The CAT 2020 exam was conducted on 29th November 2020 in three slots with a total of 76 questions—a reduction from the 100 questions in CAT 2019. Each section was time-bound to 40 minutes, making time management a key challenge.
The paper had 26 questions in VARC, 24 in DILR, and 26 in Quant. While VARC stayed moderate across slots, DILR proved tricky, and Quant ranged from moderate to difficult depending on the slot.
For aspirants, solving CAT 2020 papers is extremely valuable as it was the first year after the exam pattern changed. Practicing these papers will help you understand how the new structure worked, difficulty variations across slots, and the level of good attempts needed.
CAT 2020 Question Paper Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2020 (Sunday) |
| Number of Sessions | 3 (Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 76 |
| Sections | VARC (26), DILR (24), Quant (26) |
| Duration | 120 Minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer, –1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
Download CAT 2020 Question Paper PDF
You can download the CAT 2020 question papers of all three slots in PDF format. Since CAT 2020 was the first year after the exam pattern changed (76 questions instead of 100), solving these papers is highly recommended for aspirants.
| Slots | PDF Link |
| CAT 2020 Slot 1 Question Paper | Click to Download |
| CAT 2020 Slot 2 Question Paper | |
| CAT 2020 Slot 3 Question Paper |
CAT 2020 Question Paper – Slot 1 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2020 slot 1 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 26 | 17–19 |
| DILR | Difficult | 24 | 10–12 |
| Quant | Moderate to Difficult | 26 | 12–14 |
Mentor’s Insight: Slot 1 was tricky, especially with a challenging DILR section. Many students struggled to find sets worth attempting. Quant demanded conceptual clarity and careful selection of problems.
VARC was moderate and became the scoring area. For you, the lesson is to always identify safe scoring zones and avoid over-investing in puzzles.
CAT 2020 Question Paper – Slot 2 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2020 slot 2 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | 26 | 15–17 |
| DILR | Moderate | 24 | 11–13 |
| Quant | Difficult | 26 | 10–12 |
Mentor’s Insight: Slot 2 balanced things slightly, with DILR becoming more approachable compared to Slot 1. However, Quant turned out to be the real hurdle, with many calculation-heavy questions.
VARC was mixed, testing comprehension depth. For aspirants, this slot highlights the importance of adapting your section strategy depending on difficulty on exam day.
CAT 2020 Question Paper – Slot 3 Analysis
Check below the analysis of CAT 2020 slot 3 question paper:
| Sections | Difficulty Level | No. of Questions | Good Attempt |
| VARC | Moderate | 26 | 16–18 |
| DILR | Difficult | 24 | 12–14 |
| Quant | Moderate | 26 | 13–15 |
Mentor’s Insight: Slot 3 was relatively more manageable compared to the first two. Quant was moderate and scoring for those with strong basics. VARC maintained balance with approachable RCs, while DILR still carried a higher difficulty. The key takeaway: if one section feels tough, stay calm and maximize attempts in the others.
CAT Question Paper 2020: Slot-Wise Comparison
| Section | Slot 1 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) | Slot 2 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) | Slot 3 (Difficulty / Good Attempts) |
| VARC | Moderate / 17–19 | Moderate to Difficult / 15–17 | Moderate / 16–18 |
| DILR | Difficult / 10–12 | Moderate / 11–13 | Difficult / 12–14 |
| Quant | Moderate to Difficult / 12–14 | Difficult / 10–12 | Moderate / 13–15 |
| Overall Paper | Tough start with hard DILR sets | Heavy Quant with balanced DILR | Relatively manageable, best balance |
Practice More CAT PYQs:
- CAT 2025 Question Paper
- CAT 2024 Question Paper
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2019 Question Paper
Why Solve CAT 2020 Question Paper?
1. Experience the New Exam Pattern
CAT 2020 was the first exam after the pattern change, reducing questions from 100 to 76. Solving this paper helps you understand how IIMs adjusted the difficulty and structure. It gives you the right exposure to the current CAT exam format.
2. Build Section-Wise Exam Strategy
With 26 questions in VARC, 24 in DILR, and 26 in Quant, the CAT 2020 paper shows how sectional balance impacts performance. By practicing, you learn how to distribute time, select the right questions, and maximize attempts across all three sections.
3. Improve Time Management Skills
Each section in CAT 2020 had a strict 40-minute time limit. Attempting the CAT 2020 question paper under real exam conditions trains you to handle pressure, make quick decisions, and avoid wasting time on difficult questions. This practice sharpens your speed and accuracy.
4. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
CAT 2020 papers act as a self-assessment tool. When you attempt them, you realize which section is your scoring area and which one needs more focus. This clear picture ensures your preparation becomes more targeted and effective for the upcoming CAT exam.
5. Boost Confidence with Real CAT Papers
Practicing CAT previous year papers like CAT 2020 gives you confidence. Since these are authentic exam-level questions, solving them regularly reduces anxiety, builds exam temperament, and helps you stay calm and focused on the actual CAT day.
How to Use CAT Question Paper 2020 for Preparation?
1. Attempt in Real Exam Conditions: Solve the CAT 2020 paper with a strict 120-minute timer, 40 minutes per section. This replicates the actual exam environment and prepares you mentally for handling the pressure on test day.
2. Analyze Section by Section: After finishing the paper, review VARC, DILR, and Quant separately. Check where you lost time, which questions you skipped, and where errors occurred. This breakdown helps in creating targeted study plans.
3. Compare All Three Slots: Each CAT 2020 slot had a different difficulty balance—Slot 1 with tough DILR, Slot 2 with challenging Quant, and Slot 3 more balanced. Attempting all three gives you exposure to varied patterns and teaches adaptability.
4. Refine Exam Strategies: Use CAT 2020 to test different approaches—like attempting RCs first in VARC, or prioritizing easy sets in DILR. Over time, you’ll identify which strategy maximizes your score while keeping accuracy intact.
5. Reattempt to Measure Growth: Revisit CAT 2020 papers after a few weeks. If your accuracy and attempts improve the second time, it’s proof that your preparation is on track. Reattempting also reinforces concepts you got wrong earlier.
More important resources for CAT exam:
| CAT Exam Pattern | CAT Previous Year Question Papers |
| CAT Exam Analysis | CAT VARC Syllabus |
| CAT Exam Eligibility | CAT Answer Key |
| CAT DILR Syllabus | CAT Exam Syllabus |
| CAT Admit Card | CAT Percentile vs Score |
FAQs About CAT Question Paper 2020
CAT 2020 was held on 29th November 2020 in three slots – morning, afternoon, and evening.
There were 3 slots, each of 2 hours duration.
CAT 2020 had 76 questions in total.
120 minutes (40 minutes per section).
Yes, +3 marks for correct answers, –1 for wrong MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA questions.
Overall, CAT 2020 was moderate to difficult. DILR was the toughest in Slot 1, Quant was heavy in Slot 2, while Slot 3 was comparatively balanced.
Slot 1 was the toughest, mainly due to tricky DILR sets.
Slot 3 was considered relatively easier and more balanced.
There were 4 Reading Comprehension passages in each slot.
CAT 2020 had 4 sets of DILR with 6 questions each (24 total).
CAT 2020 introduced the reduced question format (76 instead of 100), making it a landmark paper for practice.
Around 40–45 questions with high accuracy was considered a good attempt.
Yes, the paper had 76 questions compared to 100 in CAT 2019.