
Preparing for the RRB Group D exam requires a solid grasp of logical patterns. One of the most important topics in the syllabus is the Reasoning Clock. Many students find these questions tricky, but once you learn the basic formulas, they become very easy to solve.
Clock questions are an important part of the reasoning section in railway exams. These problems test clarity of concepts and calculation accuracy. Students are often asked to find angles between clock hands or determine the exact time when a specific position is formed.
A clear understanding of Reasoning Clock helps reduce calculation errors. These questions are scoring if the concepts are strong. No shortcuts are required. Only basic logic and regular practice are enough.
Before solving questions, it is important to understand the clock face.
A clock has 12 equal divisions
Each division represents 5 minutes
A full clock rotation equals 360 degrees
From this structure:
One hour space = 30 degrees
One minute space = 6 degrees
These values are the base of all Reasoning Clock calculations.
Also Read: Railway RRB Calendar 2026
The two hands move at different speeds.
The minute hand moves 6 degrees per minute
The hour hand moves 0.5 degrees per minute
Due to this speed difference, angles keep changing every minute. Most Reasoning Clock questions depend on this movement pattern.
The Reasoning Clock concept is based on the movement of the hour hand and the minute hand. To find the angle between these two hands, you must remember that the clock is a circle of 360°. Each minute on a clock represents an angle of 6°.
A common formula used in Reasoning Clock problems is:
In this formula, m stands for minutes and h stands for hours. This helps you find the exact position of the hands at any given time.
In Reasoning Clock lessons, you will often hear about "overlapping" and "straight lines."
0° Angle (Overlapping): The hands of a clock overlap 22 times in a 24-hour period.
180° Angle (Straight Line): The hands form a straight line (pointing in opposite directions) 11 times every 12 hours. In a full day, this happens 22 times.
Understanding these frequencies is a vital part of mastering the Reasoning Clock.
To find exactly when the hands form a 180° angle, you can use the "reverse time" method. For example, the reverse of 7 is 1, and the reverse of 8 is 2. The formula for the Reasoning Clock 180° timing is:
Using this method, you can quickly solve complex questions during your RRB Group D exam.
The term “straight line” often creates confusion.
A straight line position can mean:
0° angle (hands together)
180° angle (hands opposite)
So, in 24 hours:
0° angle → 22 times
180° angle → 22 times
Total straight line positions = 44 times
The reverse of an hour is the number opposite to it on the clock.
Examples:
Reverse of 7 = 1
Reverse of 8 = 2
Reverse of 9 = 3
Reverse of 10 = 4
Reverse of 11 = 5
Reverse of 6 = 12 (treated as 0)
This concept simplifies reverse angle calculations in Reasoning Clock questions.
Some questions give the gap between hands in minutes instead of degrees.
Key rule:
1 minute gap = 6 degrees
So:
5 minutes gap = 30 degrees
3 minutes gap = 18 degrees
These conversions are necessary before applying formulas in Reasoning Clock problems.
The universal angle formula is:
Angle = | (11/2 × M) − (30 × I) |
Where:
M = minutes
I = initial hour
Except for 0° and 180°, every angle occurs twice in one hour. This rule helps solve most Reasoning Clock questions accurately.
These questions are designed to help students practice important clock-based reasoning concepts. These questions reflect the level and pattern commonly seen in RRB Group D examinations.
How many degrees does the minute hand move in one minute?
A. 3°
B. 5°
C. 6°
D. 30°
Answer: C. 6°
How many times do the clock hands overlap in 12 hours?
A. 10 times
B. 11 times
C. 12 times
D. 22 times
Answer: B. 11 times
How many times do the clock hands form a 180° angle in 24 hours?
A. 11 times
B. 12 times
C. 22 times
D. 44 times
Answer: C. 22 times
What is the total number of straight-line positions formed by clock hands in 24 hours?
A. 22
B. 33
C. 44
D. 48
Answer: C. 44
At what angle are the clock hands at 3:00 exactly?
A. 30°
B. 60°
C. 90°
D. 180°
Answer: C. 90°
What is the angle between the hands at 6:00?
A. 0°
B. 90°
C. 120°
D. 180°
Answer: D. 180°
How many degrees does the hour hand move in one minute?
A. 0.5°
B. 1°
C. 5.5°
D. 6°
Answer: A. 0.5°
If the gap between the clock hands is 5 minutes, what is the angle between them?
A. 18°
B. 24°
C. 30°
D. 36°
Answer: C. 30°
The reverse of hour 9 on a clock is:
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: C. 3
Between which two hours does the 180° angle occur exactly at 6:00?
A. 4 and 5
B. 5 and 6
C. 6 and 7
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
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