CAT 2020 Question Paper PDF (Slot-wise) – Download Slot 1, 2 & 3

A) 5
B) 4
C) 3
D) 6

Answer: B) 4
 

2. A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹800 and marks it 25% above cost price. If he offers a discount of 10%, what is his profit percentage?

A) 7.5%
B) 10%
C) 12.5%
D) 15%

Answer: C) 12.5%

3. In how many ways can 5 books be arranged on a shelf?

A) 60
B) 120
C) 24
D) 720

Answer: B) 120

4. If the sum of the first 10 positive integers is 55, what is the sum of the first 10 even positive integers?

A) 100
B) 110
C) 120
D) 90

Answer: C) 120

A) 52
B) 60
C) 62.5
D) 50

Answer: B) 60

A) 360
B) 240
C) 120
D) 720

Answer: B) 240

A) 70
B) 75
C) 80
D) 85

Answer: B) 75

A) Independent clause
B) Dependent clause
C) Absolute phrase
D) Appositive

Answer: B) Dependent clause

A) Vocabulary meaning
B) Main idea
C) Inference
D) Grammar

Answer: C) Inference

1) He checked his schedule.
2) Then he left for the meeting.
3) After getting the invitation, he prepared the documents.
4) He was confident about the presentation.

A) 3‑1‑4‑2
B) 1‑3‑2‑4
C) 3‑4‑1‑2
D) 4‑3‑1‑2

Answer: A) 3‑1‑4‑2

CAT 2020 DILR Total Questions and Sets

The DILR section in CAT 2020 followed a structured yet challenging format. Understanding this structure is crucial for CAT preparation.

CAT 2020 DILR Total Questions and Sets

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

How many slots in CAT 2020?

CAT 2020 was conducted in 3 slots.

Morning slot: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Afternoon slot: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Evening slot: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

 This was a change from earlier years (which had 2 slots), mainly due to COVID-19 precautions.

Download Free PDF: Most Repeated Topics in the CAT Exam

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

Download Free PDF: Top 10 RC Sources of Past CAT Papers

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: Total number of VARC questions in CAT 2020

• 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: Total number of DILR questions in CAT 2020

• 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: Total number of QA questions in CAT 2020

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

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

TOP 10 Red Flags to Avoid During CAT 2026 Preparation

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

Key Takeaways

• The paper pattern was consistent across all three slots: 26 VARC, 24 DILR, and 26 QA questions.
• Non-MCQs (TITA) were included in all sections to test reasoning and conceptual clarity.
• Slot-wise difficulty: Slot 1 – easiest, Slot 2 – moderate, Slot 3 – toughest.
• Expected cutoff: A raw score of 100–108 could fetch a 99%ile depending on the slot.
• Understanding CAT 2020 trends can help effectively plan CAT 2026 preparation.