Match clocks and times: to the minute: Example question
31 October 2026
Matching clocks and times to the minute is a key skill for 11+ maths. Children need to spot where the hour and minute hands are pointing and link this to the correct digital time. Use the example below to see how to break down each step.
Example question
Look at the analogue clock. The short hand (hour hand) is just past the 4. The long hand (minute hand) is pointing at the 9.
Step 1
Find the hour. The hour hand has just gone past the 4, so the hour is 4.
Step 2
Find the minutes. The minute hand is on the 9. Count in fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45. That is 45 minutes.
Step 3
Write the time as 4:45.
The correct answer is 4:45.
Key insight: Once your child can match the time on an analogue clock to the minute, they will find it much easier to read any clock and write the matching digital time. This is the same method they will use when practising similar questions.
