CAT 2020 Question Paper (All Slots) – Free PDF Download

Quick Answer: The CAT 2020 Question Paper is considered one of the most significant CAT previous year papers for exam preparation. Conducted in three slots, the exam included 76 questions to be completed within 120 minutes. 

It was divided into three sections: VARC (Verbal & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). While the overall structure remained consistent across slots, the difficulty level varied slightly, with Slot 3 being the most challenging.

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What You Will Get in This Blog: CAT 2020 question paper PDFs + section-wise detailed analysis + slot-wise comparison + expected cutoffs + tips for CAT 2026 prep

Download CAT 2020 Question Papers PDF

CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 1	Download Now
CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 2	Download Now
CAT 2020 Question Paper Slot 3	Download Now

CAT 2020 Question Paper: What Was the Exam Pattern?

Answer: CAT 2020 was conducted in three slots, each lasting 120 minutes and containing 76 questions. The paper had three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.

• Duration: 120 minutes
• Total Questions: 76
• Sections: 3

CAT 2020 Paper Sections	Questions	Time (min)	Type
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	26	40	MCQs & Non-MCQs
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	24	40	MCQs & Non-MCQs
QA (Quantitative Ability)	26	40	MCQs & Non-MCQs

Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for MCQ wrong, 0 for non-MCQ wrong

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How Difficult Was the CAT 2020 Question Paper?

Answer: CAT 2020 was slightly tougher than CAT 2019. Slot 3 was the hardest, Slot 2 was moderate, and Slot 1 was relatively easier.

Details: Slot-wise Difficulty:

CAT 2020 Slots	Difficulty Level
CAT 2020 Slot 1	Slightly easier than the previous year
CAT 2020 Slot 2	Moderate, tougher than Slot 1
CAT 2020 Slot 3	Most challenging, especially DILR & VARC

Section Observations:

• VARC: Tricky RC passages and critical reasoning questions
• DILR: Tough sets, time-consuming puzzles
• QA: Moderate to difficult; arithmetic, algebra, geometry tested

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What Was the Section-wise Analysis of CAT 2020 Exam Paper?

Answer: CAT 2020 had 26 VARC, 24 DILR, and 26 QA questions, with some Non-MCQs in each section. Difficulty varied by section and slot.

Section	Total Qs	Non-MCQs	Topics	Ideal Attempt for 99+ Percentile
VARC	26	5	RC, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary	18–20
DILR	24	6	DI Sets, Logic Puzzles, Venn Diagrams	9–11
QA	26	6	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration	17–19

CAT 2020 Question Paper: VARC (26 Questions, 40 mins)

• 5 Non-MCQs included
• RC passages: 450–500 words each
• Questions: Critical reasoning, inference, vocabulary
• Ideal attempt for 99+ percentile: 18–20 correct

CAT 2020 Question Paper: DILR (24 Questions, 40 mins)

• 6 Non-MCQs included
• 5 sets: HI-LO, People & Area, Venn Diagram, Orders
• Ideal attempt for 99+ percentile: 9–11 correct

CAT 2020 Question Paper: QA (26 Questions, 40 mins)

• 6 Non-MCQs included
• Topics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry
• Ideal attempt for 99+ percentile: 17–19 correct

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How Did CAT 2020 Slots Differ From Each Other?

Answer: Slot 1 was the easiest, Slot 2 was slightly tougher, and Slot 3 was the most challenging. All slots followed the same pattern.

Slot-wise Observations:

Slot	Difficulty	Key Highlights
Slot 1	Easier	More manageable DILR sets
Slot 2	Moderate	Slightly tougher VARC passages
Slot 3	Hardest	Tricky DILR sets & complex QA questions

Percentile vs Raw Score for 99%ile (Approx.):

Slot	99%ile Score Range
Slot 1	105–108
Slot 2	100–102
Slot 3	100–102

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How Can the CAT 2020 Paper Help in 2026 Preparation?

Answer: Analyzing CAT 2020 helps understand exam patterns, difficulty levels, and question types, allowing aspirants to strategise better for CAT 2026.

Key Benefits of Analyzing CAT 2020 for CAT 2026 Prep:

1. Understand Exam Pattern

• Three sections (VARC, DILR, QA) with similar question distribution
• MCQs and Non-MCQs test both speed and conceptual clarity

2. Identify High-Yield Topics

• VARC: RC passages, critical reasoning, vocabulary
• DILR: HI-LO, Venn diagrams, orders, people & area sets
• QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry

3. Learn Slot-wise Difficulty Trends

• Slot 1: Easier questions for confidence-building
• Slot 2: Moderate difficulty for strategy refinement
• Slot 3: Tough questions to enhance problem-solving speed

4. Set Realistic Targets

• Ideal attempts per section and accuracy requirements for 99+ percentile can guide preparation

5. Improve Time Management & Strategy

• Prioritize easier questions first
• Maintain high accuracy in non-MCQs
• Plan sectional time allocation based on CAT 2020 trends

Conclusion

Analyzing the CAT 2020 question paper provides aspirants with valuable insights into exam pattern, difficulty levels, and section-wise trends.

Understanding the slot-wise variations, expected cutoffs, and ideal attempts per section can help students plan their preparation and strategy for CAT 2026 effectively.

By practicing CAT 2020 thoroughly, aspirants can improve time management, accuracy, and question selection skills, ensuring a higher chance of achieving 99+ percentile in future attempts.