CAT 2020 Live Updates: ‘Slot 3 is most difficult of all slots’; Exam concludes without any glitches

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Updated on November 30, 2020
CAT 2020 is history now! Slot 3 of the exam was successfully completed at 6.30 PM on November 29. 1.80 lakh students took CAT 2020 at 430 test centres in 159 cities. While Slot 3 of CAT 2020 Exam was on same pattern as that of Slot 2 and Slot 1, the difficulty level was much higher accordingly to experts. Read this MBAUniverse.com Update for complete analysis of Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3.
CAT 2020 Live Updates

11.30 AM, November 30, 2020

With CAT 2020 over glitch free on November 29 at 430 test venues in 159 cities, CAT test takers are now looking for their likely percentile and chances to get the call from top IIMs. Thousands of test takers have so far visited the MBAUniverse.com percentile predictor which is giving nearest CAT percentile result with simple inputs. IIMs are likely to release the CAT 2020 answer key by December 3, 2020 which will also help the test takers to calculate their percentile 

10.00 PM, November 29, 2020

Slot-3 Analysis by IMS for MBAUniverse.com
IMS Learning has rated CAT 2020 as more difficult than CAT 2019 and more like CAT 2018. Slot-3 of CAT 2020 was found most difficult among the three slots. Despite Pandemic and the related SOPs notwithstanding the conduct of the test in three slots was smooth and without glitches.  

Below are the slotwise likely CAT 2020 cut offs for 99 percentile by IMS

Slot
Total Score needed for 99 Percentile
Slot-1
104
Slot-2
105
Slot-3
110

8.30 PM, November 29, 2020

Slot 3 Analysis by Career Launcher for MBAUniverse.com
Arks Srinivas, National Head MBA Prep (India & Abroad), Career Launcher, shared an analysis of Slot 3 of CAT 2020 exam at a Live Sessions on MBAUniverse.com at 7.15 PM today. Here are key highlights:

Slot 3 was the toughest Slot
According to Arks, overall difficulty level of Slot 3 was significantly higher than Slot 2 and 1. This is clear from the table below:

Slots
Total Marks for getting 99%
Slot 1
105
Slot 2
100
Slot 3
95

Arks share following predictions for getting 99% in Slot 3

Section
Slot 3 - CAT 2020 99%
Verbal & RC
38-40 Marks
DILR Verbal & RC
24-25 Marks
Quant
38-40 Marks
Overall
95-97 Marks

7.00 PM, November 29, 2020

Key highlights of CAT 2020 Slot 3 Exam:

  • Total Duration: 120 Mins
  • Total Number of Questions: 76
  • Non MCQs: 22
  • Number of Question in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 26 
  • Number of Question in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 24
  • Number of Question in Quantitative Ability (QA): 26
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Paper was lengthy but with moderate difficulty.
  • Nature of questions was similar to earlier slots 

5.00 PM, November 29, 2020

CAT Slot 1 & 2 Analysis by CAT Mentor & Author Arun Sharma for MBAUniverse.com

Arun Sharma, Author of Bestselling CAT Prep Books & Founder, Mindworkzz, shared an analysis of Slot 1 & 2 of CAT 2020 exam at a Live Sessions on MBAUniverse.com at 3.45 PM today. Here are key highlights:

  • Overall Analysis: This year’s paper is slightly tougher than last year’s.
  • Difficulty Level: Overall difficulty level of Slot 2 was higher than Slot 1. This will make Normalization Process very important. Read more about CAT score Normalization Process.
  • Verbal Section: This year, RC passages has been much lengthier. In last few years, a Para was for ~500 words. This year, it is 700-800 words, which are 40-50% more! This changes the dynamics of test taking.
  • DILR Section: Similar to last year.
  • Quantitative Ability: This section was easier in Slot 1 and is tougher in Slot 2.
  • Marks Vs Percentile: Check table below.

Arun Sharma shares following predictions for getting 97-99% in CAT 2020 Slot 1 & Slot 2

Section
Slot 1 – CAT 2020 99%
Slot 2 – CAT 2020 99%
Verbal & RC
35-45 Marks
35-45 Marks
DILR Verbal & RC
33-38 Marks
28-33 Marks
Quant
38-45 Marks
38-45 Marks
Overall
100 Marks
95 Marks

4.15 PM, November 29, 2020

Slot 2 Analysis by Career Launcher for MBAUniverse.com

Arks Srinivas, National Head MBA Prep (India & Abroad), Career Launcher, shared an analysis of Slot 2 of CAT 2020 exam at a Live Sessions on MBAUniverse.com at 3.15 PM today. Here are key highlights:

  • Overall difficulty level of Slot 2 was higher than Slot 1
  • Verbal section for Slot 2 was similar to Slot 1
  • DILR section was slightly tougher
  • Quantitative Ability section paper for Slot 1 was significantly tougher than Slot 2
  • So, while 105-110 Marks were needed to score 99% in Slot 1, only 95-100 Marks are needed in Slot 2 for 99%

Arks share following predictions for getting 99% in Slot 2

Section
Slot 2 - CAT 2020 99%
Verbal & RC
40-42 Marks
DILR Verbal & RC
27-30 Marks
Quant
40-42 Marks
Overall
95-100 Marks

The final CAT Slot 3 exam paper has started at 4.30 PM with about 85,000 students. Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for highlights of Slot 3 paper.

Slot 2 of CAT 2020 exam was held successfully from 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM today on Nov 29, 2020 observing all COVID 19 precautions.  The Slot-2 of CAT 2020 has remained on same pattern as that of Slot-1 with 76 questions divided into MCQs and Non MCQs. According to CAT experts from IMS and Career Launcher, difficulty level in slot-2 has remained similar to Slot-1. IIM Indore conducted CAT 2020 slot-2 at 430 test centres in 159 cities.

Read this MBAUniverse.com report on CAT 2020 Exam Analysis with likely cut off, first information about important changes in exam pattern, number & type of questions, difficulty level overall and section-wise.

2.30 Noon, November 29, 2020

CAT 2020 Slot 2 ExamKey highlights

  • Total Duration: 120 Mins
  • Total Number of Questions: 76
  • Non MCQs: 22
  • Number of Question in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 26 
  • Number of Question in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 24
  • Number of Question in Quantitative Ability (QA): 26
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Paper was lengthy but with moderate difficulty.
  • Nature of questions was similar to slot-1.

CAT 2020 Slot-2: Major Changes in Exam Pattern  
CAT 2020 Slot-2 had following changes in exam pattern

  • CAT 2020 Exam had 76 Questions as against 100 questions earlier
  • Difficulty level in CAT 2020 was similar to Slot-1 CAT exam
  • CAT 2020 Exam duration was changed to 2 hours from earlier 3 hours
  • 40 Minutes were allotted to attempt each section instead of earlier 60 minutes
  • MCQs had 1/3 negative marking and Non-MCQs do not carry penalty of negative marking
  • 4 answer options for each MCQ type question
  • Answer had to be typed in the given space on computer screen for Non-MCQ.
  • Score awarded for each correct answer: + 3 marks
  • Negative marking (Applicable for wrong answers in MCQs): - 1 mark

1.00 Noon, November 29, 2020

COVID 19 Precautions & Exam Process & Test Interface

  • The test’s administrative process was smooth despite the pandemic induced need for masks, gloves and social distance.
  • Gloves were allowed to be removed during test
  • Mask had to be put on for entire test duration
  • No-shoes, no metallic objects including metal jewelry was allowed. Only the admit card and the ID proof were allowed.
  • Candidates were given a writing pad with 32 pages for rough work and a pen. This was taken away at the end of the exam.                             
  • The test interface was user friendly and same the official CAT Mock Test.
  • There were no sub-divisions within each section. The Comprehension and VA questions were NOT interspersed within the section. Similarly the DI and LR sets were also NOT interspersed
  • A simple calculator was provided, and not a scientific one.
  • At the end of the test, a summary of the number of questions attempted, visited, and not visited was displayed for each section.
  • There was a button marked ‘Question Paper’ that opened up a screen containing all the questions of the section. This was used by students for planning their approach for the section.

12.00 Noon, November 29, 2020

First Analysis by IMS Coaching for MBAUniverse.com

Hemang Panchmatia, Program Director, PG-India, IMS Learningshared this first analysis at a Live Sessions on MBAUniverse.com at 11.30 AM today.

Overall
CAT 2020 Slot 1 is a slightly more difficult paper that CAT 2019.

Verbal & RC

  • Total 26 Questions
  • Slightly more difficult – similar to CAT 2019
  • 4 RC Passages making time management became very important
  • 8 VA Questions
    • No Grammar, No Vocab!
    • 3 Parajumble Questions
    • 2 Odd man out
    • 3 Summary Questions

DILR Verbal & RC

  • Total 24 Questions
  • Equal or slightly more difficult than CAT 2019
  • 5 Sets of questions makes it difficult
  • Element of section is key

Quant

  • Total 26 Questions
  • A lot of easy questions
  • Arithmetic 10 Qs, Algebra & Log Question made this section easier
  • Positive Surprise

IMS Learning CAT 2020 Cut off Predictions based on Slot 1 Exam
Hemang shared following predictions for getting 99%.

 

CAT 2020 - 99%

Overall Marks

105-110 Marks

Message for Slot 3 test takers

  • Take Mocks mentally
  • Easy quant, so plan accordingly
  • Don’t change too much at this last minute

11.30 AM, November 29, 2020

First Analysis by Career Launcher for MBAUniverse.com

Mr Arks Srinivas, National Head MBA Prep (India & Abroad), Career Launcher, shared this first analysis at a Live Sessions on MBAUniverse.com at 11.15 AM today.

Overall, CAT 2020 was a more difficult paper that CAT 2019.

Verbal & RC

  • Total 26 Questions, lengthy paper with 4 RC Passages
  • Not straight forward questions, Inference based questions

DILR Verbal & RC

  • Total 24 Questions
  • 5 Sets of questions makes it difficult
  • 1 set on Set Theory was difficult
  • 1 Set was easy
  • 12-14 Qs is a good attempt
  • Tougher than CAT 2019 Paper

Quant

  • A lot of easy questions like CAT 2017
  • Arithmetic, Algebra & Log Question made this section easier

Career Launched CAT 2020 Cut off Predictions based on Slot 1 Exam
Arks share following predictions for getting 99%.

Section

CAT 2020 99%

Verbal & RC

40-42 Marks

DILR Verbal & RC

30-32 Marks

Quant

47-50 Marks

Overall

105-110 Marks

10.45 AM, November 29, 2020

CAT 2020 Exam Analysis for Slot 1

CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis 2020 by MBAUniverse.com is the first CAT analysis released immediately after the CAT exam. This year CAT exam has gone with multiple changes and the CAT 2020 slot wise analysis from MBAUniverse.com consists of changes in exam pattern, difficulty level, expected cut offs, good attempts etc.

Key highlights of CAT 2020 Slot 1 Exam Analysis:

  • Total Duration: 120 Mins
  • Total Number of Questions: 76
  • Non MCQs: 22
  • Number of Question in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 26 
  • Number of Question in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 24
  • Number of Question in Quantitative Ability (QA): 26
  • Overall Difficulty Level: Paper was lengthy but with moderate difficulty

CAT 2020: Major Changes in Exam Pattern  
CAT 2020 Centre has substantially changed the CAT 2020 exam pattern

  • CAT 2020 Exam had 76 Questions as against 100 questions earlier
  • Difficulty level in CAT 2020 was higher than CAT 2019 exam
  • CAT 2020 Exam duration was changed to 2 hours from earlier 3 hours
  • 40 Minutes were allotted to attempt each section instead of earlier 60 minutes

CAT 2020 Slot 1 Question Paper Pattern & Changes

The CAT 2020 question paper of 2 hours duration with key changes had the following pattern and sectional composition. CAT exam sectional order from Section-1 to Section-3, number and type of questions in each section, questions with and without negative marking and total maximum marks available for each section are as below:

Section as per CAT exam Pattern
Total questions
Total MCQs (With negative marking)
Total Non-MCQs (Without negative marking)
Highlights
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
26
18
8
4 RC Passages with 18 Qs – All MCQs
 
All Non MCQs divided into Para jumbles, Para Summary, and Out of Context Sentences
Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
24
18
6
LR – 14 Ques
DI – 10 Ques
All in Sets of 6 & 4 Qs
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA)
26
18
8
High on Arithmetic. Other on Log, Geometry, Roots, Algebra
Total
 
 
 
 

Source: MBAUniverse.com analysis

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more live updates on CAT 2020 exam from India’s Top Cat experts.