CAT 2020 Question Paper with Answer Key, Download PDF
CAT 2020 was conducted by IIM Indore on 29 November 2020 in CBT mode for MBA and allied management admissions across IIMs. The exam saw major COVID-19 driven changes, with a reduced duration of 120 minutes with 76 questions instead of the usual 100 questions. CAT 2020 followed a three-section structure VARC, DILR, and QA.
CAT 2020 Slot 1 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
CAT 2020 Slot 2 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
CAT 2020 Slot 3 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
CAT 2020 Exam Pattern
CAT 2020 exam pattern underwent a restructured format due to COVID-19, with a shorter duration and fewer questions than any previous year. Despite the reduction, the marking scheme and section order remained unchanged. The paper demanded speed and precision, with no room for guessing on MCQs.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 76 |
| Total Marks | 228 |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +3 / –1 (MCQ); +3 / 0 (TITA) |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes per section (strict lock) |
CAT 2020 Subject-Wise Question Distribution
CAT 2020 had more emphasis on VARC and QA in terms of question count, while DILR carried the fewest questions but was the most time-intensive section. RC alone accounted for nearly 70 percent of the VARC section.
| Section | Questions | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 Ques | RC-heavy; Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 24 Ques | Set-based; 4 to 6 questions per set |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 26 Ques | Arithmetic-dominant; Algebra, Logarithms, Functions |
What Changed in CAT 2020 Due to COVID-19
CAT 2020 was the first year where the pandemic directly altered the exam structure. These changes were introduced as one-time adjustments but ended up setting a new benchmark that influenced CAT 2021 onwards.
| Parameter | Pre-2020 (CAT 2019) | CAT 2020 (Post-COVID) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 | 76 |
| Duration | 180 Minutes | 120 Minutes |
| Number of Slots | 2 | 3 (added to reduce density at centres) |
| Section Time | 60 Minutes each | 40 Minutes each |
| Pattern Stability | Established | Restructured mid-cycle |
In CAT 2020 slot 3 was introduced specifically to reduce crowd density at exam centres. From CAT 2021 onwards, questions dropped further to 66, making CAT 2020 a transitional paper between the old 100-question format and the current 66-question structure.
Relevance of CAT 2020 Paper for CAT 2026 Preparation
CAT 2020 remains a useful baseline paper, particularly for understanding how the exam behaved during a structural transition. However, the current pattern has evolved since 2020 and direct pattern comparisons should be made carefully.
| Area | Value for CAT 2026 Preparation |
|---|---|
| Core concept practice | Strong VARC, DILR, and QA fundamentals still apply |
| RC passage difficulty | CAT 2020 had lengthy, demanding RC useful calibration for current-level passages |
| DILR set structure | 4–6 question sets still appear; 2020 sets are good difficulty-level training material |
| QA topic coverage | Arithmetic and Algebra dominance from 2020 continues to be relevant today |
| Time pressure simulation | 40 minutes per section introduced in 2020 is the same structure used now |
NOTE: CAT 2020 had 26 questions per section in VARC and QA, compared to 24 and 22 in the current format. Adjust attempt targets accordingly when practising 2020 papers.
CAT 2020 Slot-Wise Difficulty Level
Difficulty was not uniform across slots. Slot 1 was the most accessible. Slot 3 was the hardest, particularly in QA. VARC was consistently the toughest section across all three slots, with lengthy passages and close answer options.
| Slot | Timing | Overall Difficulty | Toughest Section | Easier Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Easy to Moderate | VARC | QA |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Moderate | DILR | VARC (comparatively) |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Moderate to Difficult | QA | DILR |
CAT 2020 Paper Analysis
CAT 2020 paper analysis varies by slot, but the overall verdict across all three was consistent, VARC was the hardest section, QA was a relative relief, and DILR sat in between. The paper was considered slightly tougher than CAT 2019 overall, primarily because of longer RC passages and a reduced time window.
| Section | Paper Analysis |
|---|---|
| VARC | Difficult overall; RC passages were lengthy with dense themes; 18 of 26 questions were RC-based; Para Jumbles and Para Summary were moderate; close answer options made elimination harder than usual |
| DILR | Moderate across Slot 1 and 2; sets with 6 questions were time-intensive; sets with 4 questions were more manageable; Slot 2 DILR was harder than Slot 1 |
| QA | Comparatively easier than CAT 2019; Arithmetic, Algebra, and Logarithms dominated; Geometry questions appeared in smaller numbers; Slot 3 QA escalated in difficulty |
CAT 2020 High-Weightage Topics
CAT 2020 followed a predictable high-yield pattern across sections. A small set of core topics carried the majority of questions in each section.
| Section | High-Weightage Areas | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary | 18–20 |
| DILR | Arrangements, Scheduling, Table-based DI, Comparison Sets | 16–20 |
| QA | Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance), Algebra, Logarithms, Functions | 18–20 |
CAT 2020 Most Repeated Topics
CAT 2020 most repeated topics were largely drawn from standard high-yield areas that have consistently appeared across CAT papers. Most questions were variations of familiar concepts rather than completely new formats.
| Section | Repeated Topics | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out | 18–22 |
| DILR | Arrangements, Table-based DI, Comparison Data Sets, Logic Puzzles | 14–18 |
| QA | Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Algebra, Logarithms | 16–20 |
CAT 2020 Good Attempts and Score vs Percentile
CAT 2020 saw some of the highest 99-percentile raw score requirements in recent years. QA being relatively easier pushed overall scores upward, meaning the marks-to-percentile conversion was tighter than usual.
| Section | Good Attempts for 99 Percentile | Good Attempts for 95 Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 18–20 (out of 26) | 14–16 |
| DILR | 15–18 (out of 24) | 10–12 |
| QA | 20+ (out of 26) | 13–15 |
| Raw Score for 99 Percentile | ~101 marks (out of 228) | — |
A raw score of 42 in VARC, 34 in DILR, and 44 in QA was equivalent to the 99 percentile in CAT 2020. This was among the highest raw score requirements seen in recent CAT history, driven by a relatively accessible QA section that lifted overall performance across the pool.
Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) and Mock Tests for CAT Preparation
Previous Year Question Papers and mock tests together show how CAT has shifted in pattern, question style, and time pressure over recent years. PYQs reflect real exam trends, while mocks simulate the actual timed exam environment.
- PYQs show a move toward reasoning-based questions across VARC, DILR, and QA.
- RC-heavy VARC and arithmetic-based QA continue to dominate.
- Mock tests replicate the 40-minute sectional pressure.
- In DILR, set selection matters more than solving speed.Overall, CAT rewards decision-making under time pressure.
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CAT has become more about selecting the right questions quickly than attempting everything. Understanding this shift is key to interpreting both PYQs and mocks correctly.
| Relevant Link | |
|---|---|
| CAT Exam Pattern | CAT Syllabus |
| CAT Eligibility Criteria | CAT Moct test |
CAT 2020 FAQs
Ques: Is CAT 2020 still useful for CAT 2026 preparation?
Ans: Yes, it remains useful for practising core concepts in VARC, DILR, and QA. The 40-minute sectional structure introduced in 2020 is the same one in use today, so time-management training on 2020 papers is directly applicable. However, note that 2020 had 76 questions versus the current 66, so adjust attempt targets when benchmarking.
Ques: What kind of questions from CAT 2020 are still relevant today?
Ans: RC passages, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, table-based DILR sets, and QA questions on Arithmetic and Algebra from CAT 2020 remain highly relevant. These topic areas continue to dominate CAT in the current format.
Ques: Should CAT 2026 aspirants still practice CAT 2020 papers?
Ans: Yes, mainly for building section-wise speed, concept clarity, and DILR set-selection instinct. CAT 2020's VARC difficulty is a useful calibration tool since it was harder than most years
Ques: How is the current CAT pattern different from CAT 2020?
Ans: The current format has 66 questions across three sections (24 VARC, 22 DILR, 22 QA), compared to 76 in 2020 (26 VARC, 24 DILR, 26 QA). The sectional time limit of 40 minutes and the marking scheme remain unchanged. DILR has shifted toward more puzzle-based and games-and-tournaments sets compared to the comparison-table sets that appeared frequently in 2020.
Ques: Why was CAT 2020 conducted in three slots instead of two?
Ans: The third slot was introduced as a COVID-19 precautionary measure to reduce candidate density at exam centres. This was not a planned exam-design change. IIM Indore maintained the three-slot format for 2020 only; CAT 2021 also retained three slots, and the format has continued since.
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