UCAT time zone questions
Put both times into the same zone first, then subtract. Moving to a zone that is ahead, add the difference; to one behind, subtract it. Watch for the date change after midnight.
A van covers 210 km between 09:00 and 12:30. It stops for 30 minutes. What is its average speed while moving?
The method
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Pick one zone | Usually the departure city's. |
| 2. Convert the other time | Ahead: subtract the difference to get back to your zone. Behind: add it. |
| 3. Subtract | Count hours to the next whole hour, then the rest. |
| 4. Check the day | Past midnight, add 24 hours to the later time. |
Three worked examples
Worked example Flight time across zones
A flight leaves London at 14:20 and lands in Dubai at 00:50 local time the next day. In this question Dubai is 4 hours ahead of London. How long is the flight?
Why this works: In London time it lands at 20:50. From 14:20 to 20:50 is 6 hours 30 minutes.
Why the tempting route fails: Subtracting the clock times as written gives 10 hours 30 minutes: it counts the 4-hour difference as flying time.
Worked example A meeting in three cities
A call starts at 16:00 in New York. In this question New York is 5 hours behind London and Tokyo is 9 hours ahead of London. What time is it in Tokyo?
Why this works: London is 21:00. Tokyo is 9 hours later: 06:00 the next day.
Why the tempting route fails: Adding 9 hours straight to 16:00 gives 01:00: it skips the 5 hours from New York to London.
Worked example Arrival in the other zone
A train leaves Paris at 21:45. In this question Paris is 1 hour ahead of London. The journey takes 2 hours 35 minutes. What time does it arrive in London, in London time?
Why this works: In Paris time it arrives at 00:20. London is an hour behind, so 23:20 the same day.
Why the tempting route fails: 00:20 is the Paris clock. The question asks for London time.
Saving seconds
- Write the two times in one zone on the whiteboard before you subtract.
- Count to the next whole hour, then add the rest: 14:20 to 15:00 is 40 minutes.
- If an answer is exactly the time difference away from another option, that option is the trap.
Keep going
Every QR question type: UCAT QR practice questions
Pacing each question: QR time per question