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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 21, 2025 16:37 IST
CAT previous year question papers are an important resource of exam preparation. Get free CAT 2020 question paper and know section wise topics, questions, difficulty level, topic-wise weightage and RC topics of slot 1, 2 and 3. Read all about CAT question paper 2020.

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 PDF download

CAT 2020 question paper

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 2025 exam. You can also download the CAT 2020 question paper and previous years CAT question papers below. 
Table of contents
  • 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
View More

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

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
A: 
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:   From where can I download CAT question papers?
A: 

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:   What is the marking scheme of CAT?
A: 

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.

Q:   What is the sectional time limit in CAT?
A: 

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

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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 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the structure of CAT mock test same as the actual exam?
A: 
CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual CAT exam. It is so because the purpose of the mock test is to prepare the candidate for a speed based test which requires quick decision making and quick calculation with 100 per cent accuracy. This can be achieved only if the candidates has been in such an environment multiple times. In the CAT mock test, candidate has to solve equal number of questions as the CAT exam, in the same time limit. This, helps them in mastering the art of solving 66 questions in 120 minutes with much ease and confidence. The CAT mock tests have questions of same or higher difficulty level than the actual exam. In many unofficial mock tests, the questions are of previous CAT exams. Candidates must solve a variety of mock tests so that they are well versed with CAT questions of all types and varieties.
Q:   How many RC questions does CAT have?
A: 

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.

Q:   What's new in CAT exam?
A: 

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.
Q:   What is the best time to practice CAT mock test?
A: 

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.

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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

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CAT 2020 Question Paper with Answers Slot-2

Download CAT previous year papers pdf

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:

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Moderate

CAT Mock Test 

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Vipra Shrivastava
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