CAT 2020 Question Paper with Solutions (Available!): PDF Download

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Updated on Nov 17, 2023 15:56 IST

Get free CAT 2020 question paper PDF and know section wise topics, questions, difficulty level, topic-wise weightage and RC topics of CAT question paper 2020 slot 1, 2 and 3. Download here.

CAT 2020 question paper was of moderate difficulty level – that’s the popular opinion about it. CAT 2020 was conducted in three slot of 2 hours each. The CAT 2020 question paper had 76 questions in total. Candidates preparing for CAT exam must know the latest pattern and structure of the exam paper. Solving CAT Question Papers 2020 of all slots will increase the familiarity of candidates with the pattern, type of questions, and difficulty level.
In this article, we will look at the CAT 2020 question paper of slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 in detail for you to prepare well for CAT exam. You can also download the CAT 2020 question paper and previous years CAT question papers below.

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CAT 2020 Question Paper: Highlights

CAT previous year question papers are an important resource of exam preparation. CAT 2020 question papers of slot 1, 2 and 3 are structured in the same manner. Check the key highlights of CAT question paper 2020.

Features	Details
Sections	1.VARC (26 questions) 2.DILR (24 questions) 3.QA (26 questions)
Total number of questions	76
Total time duration	120 minutes
Sectional time limit	40 minutes
Marking scheme	+3 for every right attempt -1 for every wrong attempt No negative marking for non-MCQs
Total marks	228

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CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1

Now let’s look at the CAT question paper 2020 slot-wise. The first slot question paper has 57 MCQs and 19 non-MCQs. All the three sections are moderate to tough, with VARC being the toughest among all three. Section-wise number of questions and distribution is mentioned below:

CAT 2020 Sections	No. of Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	26	21	5
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI)	24	18	6
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	26	18	8
Total	76	57	19

Q: What is the structure of CAT question paper?

The CAT question paper structure has remained unchanged since 2014 when there were only two sections. Quantitative Aptitude was clubbed with Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was clubbed with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In 2015, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning were clubbed together and Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension made two individual sections. Since 2015, the sectional segregation has remained the same but the number of questions have come down from 100 to 66. The exam duration has also been reduced. Until 2019, the CAT exam was of 180 minutes and the total number of questions were 100. However, in 2020, the question paper structure was revised due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the total number of questions came down to 76. In 2021 and 2022, the number of questions were further lowered to 66. For the last two years, CAT is conducted for 2 hours, and the number of questions is 66. The latest CAT question paper structure is: Total questions: 66 Number of sections: 3 Order of sections - 1. VARC 2. DILR 3. Quantitative Aptitude Sectional time limit: 40 minutes VARC questions: 24 DILR questions: 20 Quantitative Aptitude questions: 22.

Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Q: What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?

Solving the CAT question paper is very important from preparation point of view. Since CAT is a speed based test where candidates have to read long passages, tables and charts, do multiple calculations and solve tricky puzzles, one needs to have prior practice of the same. The CAT mock tests serve this purpose. However, to know what type of passages and puzzles are there in the CAT exam, you need to solve previous years' question papers. Some of the benefits of solving previous years' CAT question paper are: 1. With the help of previous year's CAT question paper, you can understand the latest CAT exam pattern and marking scheme 2. Practicing CAT question papers improves speed and accuracy in solving the questions, which is critical to a speed based exam like CAT 3. Practicing CAT question papers improves time management skills as you would get to know which type of questions take how much time. 4. When you practice CAT question papers, you gain confidence that you can solve all types of CAT questions. This confidence helps in performing better in the exam.

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: VARC

There are four RC passages in CAT question paper 2020 . While two passages are of medium difficulty, the other two are tough. There are only eight questions on Verbal Ability Check the break up of VARC section of CAT 2020 slot 1 paper:

Area / Questions	No. of Questions	Type	Level of Difficulty
Reading Comprehension	18	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
RC-1: Currency in Tang Empire	4	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
RC- 2: Elephant Seal Migration	5	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
RC-3: Importance of Grammar	5	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
RC-4: Subsets of Anarchist philosophy	4	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
Verbal Ability	08	MCQ & TITA	Overall: Moderate
Parajumbles ( 4 sentences)	3	TITA	Moderate to Difficult
Out of Context sentence	2	TITA	Easy to Moderate
Summary	3	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
Overall	26	--	Moderate to Difficult

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: DILR

The 24 questions of DILR section of CAT question paper 2020 slot 1 are divided into three Data Interpretation sets and two logical reasoning sets. Check the break up of this section below:

Area	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty	Question Type
Data Interpretation– 6 students appearing for exam in 5 subjects	6	Moderate	4 MCQ + 2 TITA
Logical Reasoning–4 companies competing for Contracts	6	Difficult	6 MCQ
Data Interpretation–1,000 patients getting treated with 4 different drugs	4	Easy to moderate	4 TITA
Data Interpretation–10 musicians	4	Moderate to difficult	4 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Payment to taxi drivers	4	Moderate to difficult	4 MCQ
Overall	24	Moderate to difficult	--

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CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: Quantitative Ability

In the Quantitative Ability section of CAT question paper 2020 slot 1, you will find maximum questions from Arithmetic and Algebra. Check the break up of this section below.

Area/Question Type	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Numbers	2	Moderate
Arithmetic	10	Easy to moderate
Algebra	8	Moderate
Geometry	3	Easy to moderate
Modern Maths	3	Moderate
Overall	26	Moderate to Difficult

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2

The overall difficulty level of CAT question paper 2020 slot 2 was slightly higher than that of slot 2 with QA and DILR bordering on the difficult side. VARC was on par with slot 1.

Section Name	MCQs	TITA	Total
VARC	21	5	26
DI and LR	18	6	24
QA	18	8	26
-	57	19	76

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2: VARC

The VARC section of CAT question paper 2020 slot 2 is similar to slot 1 in segmentation and difficulty level. It has four RC passages – two tough and two easy. The Verbal Ability section has only eight questions. Check the break up of VARC section of CAT 2020 slot 2 question paper:

Area / Questions	No. of Questions	Type	Level of Difficulty
Reading Comprehension	18	MCQ	Overall: Moderate to Difficult
RC-1: Piracy in International Waters	4	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
RC- 2: Renewable Energy Technologies	5	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
RC-3: The Study of Visual Culture	5	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
RC-4: Aggression - Theories and Models	4	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
Verbal Ability	08	MCQ & TITA	Overall: Moderate
Para jumbles ( 4 sentences)	3	TITA	Moderate to Difficult
Out of Context sentence	2	TITA	Easy to Moderate
Summary	3	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
Overall	26	--	Moderate to Difficult

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2: DILR

The CAT question paper 2020 of slot 2 also had 12 questions each on DI and LR. There were two DI sets and three LR sets. Check the break up of this section below:

Area	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty	Question Type
Data Interpretation–Elections	6	Moderate	4 MCQ + 2 TITA
Logical Reasoning–Set on scheduling of seminars	6	Difficult	6 MCQ
Data Interpretation–Apparel and home decor of 4 cities over two years	4	Moderate	4 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Parking lot	4	Easy to Moderate	4 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Matrix arrangement set on beads of different colours	4	Moderate to difficult	4 TITA
Overall	24	Moderate	--

Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

Q: How many RC questions does CAT have?

The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.

CAT has about 12-16 RC question. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2 Quantitative Ability

Like slot 1, the QA section of slot 2 of CAT question paper 2020 also has maximum questions from Arithmetic (nine questions) and Algebra (seven questions). This section also has eight TITA questions. Students will find this section of CAT 2020 question paper slightly more difficult that CAT 2019 question paper.

Area/Question Type	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Numbers	1	Moderate
Arithmetic	9	Easy to moderate
Algebra	7	Moderate to difficult
Geometry	5	Moderate
Modern Maths	4	Moderate
Overall	26	Moderate

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CAT 2020 Question Paper with Answers Slot-2

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CAT 2020 Question Paper: Slot 3

The CAT question paper 2020 of slot 3 has the same structure as the first two slots and the difficulty level is also same.

Section Name	MCQs	TITA	Total
VARC	21	5	26
DI and LR	18	6	24
QA	18	8	26
Overall	57	19	76

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: VARC

The VARC section of slot 3 of CAT question paper 2020 was similar to slot 1 and 2 in difficulty level and structure. There were four RC passages – two tough and two easy. And, Like slot 1 and 2, there are eight questions from VA in slot 3 question paper too.

Area / Questions	No. of Questions	Type	Level of Difficulty
Reading Comprehension	18	MCQ	Overall: Moderate to Difficult
RC-1: On Travel Writing	5	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
RC-2: Economic crises	4	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
RC-3: Views on Human Nature	5	MCQ	Moderate to Difficult
RC-4: Screen Time and class	4	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
Verbal Ability	08	MCQ & TITA	Overall: Moderate
Para jumbles ( 4 sentences)	3	TITA	Moderate to Difficult
Out of Context sentence	2	TITA	Moderate to Difficult
Summary	3	MCQ	Easy to Moderate
Overall	26	--	Moderate to Difficult

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: DILR

The question paper of slot 3 of CAT 2020 also has a total five sets of DI and LR. Two sets have six questions while three have four questions each. Check the break up of this section of CAT 2020 question paper slot 3 below:

Area	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty	Question Type
Data Interpretation–Four facilities in a school	4	Easy to Moderate	2 TITA + 2 MCQ
Data Interpretation–Organization delivering groceries	4	Moderate to Difficult	4 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Game of six rounds	6	Moderate to Difficult	4 TITA + 2 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Farmer and four daughters	6	Moderate to Difficult	6 MCQ
Logical Reasoning–Patients undergoing blood test	4	Easy to Moderate	4 MCQ
Overall	24	Moderate to Difficult	--

Download Free DILR Question Bank for Practice

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Download Free VARC Question Bank for Practice

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Download Free QA Question Bank for Practice

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CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: Quantitative Ability

Like slots 1 and 2, the QA section of slot 3 of CAT 2020 question paper is alos was dominated by Arithmetic (10 questions). However, the number of Algebra questions are lower than in slot 1 and 2 question papers. Take a look at the break up of this section below:

Area/Q Type	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
Numbers	3	Moderate
Arithmetic	10	Easy to moderate
Algebra	4	Moderate to difficult
Geometry	4	Moderate
Modern Maths	5	Moderate
Overall	26	Moderate

Practice:

CAT Mock Test

Try this CAT Mock Test by Shiksha, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.

CAT_Mock_Test_1	CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
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CAT Question Paper FAQs

Q: What is the structure of CAT question paper?

A: CAT question paper has three sections – VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. The CAT question paper opens on computer screen in the same order. Candidates have to solve VARC section first, then DILR section and then Quantitative Aptitude section.

Q: Is CAT question paper difficult?

A: CAT question paper is moderate to high difficulty level. In the past five years, the difficulty level of the paper has remained the same, i.e. moderate to high. However, if candidates prepare well for the exam they can crack it.

Q: Who prepares CAT question paper?

A: CAT question paper is prepared by the competent authority of the IIM, which has been given the responsibility to conduct the exam in a particular year. CAT 2020 question paper was prepared by IIM Indore faculty and CAT 2021 question paper was prepared by IIM Ahmedabad faculty.

Q: What is the sequence of CAT question paper?

A: The sequence of CAT question paper is as follows:

Section 1: VARC
Section 2: DILR
Section 3: QA

Q: How many questions are there in VARC section of CAT paper?

A: Until 2019, the VARC section of CAT question paper had 34 questions, but from 2020 onwards it has 26 questions. Out of 26 questions, 18 are RC passages based. From 2021 onwards, the CAT VARC section has 24 questions.

Q: Which section has the maximum number of questions in CAT?

A: In CAT question paper, VARC and Quantitative Aptitude sections have equal number of questions, i.e. 24 and 22 questions respectively. The DILR section has only two less, i.e. 20.

Q: What is the marking scheme of CAT exam?

A: In CAT exam, three marks are awarded for each correct attempt and minus one mark is awarded for each incorrect attempt. For unanswered question and non-MCQ, there is no negative marking.

Q: How much time is allotted to complete CAT question paper?

A: Time allotted to complete CAT question paper is 120 minutes without break. Each section of the question paper has sectional time limit of 40 minutes. For PwD candidates, sectional time limit is 60 minutes, which means they can complete the paper in 180 minutes.

Q: What type of questions CAT’s DILR section has?

A: CAT’s DILR section has questions on Data Interpretation based on graphs and tables while the Logical Reasoning questions are set and series based.

Q: Which are the main topics of CAT Quantitative Aptitude section?

A: The main topics of CAT Quantitative Aptitude section are Numbers, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Modern Maths. Most of the questions are asked from different topics of Arithmetic.

Q: What type of questions are there in Verbal Ability CAT?

A: The Verbal Ability questions in CAT exam are usually based on parajumbles, out of context sentence, para summary. Parajumble questions are a set of four-five statements to be arranged in the right order.

About the Author

Vipra Shrivastava

Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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CAT 2020 Question Paper with Solutions (Available!): PDF Download

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