Understand the rule first
Break journeys at convenient hour or half-hour points. Keep 24-hour notation and durations separate, and remember that 60 minutes make one hour.
Time & timetables 11+ practice
Calculate elapsed time and interpret timetables across hour boundaries.
How long is it from 09:47 to 11:05?
- 09:47 to 10:00 is 13 minutes.
- 10:00 to 11:00 is 60 minutes; then 5 more minutes.
- 13 + 60 + 5 = 78 minutes = 1 hour 18 minutes.
A common misconception
Subtracting times as though each hour contained 100 minutes.
Reusable method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.Question 1 of 10 MathscoreA train leaves at 14:38 and arrives at 15:27. How long is the journey?
- A39 minutes
- B51 minutes
- C89 minutes
- D49 minutes
Need a hint?
Count to 15:00, then to 15:27.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 49 minutes
14:38 to 15:00 is 22 minutes; 22 + 27 = 49 minutes.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 2 of 10 MathscoreWhat time is 85 minutes after 07:50?
- A09:15
- B08:35
- C09:25
- D08:15
Need a hint?
Eighty-five minutes is 1 hour 25 minutes.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 09:15
07:50 + 1 hour = 08:50; plus 25 minutes = 09:15.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 3 of 10 MathscoreA lesson ends at 12:10 after lasting 55 minutes. When did it start?
- A11:05
- B11:15
- C11:25
- D12:55
Need a hint?
Work backwards 10 minutes to noon, then another 45.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 11:15
12:10 − 55 minutes = 11:15.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 4 of 10 Mathsexam-styleA coach departs at 23:35 and travels for 2 hours 50 minutes. When does it arrive?
- A01:15
- B02:15
- C02:25
- D01:25
Need a hint?
Cross midnight after adding the first 25 minutes.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 02:25
23:35 + 25 minutes = 00:00; 2 hours 25 minutes remain, so arrival is 02:25.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 5 of 10 Mathsexam-styleA bus is due at 16:42 but is 37 minutes late. When will it arrive?
- A16:79
- B17:09
- C17:15
- D17:19
Need a hint?
Add 18 minutes to reach 17:00, then add the rest.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 17:19
16:42 + 18 minutes = 17:00; 19 more minutes gives 17:19.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 6 of 10 MathscoreHow long is it from 09:47 to 11:15?
- A1 hour 18 minutes
- B1 hour 28 minutes
- C1 hour 32 minutes
- D2 hours 28 minutes
Need a hint?
Bridge to 10:00, then 11:00, then 11:15.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 1 hour 28 minutes
09:47 to 10:00 is 13 minutes, then 60 minutes and 15 minutes: 88 minutes = 1 hour 28 minutes.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 7 of 10 MathscoreWhat time is 2 hours 35 minutes after 14:50?
- A16:25
- B17:15
- C17:25
- D17:35
Need a hint?
Add two hours first, then cross the next hour boundary.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 17:25
14:50 + 2 hours = 16:50; adding 35 minutes gives 17:25.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 8 of 10 MathscoreA train leaves at 18:42 and travels for 1 hour 58 minutes. When does it arrive?
- A19:40
- B20:30
- C20:50
- D20:40
Need a hint?
Add two hours, then subtract two minutes.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 20:40
18:42 + 2 hours = 20:42; subtracting 2 minutes gives 20:40.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 9 of 10 MathsexamA bus journey takes 32 minutes. Buses leave every 20 minutes from 07:35. What is the latest bus that arrives by 09:25?
- A08:35
- B08:55
- C09:05
- D09:15
Need a hint?
List the departure times and test the latest possible one.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 08:35
Departures include 08:35 and 08:55. The 08:55 bus arrives at 09:27, too late; the 08:35 bus arrives at 09:07.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.
Question 10 of 10 MathsstretchA clock is correct at 06:00 but loses 3 minutes every 2 hours. What will it show when the real time is 20:00?
- A19:36
- B19:39
- C19:42
- D19:57
Need a hint?
Count the two-hour periods in the 14 real hours.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 19:39
There are seven two-hour periods, so the clock loses 7 × 3 = 21 minutes. At 20:00 it shows 19:39.
Quick method: Use a number line for elapsed-time questions.