Quantitative Aptitude · Reasoning

Time and Clocks

562 Questions

Time and clocks problems evaluate quantitative aptitude by testing concepts on clock gains, losses, and relative speeds of hands. Questions also cover global time zones and standard time calculations. These logical reasoning topics frequently appear in SSC and banking exams.

Clock gain or lossTime zonesAngle between handsStandard time calculationPrecise time measurement

Time and Clocks Questions

Multiple choice

How many times are the hands of a clock at right angle in a day?

  1. 24

  2. 16

  3. 44

  4. 48

  5. 22
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is clear that both hands of a clock are at right angle twice in every hour, except at 3'o clock and 9'o clock. At 3'o clock and 9'o clock, the positions are identical. So, they are at right angle 22 times in 12 hours. Thus, in 24 hours they are 22 x 2 = 44 times at right angle.

Multiple choice

The priest told the devotees, "The temple bell is rung at intervals of 45 minutes. The last bell was rung five minute ago. The next bell is due to ring at 7:45 am. At what time did the priest give the information to the devotees?

  1. 7:40 am

  2. 6:55 am

  3. 7:05 am

  4. 7:00 am

  5. 7:10 am
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to the information, the next bell will ring at 7:45 am, and the bell is rung at regular intervals of 45 minutes. So, the previous bell was rung at 7:45 - 00:45 = 7:00. The priest gave the information after five minutes of the ringing of the last bell, not before five minutes, the next bell is due to ring.

Multiple choice

A watch, which gains 5 seconds in 3 minutes was set right at 7 a.m. In the afternoon of the same day, when the correct time is 4 p.m., what time will be indicated by that watch?

  1. 3:45 p.m.

  2. 4:10 p.m.

  3. 4:00 p.m.

  4. 4:15 p.m.

  5. 3:50 p.m.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is clear that the watch gains 5 seconds in every 3 minutes, and the number of hours between 7a.m to 4:00 p.m. is = 9 hours, i.e. 9 * 60 = 540 minutes. So, according to this, the watch will gain 540 minutes = 540 * 5 / 3 = 900 seconds and 900 seconds = 900 / 60 = 15 minutes. Thus, the watch will gain 15 minutes in 9 hours. Therefore, the time indicated by the watch at 4 p.m. = 4.00 + 0:15 = 4:15 pm.

Multiple choice

John has prepared such a toy that rings first bell after every 8 minutes, second bell rings after every 10 minutes and the third bell rings after every 15 minutes. If all the bells have rung together at 8 : 30 AM, when will they ring together again?

  1. 10 : 15 AM

  2. 10 : 30 AM

  3. 10 : 35 AM

  4. 10 : 45 AM
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The LCM of 15, 10, 8 is 120 So, the 3 bells will ring together after 120 minutes. i.e., 2 hours i.e., at 10 : 30 AM

Multiple choice

You want to view the current time. Which of the following function(s) can be used to view the current time?

  1. TO_DATE

  2. DATE

  3. SYSDATE

  4. SYSTIME

  5. Not Possible
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

SYSDATE is an Oracle SQL function that returns the current date and time from the database server's operating system. TO_DATE converts string to date, DATE is a datatype not a function, and SYSTIME does not exist in Oracle. SYSDATE is the correct function to view current time.

Multiple choice

The function getHours() returns __________.

  1. the hour of the Date object from 1 - 24

  2. the minute of the Date object

  3. the hour of the Date object from 0 - 11

  4. the hour of the Date object from 0 - 23

  5. the hour of the Date object from 1 - 12
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Muskan would like to complete all her homework before 10 p.m. in order to watch an important TV programme. She has 40 minutes assignment in each of her five prepared subjects. What is the latest time at which she can start and still complete her homework in time for the programme?

  1. 6.30 p.m.

  2. 6.40 p.m.

  3. 7.10 p.m.

  4. 7.20 p.m.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Total homework time = 5 subjects × 40 minutes = 200 minutes = 3 hours 20 minutes. To finish by 10 p.m., Muskan must start at 6:40 p.m.

Multiple choice

The meridian _____ determines the Indian Standard Time and passes through ____.

  1. 82°30'E, Lucknow

  2. 82°30'E, Allahabad

  3. 80°30'E, Allahabad

  4. 80°30'E, Lucknow

  5. 82°30'W, Allahabad
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Standard Time ( IST) is determined by 82°30'E, which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich meridian line and passes through Allahabad. The Indian Standard Time ( IST) is determined by 82°30'E, which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich meridian line and passes through Allahabad.

Multiple choice

What is the time difference between each longitude?

  1. 6 minutes

  2. 4 minutes

  3. 5 minutes

  4. 8 minutes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Earth completes one full rotation (360°) in 24 hours. Dividing 24 hours by 360 degrees gives 4 minutes per degree of longitude. This is why time zones are roughly based on 15° segments (15 × 4 = 60 minutes), creating one-hour time differences between adjacent zones.

Multiple choice

If two points are placed just on either side of the International Date Line, the difference in time between these two points will approximately be how many hours?

  1. 12 hours

  2. 18 hours

  3. 24 hours

  4. 2 hours
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The International Date Line marks the transition between calendar days. When you cross the IDL, the date changes by one full day. Points immediately adjacent on either side are approximately 24 hours apart in local time, with one side being in the current day and the other side being either one day ahead or behind.