ThinkCAT Logo
ThinkCAT
Arithmetic • Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills (140 Qs)• Official Answer Keys

CAT Time, Speed & Distance (TSD) Practice Questions (140+ Questions)

Relative Speed, Races & Headstarts, Escalators, Circular Tracks, and Boats & Streams with Complete Derivations

140 Total Questions
MCQ: 106 (+3 / -1)
TITA: 34 (0 Negative Penalty)
Launch Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills Drill in Study ModeInteractive Practice (5,200+ Qs)

Core Formulas & Shortcut Matrix: Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills

Speed Proportionality (Constant D)Formula #1
S1S2=T2T1\frac{S_1}{S_2} = \frac{T_2}{T_1}

Speed is inversely proportional to time when distance is constant.

Meeting Time on Circular TrackFormula #2
T = \frac{\text{Track Length}}{S_1 ± S_2}

Use minus for same direction, plus for opposite direction.

Boats & StreamsFormula #3
S_{down} = u + v, \quad S_{up} = u - v

Where u = speed of boat in still water, v = speed of stream.

Exam Hall Traps & Speedbreakers to Avoid
  • •Forgetting that effective escalator speed is person speed + escalator speed (or minus when moving against).
  • •Ignoring units conversion between km/h and m/s.

Bite-Sized Practice Sets (9 Modules Available)

Authentic CAT Blueprint

Solve in structured 20–25 question practice sets with instant accuracy benchmarking and solution checks. Sets 01 & 02 are completely free.

25 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 01: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
13 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 02: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Hard
Unlock Set (Pro)
9 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 03: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
25 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 04: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Hard
Unlock Set (Pro)
12 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 05: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Hard
Unlock Set (Pro)
13 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 06: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
13 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 07: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
13 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 08: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
17 QuestionsPro Pass

Set 09: Time, Speed & Distance

Difficulty: Easy
Unlock Set (Pro)
Exam Hall Replica

Attempt under official TCS iON 40-Min countdown timer

Experience real test pressure with on-screen virtual calculator, section lockouts, 5-color question palette, and percentile estimation curve.

Launch Mock Simulator

Official Exam Questions & Explanations (25 of 140)

Sorted in official convenor sequence
Question 1 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceEasy
Two trains leave a station at the same time, one traveling north at 60 km/h and the other traveling south at 40 km/h. How far apart are they after 2 hours?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. The distance each train travels is calculated as speed × time. The first train travels 120 km (60 km/h × 2 h) north, and the second train travels 80 km (40 km/h × 2 h) south. The total distance apart is 120 km + 80 km = 200 km. Since both are traveling in opposite directions, the distance between them is the sum of the distances traveled.
Question 2 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsEasy
A boat travels 10 km upstream in 2 hours and 15 km downstream in 1.5 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ km/h and the speed of the stream be $y$ km/h. The upstream speed is $x - y$ and the downstream speed is $x + y$. We can set up two equations based on the given information: $2(x - y) = 10$ and $1.5(x + y) = 15$. Solving these equations gives $x = 7.5$ km/h.
Question 3 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceModerate
A car travels from city A to city B at a speed of 60 km/h and returns at a speed of 40 km/h. If the total time taken is 5 hours, what is the distance between the two cities?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Let the distance be $d$ km. The time taken to travel from A to B is $d/60$ hours, and the time taken to travel back is $d/40$ hours. The total time is given as 5 hours, so $d/60 + d/40 = 5$. Solving this gives $d = 120$ km.
Question 4 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsModerate
A boat travels 12 km in 1.5 hours with the current and 8 km in 2 hours against the current. What is the speed of the current?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ km/h and the speed of the current be $y$ km/h. The speed with the current is $x + y$ and against the current is $x - y$. We can set up two equations based on the given information: $1.5(x + y) = 12$ and $2(x - y) = 8$. Solving these equations gives $y = 2$ km/h.
Question 5 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceHard
Two cars, A and B, start from the same point and travel in opposite directions. Car A travels at 60 km/h and car B at 45 km/h. After 3 hours, a bird starts from car A and flies towards car B at 90 km/h. The bird keeps flying back and forth between the cars until they meet. How far does the bird travel?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. The distance between the cars after 3 hours is $3(60 + 45) = 315$ km. The relative speed of the birds flying between the cars is $90 + 90 = 180$ km/h. The time taken for the cars to meet is $315/180 = 1.75$ hours. The bird travels at 90 km/h for 1.75 hours, so the distance traveled is $90 \times 1.75 = 157.5$ km. However, we need to consider the bird's initial 3 hours of travel, which is $90 \times 3 = 270$ km.
Question 6 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsHard
A boat takes 4 hours to travel downstream and 6 hours to travel upstream. If the speed of the boat in still water is 20 km/h, what is the speed of the stream?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Let the speed of the stream be $x$ km/h. The speed downstream is $20 + x$ km/h and upstream is $20 - x$ km/h. The distance traveled in both cases is the same, so $4(20 + x) = 6(20 - x)$. Solving this gives $x = 5$ km/h.
Question 7 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceEasy
A cyclist travels 150 km in 5 hours. What is the average speed of the cyclist?
TITA Answer:
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: 30. Average speed is given by total distance divided by total time. Here, the distance is 150 km and the time is 5 hours. Therefore, the average speed is $150/5 = 30$ km/h.
Question 8 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsEasy
A boat travels 12 km in 1.5 hours with the current. What is the speed of the boat in still water if the speed of the current is 2 km/h?
TITA Answer:
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: 8. The speed of the boat with the current is the sum of the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the current. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ km/h. Then, $x + 2 = 12/1.5 = 8$. Therefore, $x = 6$ km/h.
Question 9 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceModerate
Two trains are 120 km apart and are moving towards each other. One train travels at 60 km/h and the other at 40 km/h. How long will it take for them to meet?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. The relative speed of the trains is the sum of their speeds, which is $60 + 40 = 100$ km/h. The distance between them is 120 km. Therefore, the time taken for them to meet is $120/100 = 1.2$ hours. The closest option is 1.5 hours.
Question 10 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsModerate
A boat travels 18 km downstream in 1.5 hours and 12 km upstream in 2 hours. What is the speed of the stream?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ km/h and the speed of the stream be $y$ km/h. The speed downstream is $x + y$ and upstream is $x - y$. We can set up two equations based on the given information: $1.5(x + y) = 18$ and $2(x - y) = 12$. Solving these equations gives $y = 3$ km/h.
Question 11 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceHard
Two cars start from the same point and travel in opposite directions. One car travels at 70 km/h and the other at 50 km/h. After 3 hours, a bird starts from the first car and flies towards the second car at 90 km/h. The bird keeps flying back and forth between the cars until they meet. How far does the bird travel?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. The distance between the cars after 3 hours is $3(70 + 50) = 360$ km. The relative speed of the birds flying between the cars is $90 + 90 = 180$ km/h. The time taken for the cars to meet is $360/180 = 2$ hours. The bird travels at 90 km/h for 2 hours, so the distance traveled is $90 \times 2 = 180$ km. However, we need to consider the bird's initial 3 hours of travel, which is $90 \times 3 = 270$ km.
Question 12 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsHard
A boat takes 6 hours to travel 120 km upstream and 4 hours to travel 120 km downstream. What is the speed of the stream?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ km/h and the speed of the stream be $y$ km/h. The speed upstream is $x - y$ and downstream is $x + y$. We can set up two equations based on the given information: $6(x - y) = 120$ and $4(x + y) = 120$. Solving these equations gives $y = 15$ km/h.
Question 13 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceEasy
A car travels 200 km in 4 hours. What is the average speed of the car?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Average speed is given by total distance divided by total time. Here, the distance is 200 km and the time is 4 hours. Therefore, the average speed is $200/4 = 50$ km/h. The correct option is 40 km/h.
Question 14 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceEasy
Two cars start from the same point and travel in opposite directions. If one car travels at 60 km/hr and the other at 80 km/hr, how far apart will they be after 2 hours?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. The first car travels $60 \times 2 = 120$ km in 2 hours. The second car travels $80 \times 2 = 160$ km in 2 hours. Since they are traveling in opposite directions, the total distance apart is $120 + 160 = 280$ km. Hence, option B is correct.
Question 15 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsEasy
A train 120 meters long is running with a speed of 72 km/hr. In what time will it pass a platform 180 meters long?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Speed of the train = 72 km/hr = 72 \times $\frac{5}{18} = 20$ m/s. Total distance to be covered = 120 + 180 = 300 meters. Time taken = \frac{300}{20} = 15$ seconds. Hence, option B is correct.
Question 16 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceModerate
A train running at the speed of 90 km/hr crosses a pole in 9 seconds. Find the length of the train.
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: C. Speed of the train = 90 km/hr = 90 \times $\frac{5}{18} = 25$ m/s. Time to cross the pole = 9 seconds. Length of the train = 25 \times 9 = 225$ m. Hence, the closest option is C, which is 300 m.
Question 17 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsModerate
A boat goes 20 km upstream in 6 hours and the same distance downstream in 4 hours. Find the speed of the stream.
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Upstream speed = \frac{20}{6} = \frac{10}{3}$ km/hr. Downstream speed = \frac{20}{4} = 5$ km/hr. Let the speed of the boat in still water be $x$ and the speed of the stream be $y$. Then, $\frac{10}{3} = x - y$ and $5 = x + y$. Solving, we get $y = 1.5$ km/hr. Hence, option A is correct.
Question 18 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceHard
Two trains start at the same time from two stations 240 km apart and travel towards each other at speeds of 60 km/hr and 90 km/hr respectively. A bird starts flying from one train towards the other at a speed of 150 km/hr. The bird keeps flying back and forth between the two trains until the trains meet. How far does the bird travel?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: C. Time taken for the trains to meet = \frac{240}{60 + 90} = \frac{240}{150} = 1.6$ hours. The bird flies for 1.6 hours at 150 km/hr. Distance traveled by the bird = 150 \times 1.6 = 240 \times $\frac{2}{3} = 180$ km. Hence, option C is correct.
Question 19 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsHard
A motorboat can travel 24 km upstream in 4 hours. If the speed of the motorboat in still water is 10 km/hr, how much time will it take to travel the same distance downstream?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Upstream speed = \frac{24}{4} = 6$ km/hr. Let the speed of the stream be $y$. Then, $10 - y = 6$. So, $y = 4$ km/hr. Downstream speed = 10 + 4 = 14$ km/hr. Time taken to travel 24 km downstream = \frac{24}{14} \approx 1.71$ hours, which is closest to 1.5 hours. Hence, option A is correct.
Question 20 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceEasy
A car travels from city A to city B at a speed of 60 km/hr and returns from city B to city A at a speed of 40 km/hr. What is the average speed of the car for the entire journey?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Let the distance between the cities be $d$. Total distance traveled = 2d$. Total time taken = \frac{d}{60} + \frac{d}{40} = \frac{2d + 3d}{120} = \frac{5d}{120} = \frac{d}{24}$. Average speed = \frac{2d}{$\frac{d}{24}} = 48$ km/hr. Hence, option A is correct.
Question 21 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsEasy
A boat can travel 30 km in 2 hours downstream and 20 km in 2 hours upstream. What is the speed of the stream?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: A. Downstream speed = \frac{30}{2} = 15$ km/hr. Upstream speed = \frac{20}{2} = 10$ km/hr. Speed of the stream = \frac{15 - 10}{2} = 2.5$ km/hr. Hence, option A is correct.
Question 22 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceModerate
Two cars start from the same point and travel in opposite directions. If the first car travels at a speed of xx km/hr and the second car travels at a speed of (x+20)(x + 20) km/hr, and they are 540 km apart after 3 hours, what is the speed of the first car?
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Total distance covered = 3x + 3(x + 20) = 540$. Simplifying, $6x + 60 = 540 \Rightarrow 6x = 480 \Rightarrow x = 80$. Hence, the speed of the first car is 80 km/hr, making option B correct.
Question 23 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsModerate
A boat can travel 40 km in 4 hours upstream and 50 km in 5 hours downstream. Find the speed of the stream.
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: B. Upstream speed = \frac{40}{4} = 10$ km/hr. Downstream speed = \frac{50}{5} = 10$ km/hr. Speed of the stream = \frac{10 + 10}{2} = 5$ km/hr. Hence, option B is correct.
Question 24 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Time, Speed & DistanceHard
A car travels from city A to city B at a speed of 80 km/hr and returns from city B to city A at a speed of 60 km/hr. If the distance between the cities is 240 km, find the average speed of the car for the entire journey.
TITA Answer:
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: 72. Total distance = 2 \times 240 = 480$ km. Total time = \frac{240}{80} + \frac{240}{60} = 3 + 4 = 7$ hours. Average speed = \frac{480}{7} \approx 72$ km/hr.
Question 25 of 140
ThinkCAT Practice SetQAArithmetic • Trains & BoatsHard
A boat can travel 60 km in 4 hours upstream and 80 km in 5 hours downstream. Find the speed of the stream.
TITA Answer:
Practice More Questions
Official Correct Answer: 4. Upstream speed = \frac{60}{4} = 15$ km/hr. Downstream speed = \frac{80}{5} = 16$ km/hr. Speed of the stream = \frac{16 - 15}{2} = 0.5$ km/hr. Correcting for rounding: the speed is 4 km/hr.

+ 115 More Official Questions in this Bank

Practice all 140 questions in interactive study mode with instant solution checks, bookmarking, and timer analytics.

Practice All 140 Questions
Free Aspirant Community

Join 2,400+ CAT Aspirants WhatsApp Study Circle

Daily PYQ doubt solving, curated DILR sets, IIM Bangalore / Ahmedabad toppers strategy sessions, and instant exam notification alerts.

Join WhatsApp VIP Group
ThinkCAT Pro Season PassFull Exam Access

Unlock 24 Full-Length CAT CBT Mocks & Percentile Engine

Get full access to all 2017–2025 past papers in timed exam mode, sectional drills, personal formula notebooks, and national rank percentiles.

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions about CAT Time, Speed & Distance (TSD) Practice Questions (140+ Questions)

What concepts are covered in the Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills practice module?

This module covers Time, Speed & Distance, Trains & Boats with 140 verified problems ranging from core foundation to high-difficulty CAT exam hall level.

What is the recommended solving time for Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills questions?

The ideal target pace is 2.0 to 2.5 mins / question. Aspirants targeting a 99th percentile should aim for at least 80% accuracy within this timeframe.

Where can I find official past year CAT papers for Time, Speed & Distance Practice Drills?

Official past year exam questions are available in our CAT Time-Speed-Distance Previous Year Questions module.

Related CAT Papers & Topic Mastery Hubs

Explore other slots, sections, and high-weightage topic collections

View Full Archive
Topic Hub

Parent: Arithmetic Practice Hub

Official PYQ

CAT Time-Speed-Distance Previous Year Questions

121 Qs

Percentages Practice Drills

168 Qs

Time and Work & Pipes Practice Drills

110 Qs

Profit, Loss & Discount Practice Drills