The CAT 2020 was conducted on November 29, 2020, in 3 Slots. CAT 2020 was conducted by IIM Indore and the paper pattern included 76 questions in total with a time duration of 120 minutes.
CAT 2020 Slot 1 comprised 76 questions with 26 questions in VARC, 26 questions in QA and DILR section had 24 questions. VARC was slightly on the tougher side while QA & DILR were easy to moderate in terms of level of difficulty.
CAT 2020 Slot 2 VARC & QA section showed no surprises and was similar to Slot 1. The DILR section was tough in Slot 2 when compared to CAT 2020 Slot 1.
The CAT 2020 Slot 3 was parallel to CAT 2020 Slot 1 & 2 in terms of the exam pattern. The VARC section included 26 questions, the DILR section included 24 questions and the QA section had 26 questions.
An overall 99%ile was achieved if one scored 42 marks in the VARC section, 34 marks in DILR section, and 44 marks in QA section.
CAT 2020 Exam Highlights & Changes
- Total number of questions were reduced to 76 from 100 questions in CAT 2019
- Time duration was reduced to 120 minutes
- VARC section was slightly tougher
- DILR and QA sections were easy to moderate in terms of level of difficulty
- 17 Non-MCQs questions were included in CAT 2020
The detailed CAT exam 2020 analysis of Slot 1, Slot 2 & Slot 3 are given below.
CAT 2020 Slot 1 Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 1 exam was conducted between 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on November 29, 2021. The pattern and format of this year’s CAT exam was changed as compared to last year
CAT 2020 Notification Release showed reduced time duration and sectional time limit i.e 2 hours with 40 minutes allocated to each section. CAT aspirants faced 76 questions in 2 hours. Section-wise distribution of questions is mentioned below:
- CAT 2020 VARC Section included 26 questions
- CAT 2020 DILR section included 24 questions
- CAT 2020 QA Section include 26 questions
The marking scheme remained unchanged with +3/-1 for MCQs, and +3/0 for Non-MCQs. CAT 2020 was slightly tougher than CAT 2019 with lengthy VARC passages. DILR was similar to CAT 2017-18. QA, however, was a relieve and easy when compared to CAT 2019
An overall 99%ile was achieved if one scored 42 marks in the VARC section, 34 marks in DILR section, and 44 marks in QA section.
CAT 2020 Slot 1 – VARC Analysis
Similar to CAT 2019, VARC section of CAT 2020 Slot 1 was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level. Unexpected lengthy passages were difficult to attempt.
26 Questions were included in CAT 2020 Slot 1 VARC section with 6 questions being Non-MCQs. 3 Passages out of 4 is an ideal attempt in RC section. The VA section was typical with short answers in the Para Summary section with tricky options. Para Jumbles proved to be difficult in terms of level of difficulty.
CAT 2020 VARC topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 1 – DILR Analysis
The DILR section was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level with questions of CAT 2016, 2017 & 2018 level. 6 Non-MCQ questions were included in this section.
3 sets were doable, Venn diagram and the cab driver set. A good attempt of 12-13 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile
CAT 2020 DILR topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 1 – QA Analysis
In terms of difficulty level, the CAT 2020 Slot 1 QA section was similar to CAT 2019. In 40 minutes the candidates had 26 questions to attempt including 6 non-MCQs.
Arithmetic and Algebra dominated this section. A good attempt of 18-19 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile in CAT 2020 QA section
CAT 2020 QA topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 2 Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 2 was similar to Slot 1. CAT 2020 Slot 2 like Slot 1 had 76 Questions to be attempted in 120 minutes. Section-wise break-up of questions is mentioned below
- CAT 2020 VARC: 26 questions in 40 minutes
- CAT 2020 DILR: 24 questions in 40 minutes
- CAT 2020 QA: 26 questions in 40 minutes
The marking scheme remained unchanged with +3/-1 for MCQs, and +3/0 for Non-MCQs. CAT 2020 Slot 2 was similar to Slot 1 in terms of level of difficulty. VARC was lengthy and tougher just as seen in Slot 1. DILR was similar to CAT 2017-18. QA, however, was a relieve and easy when compared to CAT 2019
An overall 99%ile was achieved if one scored 42 marks in the VARC section, 34 marks in DILR section, and 44 marks in QA section.
CAT 2020 Slot 2 – VARC Analysis
Similar to CAT 2020 Slot 1, VARC was again a lengthy section with close options and tough questions. VARC section was moderate to difficult in terms of level of difficulty. Candidates had to attempt 26 questions in 40 minutes including 5 Non-MCQ questions.
3 Passages out of 4 is an ideal attempt in the RC section. The VA section was typical with short answers in the Para Summary section with tricky options. Para Jumbles proved to be difficult in terms of level of difficulty.
CAT 2020 VARC topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 2 – DILR Analysis
CAT 2020 Sot 2 was trickier than Slot 1. 5 sets with 24 questions in total. DILR section was quite similar to CAT 2016, 2017 & 2018 DILR section in terms of level of difficulty
Arithmetic and Algebra dominated this section. A good attempt of 10-12 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile in CAT 2020 DILR section
CAT 2020 DILR topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 2 – QA Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 2 QA section was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty, quite similar to CAT 2019. Candidates had to solve 26 Questions (5 non-MCQs) in 40 minutes. Algebra and Arithmetic dominated the section. Compared to CAT 2020 Slot 1 QA section which had no Modern Maths questions, Slot 2 had 2 questions from Modern Maths.
A good attempt of 18-19 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile in CAT 2020 QA section
CAT 2020 QA topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 3 Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 3 shows no surprises and was similar to CAT 2020 Slot 1 & 2. In terms of difficulty level (LOD) there were loud and clear variations:
Difficulty Level of CAT 2020 Slot 3 was toughest when compared to Slot 1 & 2. Between CAT 2020 Slot 2 & 1, Slot 2 difficulty level was higher than Slot 1.
CAT 2020 Slot 3 – VARC Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 3 VARC section similar to Slot 1 & 2 was lengthy with close options and tough questions. Candidates had to attempt 26 Questions (5 non-MCQs) in 40 minutes.
3 Passages out of 4 is an ideal attempt in the RC section. The VA section was typical with short answers in the Para Summary section with tricky options. Para Jumbles proved to be difficult in terms of level of difficulty.
CAT 2020 VARC topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 3 – DILR Analysis
CAT 2020 DILR Slot 3 was more difficult than Slot 1 & 2. 24 Questions were asked in this section. DILR section was quite similar to CAT 2016, 2017 & 2018 DILR section in terms of level of difficulty
A good attempt of 9-10 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile in CAT 2020 DILR section
CAT 2020 DILR topic-wise Breakup:
CAT 2020 Slot 3 – QA Analysis
CAT 2020 Slot 3 QA Section was inline with Slot 1 in terms of difficulty level. Candidates had to attempt 26 questions (6 Non-MCQs) in 40 minutes. 3 Questions on Coordinate Geometry was a surprise in Slot 3. Elimination of Option was the ideal way to ace this section in Slot 3
A good attempt of 17-19 questions with an accuracy of 90% was ideal for 99+ percentile in CAT 2020 QA section
CAT 2020 QA topic-wise Breakup:
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