
Time, Speed, Distance is a sub part of Arithmetic in CAT exam. This sub topic is the most common and forms a considerable part of CAT Arithmetic ( 8-12 questions ). 3-5 questions are directly or indirectly based on CAT Time, Speed, Distance.
CAT Time, Speed, Distance questions are easy to crack as they are relatable and one uses the concept in real life too. Being one of the easier sub topics, one can get the questions 100% correct. Core concepts include constant distance, constant time and constant speed. The questions are usually based on average speed, relative speed, circular tracks and boats & streams.
To crack Time, Speed, Distance questions of CAT, candidates need to practice ample number of sums to be thorough will all possible scenarios. CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29 and this is the time to start preparing for the Quantitative Aptitude section. Check below a few Time, Speed, Distance CAT questions for practice. Also get a free PDFs of sample questions and topic guide. Strengthen your CAT 2026 preparation with Shiksha CAT prep series.
- Sample Time, Speed, Distance CAT Questions with Solutions
- CAT Time, Speed, and Distance: Weightage and Exam Trends
- Sub Topics in CAT Time Speed Distance
- Explore more CAT Prep Content
- FAQs on CAT Time Speed Distance
Sample Time, Speed, Distance CAT Questions with Solutions
Question 1: Two trains cross each other in 14 seconds when running in opposite directions along parallel tracks. The faster train is 160 m long and crosses a lamp post in 12 seconds. If the speed of the other train is 6 km/hr less than the faster one, its length, in m, is
- 184
- 190
- 192
- 180
Question 2: The distance from A to B is 60 km. Parth and Narayan start from A at the same time and move towards B. Partha takes four hours more than Narayan to reach B. Moreover, Partha reaches the mid-point of A and B two hours before Narayan reaches B. The speed of Partha, in KM per hour is:
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 6
Question 3: One can use three different transports which move at 10, 20, and 30 kmph, respectively. To reach from A to B, Amal took each mode of transport 1/3 of his total journey time, while Bimal took each mode of transport 1/3 of the total distance. The percentage by which Bimal’s travel time exceeds Amal’s travel time is nearest to
- 19
- 21
- 22
- 20
Question 4: Trains A and B start traveling at the same time towards each other with constant speeds from stations X and Y, respectively. Train A reaches station Y in 10 minutes while train B takes 9 minutes to reach station X after meeting train A. Then the total time taken, in minutes, by train B to travel from station Y to station X is:
- 6
- 15
- 10
- 12
Note: These questions have been taken from CAT 2022, CAT 2021, CAT 2019 and CAT 2019.
CAT Time, Speed, and Distance: Weightage and Exam Trends
Time, Speed, and Distance (TSD) is an essential part of the Arithmetic section in CAT Quantitative Aptitude. In recent CAT exams, candidates can expect 1 to 3 questions from this topic in each slot. Questions range from moderate to difficult and often test proportional reasoning rather than direct formula substitution.
Sub Topics in CAT Time Speed Distance
CAT questions are usually based on the following concepts:
- Linear Races: Head starts (distance start or time start) and finish-line conditions.
- Circular Tracks: First meeting point, meeting at the starting point, and number of distinct meeting points.
- Trains: Time taken to cross a stationary object (pole, standing person) or an extended object (platform, bridge, or another moving train).
- Escalators: Person walking up or down a moving escalator (similar to boats and streams).
- Clocks: Angle between hour and minute hands, and problems involving gaining or losing time.
Explore more CAT Prep Content
Check topic-wise questions and preparation plan using the links below:
FAQs on CAT Time Speed Distance
Find some FAQs related to CAT time speed distance questions:
Commonly asked questions
Typically, 1 to 3 questions are asked from Time, Speed, and Distance in the Quant section of CAT exam. It is one of the high weightage topics within Arithmetic.
CAT frequently tests concepts based on relative speed, linear and circular races, trains passing platforms or other trains, boats and streams, and escalators.
Yes. Most CAT time, speed, distance questions can be solved faster using inverse and direct proportionality ratios
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