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: Highlights
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: VARC
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: DILR
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1: Quantitative Ability
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2: VARC
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2: DILR
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2 Quantitative Ability
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Slot 3
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: VARC
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: DILR
- CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3: Quantitative Ability
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 |
Commonly asked questions
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.
CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
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 |
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 |
Download: CAT 2020 Question Paper VARC Questions
Commonly asked questions
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. 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.
In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:
- The fee amount increased from INR 2,500 to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and from INR 1,250 to INR 1300 for Reserved category candidates.
- In DILR section, number of questions increased from 20 to 22.
- Total marks of CAT DILR section increased from 60 to 66.
- Total marks of CAT exam increased from 198 to 204.
- Candidates can select five cities instead of six.
Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.
Explore colleges based on CAT
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 |
-- |
Download: CAT 2020 Question Paper DILR Questions
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 |
Download: CAT 2020 Question Paper QA Questions
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 |
-- |
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 |
DOWNLOAD NOWCAT 2020 Question Paper with Answers Slot-2 |
Download CAT previous year papers pdf
- CAT Question Paper 2024 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2023 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2022 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2021 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2019 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2018 Download Free PDF
- CAT Question Paper 2017 Download Free PDF
- CAT Previous Year Papers and Analysis
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 PracticeClick to Download |
Download Free VARC Question Bank for Practice |
Download Free QA Question Bank for Practice |
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 |
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 |
| CAT_Mock_Test_Set_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:

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Student Forum
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, CAT books can be used for Alliance AMAT exam preparation as both are MBA entrance exams. Candidates can use same books for preparing for topics such as Quantitative Aptitude and General English. However, the difficulty level of Alliance AMAT exam is much easier as compared to that of CAT exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
Candidates can check below the minimum percentile/eligibility based on CAT-2025 score:
Category | CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
General | 97 |
EWS | 93 |
NC-OBC | 83 |
SC | 60 |
ST | 50 |
DAP General | 87 |
DAP EWS | 83 |
DAP SC | 50 |
DAP ST | 40 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
SECAB Institute MBA admissions are entrance-based and the institute does not give direct admissions. Students have to appear for the selection rounds regardless even if they have CAT score. However, such students may be eligible for state-level scholarships in some cases. To know more, students can
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
CAT is widely accepted across most the top-tier private MBA colleges in India besides all the top IIMs, but the scores alone are not enough, especially in institutes like Management Development Institute, SPJIMR, MICA, etc. There are interview rounds and candidate profile selections to go through af
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get a seat at Bennett University for the MBA/PGDM programme, students have to first attempt the CAT entrance examination, attain the qualifying percentile, and then proceed to the 2nd round of admissions, which may involve GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
Based on old data, Gene
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, students can get admission in Netaji Subhas University MBA without CAT. The university also accepts scores of other national-level management exams, such as MAT/ XAT, etc. Hence, CAT is not mandatory for NSU MBA admission.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.
Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham CAT Cutoff 2026 was only available to students who had attempted the exam and could log in with their registered login ID and password. But, based on the previous years' trends, a CAT percentile of at least 40 would be required to proceed to the next round of admission.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Empire College of Science MBA admissions are merit-based and generally do not require any entrance exams. Hence, having CAT score will not make much of a difference on admission chances. However, students may check with the college to know more.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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