAT 2026 preparation more effectively.

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Part 2: CAT 2026 Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation

Part 2 of CAT 2026 preparation covers Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation with practice sets, puzzle-solving techniques, and data-based questions to improve analytical thinking, accuracy, and time management.

CAT Previous Years' Questions: Reading Comprehension (RC for CAT)

Eight friends: Ajit, Byomkesh, Gargi, Jayanta, Kikira, Manik, Prodosh, and Tapesh are going to Delhi from Kolkata on a flight operated by Cheap Air. In the flight, seating is arranged in 30 rows, numbered 1 to 30, each consisting of 6 seats, marked by letters A to F from left to right, respectively. Seats A to C are to the left of the aisle (the passage running from the front of the aircraft to the back), and seats D to F are to the right of the aisle. Seats A and F are by the windows and are referred to as Window seats, C and D are by the aisle and are referred to as Aisle seats, while B and E are referred to as Middle seats. Seats marked by consecutive letters are called consecutive seats (or seats next to each other). A seat number is a combination of the row number, followed by the letter indicating the position in the row; e.g., 1A is the left window seat in the first row, while 12E is the right middle seat in the 12th row.

Cheap Air charges Rs. 1,000 extra for any seats in Rows 1, 12, and 13, as those have extra legroom. For Rows 2–10, it charges Rs. 300 extra for Window seats and Rs. 500 extra for Aisle seats. For Rows 11 and 14–20, it charges Rs. 200 extra for Window seats and Rs. 400 extra for Aisle seats. All other seats are available at no extra charge.

The following are known:

• The eight friends were seated in six different rows. They occupied 3 Window seats, 4 Aisle seats, and 1 Middle seat. Seven of them had to pay extra amounts, totalling Rs. 4,600, for their choices of seats. One of them did not pay any additional amount for his/her choice of seat.

• Jayanta, Ajit, and Byomkesh were sitting in seats marked by the same letter, in consecutive rows in increasing order of row numbers; but all of them paid different amounts for their choices of seats. One of these amounts may be zero.

• Gargi was sitting next to Kikira, and Manik was sitting next to Jayanta.

• Prodosh and Tapesh were sitting in seats marked by the same letter, in consecutive rows in increasing order of row numbers; but they paid different amounts for their choices of seats. One of these amounts may be zero.

[CAT Exam: 2017, Slot 2]

Questions

Q1. In which row was Manik sitting?

1. 10

2. 11

3. 12

4. 13

Q2. How much extra did Jayanta pay for his choice of seat?

1. Rs. 300

2. Rs. 400

3. Rs. 500

4. Rs. 1,000

Q3. How much extra did Gargi pay for her choice of seat?

1. Rs. 0

2. Rs. 300

3. Rs. 500

4. Rs. 1,000

Q4. Who among the following did not pay any extra amount for his/her choice of seat?

1. Kikira

2. Manik

3. Gargi

4. Tapesh

Solution:

CAT Tip 1: Use the Initial Letter for Each Name

CAT Tip 2: Write Concrete Information

1. Eight friends, six different rows, 3 Window seats, 4 Aisle seats, and 1 Middle seat.

2. Seven friends paid extra amounts totalling Rs. 4,600.

3. J, A, and B are in consecutive rows with increasing row numbers and paid different amounts for seats marked with the same letter. So, the only possibility is Rows 10, 11, and 12. All three occupy either Aisle seats or Window seats.

4. P and T were sitting in seats marked by the same letter, in consecutive rows in increasing order of row numbers, but they paid different amounts for their choices of seats. One of these amounts may be zero.

Possibilities: Rows 1 and 2, Rows 13 and 14, or Rows 20 and 21. If J, A, and B occupy Window seats, P and T will occupy Aisle seats, and vice versa.

5. Gargi was sitting next to Kikira, and Manik was sitting next to Jayanta.

CAT Tip 3: Look for All the Possibilities

Case 1: J, A, and B Occupy Window Seats

P and T will occupy Aisle seats.

If J is in a Window seat, then Manik (Row 10) must be in the Middle seat.

G and K must occupy two Aisle seats.

Now, consider the extra cost for the Window seats occupied by J, A, and B:

Rs. 300 + Rs. 200 + Rs. 1,000 = Rs. 1,500

For P and T (Aisle seats), there are three possibilities again:

If G and K sit in either Row 1 or Row 13, the extra cost will be Rs. 2,000. In this case, the total extra cost will either be less than Rs. 4,600 or greater than Rs. 4,600.

If G and K sit in rows other than Rows 1 and 13, the maximum extra cost will be Rs. 1,000. In this case, the total extra amount will be less than Rs. 4,600.

Therefore, this case is not possible.

Case 2: J, A, and B Occupy Aisle Seats

P and T will occupy Window seats.

If J is in an Aisle seat, then Manik (Row 10) must be in the other Aisle seat.

G and K must occupy a Middle seat and a Window seat (interchangeably).

Now, consider the extra cost for the Aisle seats occupied by J, A, B, and M:

Rs. 500 + Rs. 400 + Rs. 1,000 + Rs. 500 = Rs. 2,400

For P and T (Window seats), there are three possibilities again:

If G and K sit in either Row 1 or Row 13, the extra cost will be Rs. 2,000. In this case, the total extra cost will be equal to Rs. 4,600 if P and T are in Rows 20 and 21.

If G and K sit in rows other than Rows 1 and 13, the extra cost cannot be Rs. 4,600.

CAT Tip 4: Draw the Final Table

Answers

• Q1. (1)

• Q2. (3)

• Q3. (4)

• Q4. (4)

CAT Entrance Exam: Prerequisites

1. The basics of LR include Direction Sense, Blood Relations, and Ranking.

2. Selection-, Distribution-, and Arrangement-Based Puzzles.

Tips to Solve CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Questions

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) in CAT is all about smart thinking, pattern recognition, and time management. With regular practice and the right approach, you can handle complex sets confidently and boost your overall CAT score.

1. Understand the Question First, Don't Rush

Before jumping into calculations, carefully read the entire set and its instructions. Understand what the question is asking, identify variables, and note any constraints. Misreading one line can lead to the wrong approach, wasting time and effort.

2. Choose the Right Sets to Attempt

You don't have to solve all the DILR sets. Pick the ones that seem familiar or less time-consuming. Sometimes the easiest set is at the bottom. Quickly scan all sets at the beginning and make smart selections.

3. Practise Different Set Types Regularly

DILR questions can include tables, bar graphs, puzzles, seating arrangements, and more. Regularly practise a mix of these formats to build flexibility. This ensures you don't get stuck if the pattern changes in the actual exam.

4. Improve Calculation Speed and Accuracy

Strengthen your mental maths and learn shortcuts for common operations such as percentages, ratios, and averages. Use approximation where needed and double-check your values. Fast and accurate calculations can save precious minutes.

5. Use Rough Work Smartly

Organise your rough work neatly so you can refer back to it if needed. Use tables, flowcharts, or symbols to track data and logical steps. Clear and structured working helps avoid confusion and allows faster revision if time permits.

CAT Tips and Tricks

1. Identify the multiple concepts used in the puzzle individually.

2. Draw individual tables for each category.

3. Use concrete information first.

4. Consider all the possibilities.

5. Eliminate the incorrect possibilities.

Recommended Books for CAT DILR

Part-3: CAT Exam Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Preparation 2026

Part 3 of CAT Exam VARC Preparation 2026 offers practice questions, reading comprehension passages, and verbal ability exercises to strengthen comprehension skills, improve accuracy, and boost confidence for CAT 2026.

CAT Previous Years Question on RC: Comprehension (RC for CAT):

Read the passage and answer the questions based on it.

The end of the age of the internal combustion engine is in sight. There are small signs everywhere: the shift to hybrid vehicles is already underway among manufacturers. Volvo has announced it will make no purely petrol-engined cars after 2019...and Tesla has just started selling its first electric car aimed squarely at the middle classes: the Tesla 3 sells for $35,000 in the US, and 400,000 people have put down a small, refundable deposit towards one. Several thousand have already taken delivery, and the company hopes to sell half a million more next year. This is a remarkable figure for a machine with a fairly short range and a very limited number of specialised charging stations.

Some of it reflects the remarkable abilities of Elon Musk, the company's founder, as a salesman, engineer, and a man able to get the most out of his factory workers and the governments he deals with... Mr Musk is selling a dream that the world wants to believe in.

This last may be the most important factor in the story. The private car is...a device of immense practical help and economic significance but at the same time a theatre for myths of unattainable self-fulfilment. The one thing you will never see in a car advertisement is traffic, even though that is the element in which drivers spend their lives. Every single driver in a traffic jam is trying to escape from it, yet it is the inevitable consequence of mass car ownership.

The sleek and swift electric car is at one level merely the most contemporary fantasy of autonomy and power. But it might also disrupt our exterior landscapes nearly as much as the fossil fuel-engine car did in the last century. Electric cars would, of course, pollute far less than fossil fuel-driven ones; instead of oil reserves, the rarest materials for batteries would make undeserving despots and their dynasties fantastically rich. Petrol stations would disappear. The air in cities would once more be breathable and their streets as quiet as those of Venice. This isn't an unmixed good. Cars that were as silent as bicycles would still be as dangerous as they are now to anyone they hit without audible warning.

The dream goes further than that. The electric cars of the future will be so thoroughly equipped with sensors and reaction mechanisms that they will never hit anyone. Just as brakes don't let you skid today, the steering wheel of tomorrow will swerve you away from danger before you have even noticed it...

This is where the fantasy of autonomy comes full circle. The logical outcome of cars which need no driver is that they will become cars which need no owner either. Instead, they will work as taxis do, summoned at will but only for the journeys we actually need. This is the future towards which Uber...is working. The ultimate development of the private car will be to reinvent public transport. Traffic jams will be abolished only when the private car becomes a public utility. What then will happen to our fantasies of independence? We'll all have to take electrically powered bicycles.

[CAT Exam: 2017]

Q1. Which of the following statements best reflects the author's argument?

1. Hybrid and electric vehicles signal the end of the age of internal combustion engines.

2. Elon Musk is a remarkably gifted salesman.

3. The private car represents an unattainable myth of independence.

4. The future Uber car will be environmentally friendlier than even the Tesla.

Answer: C

CAT Tips and Tricks: Look for the main idea of the passage, as the argument will be related to it.

Options (B) and (D) are not argumentative statements.

The discussion from the last line of the second paragraph to the third paragraph gives the answer.

Q2. The author points out all of the following about electric cars EXCEPT:

1. Their reliance on rare materials for batteries will support despotic rule.

2. They will reduce air and noise pollution.

3. They will not decrease the number of traffic jams.

4. They will ultimately undermine rather than further driver autonomy.

Answer: D

CAT Tips and Tricks: Search the statements to eliminate the irrelevant options.

• Option A: True (fourth paragraph).

• Option B: True (fourth paragraph).

• Option C: True (fourth paragraph).

Q3. According to the author, the main reason for Tesla's remarkable sales is that:

1. In the long run, Tesla is more cost-effective than fossil fuel-driven cars.

2. The US government has announced a tax subsidy for Tesla buyers.

3. The company is rapidly upscaling the number of specialised charging stations for customer convenience.

4. People believe in the autonomy represented by private cars.

Answer: D

CAT Tips and Tricks: Go through the options and search for the relevant information in the passage.

The fourth paragraph makes Option D correct.

Q4. The author comes to the conclusion that:

1. Car drivers will no longer own cars but will have to use public transport.

2. Cars will be controlled by technology that is more efficient than car drivers.

3. Car drivers dream of autonomy, but the future may be public transport.

4. Electrically powered bicycles are the only way to achieve autonomy in transportation.

Answer: C

Explanation: In the last paragraph, the author says, “The logical outcome of cars which need no driver is that they will become cars which need no owner either.” This means that cars will become a form of public transport.

CAT 2026: Prerequisite:

1. Fluency/Skipping in reading

2. Understanding of the phrases

3. Phrasal verbs

Best Books for CAT VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)

1. CAT 2026 Time and Work: Common Calculation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Time and Work questions can become confusing when candidates mix up work rates, total work, and the time required to complete a task. Avoiding calculation errors is particularly important when solving CAT previous-year questions under time pressure.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Adding completion times directly: When two people work together, combine their work rates rather than adding the number of days they take individually.

• Ignoring changes in efficiency: If a person's efficiency increases or decreases, adjust their work rate before calculating the total time.

• Misinterpreting the remaining work: Carefully distinguish between the percentage of work completed and the percentage still left.

• Making errors in multi-stage questions: Calculate the contribution of each person during every stage before determining the remaining work.

Quick Error-Checking Checklist

Before finalising an answer, check whether the calculated time is reasonable, the total work remains consistent across all stages, and the final result matches the conditions given in the question.

2. CAT DILR Miscellaneous Questions: How to Identify Hidden Constraints in Complex Sets

Some DILR sets become difficult because the information is distributed across several statements rather than presented as a straightforward table. Identifying hidden restrictions and connecting related conditions can help candidates narrow down the possible arrangements.

Three Types of Constraints to Identify

How to Organise Your Deductions

1. Separate fixed information from conditions that allow multiple possibilities.

2. Identify statements that restrict several variables simultaneously.

3. Record contradictions immediately rather than carrying invalid possibilities forward.

4. Verify the final arrangement against every original condition.

This approach is particularly useful for complex CAT DILR sets involving multiple people, seating positions, costs, and linked conditions.

3. CAT Reading Comprehension: How to Distinguish Between Close Answer Options

In CAT Reading Comprehension, two options may appear correct because both refer to ideas discussed in the passage. The deciding factor is whether an option accurately reflects the author's argument without changing its scope or introducing unsupported claims.

Why Similar Options Can Be Misleading

• Overgeneralisation: An option extends a claim beyond what the passage establishes.

• Partial correctness: An option reflects one detail but fails to address the complete question.

• Distorted interpretation: An option changes the author's position or the relationship between two ideas.

• Unsupported inference: An option introduces a conclusion that may seem reasonable but is not supported by the passage.

Example of Option Elimination

Suppose a passage argues that electric vehicles may reduce urban air pollution but will not necessarily eliminate traffic congestion.

The key is to evaluate each option against the passage rather than choosing the statement that sounds most convincing in isolation.

4. CAT 2026 Preparation: How to Analyse Mock Test Performance and Set Revision Priorities

Mock tests are useful not only for assessing scores but also for identifying which concepts and question types require further attention. A structured review helps candidates decide whether to revise concepts, practise more questions, or change their attempt strategy.

Build a CAT Mock Test Performance Tracker

Prioritise Revision Using Your Error Log

• Conceptual errors: Revisit the relevant concept and solve a fresh set of questions.

• Calculation errors: Practise similar numerical questions and verify each step.

• Interpretation errors: Re-examine the question wording, passage evidence, or DILR conditions.

• Time-management errors: Review when you should have moved on from a difficult question or set.

After each mock test, select the two or three most frequent error patterns and address them before the next test. This makes revision more targeted instead of repeating topics that you have already mastered.

CAT 2026 Preparation Resources

Explore CAT 2026 preparation resources by Careers360, including expert-curated eBooks, topic-wise practice questions, and revision materials to strengthen concepts and improve exam readiness.