AFCAT | Exam Pattern | AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024: Marking Scheme, Sections, and Time Duration

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force to select officers for various branches. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation.

AFCAT Exam Pattern Information

Exam Name :
AFCAT
Language :
English
Level :
Beginner



The AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) exam pattern is designed to assess the overall aptitude and skills of candidates applying for different branches of the Indian Air Force.

Indian Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) Written Examination Structure:-

Indian Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) online entrance test will be of two hours duration and will contain multiple choice questions on

Verbal Ability in English
General Awareness
Numerical Ability
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) Test will be in English only.

Total No. of Questions - 100

Maximum marks - 300

Each Question is of three marks.

Duration of the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) : 2 hours

Marking Scheme in AFCAT Exam is as follows :-
(a) Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer
(b) One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer
(c) No marks for unattempted questions

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) Mock Test : An online Indian Air Force (IAF) Mock Test (AFCAT) will be made available to only candidates who have registered successfully, for practice on the IAF website 

https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in 

Candidates who are short-listed on the basis of Indian Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) will be called for further testing at one of the Air Force Selection Board (AFSBs) at Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar or Varanasi

The testing would consist of three stages as given below:  
(a) Stage-I: Test consisting of Intelligence Test along with other tests will be conducted on the first day. Stage-I test is a screening test and only those who qualify would undergo subsequent testing 

All Stage-I qualified candidates would be subjected to document check to ascertain their eligibility for the branches applied for. Those candidates who either do not qualify in State-I testing or do not meet the required eligibility criteria would be sent back on the first day itself

(b) Stage-II: Testing consisting of Psychological test, Group Test and Interview will be conducted on subsequent days (Five Days)

(c) For Flying Branch: Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) would be administered to eligible candidates

Change of Interview Dates: Request for change of SSB interview date should be avoided. However, as an exception, such change may be considered based on the circumstances of the case. Request for such change should be forwarded to the respective AFSB from where the call letter for SSB Interview has been received and not to Air Headquarters/AFCAT Cell. The AFSBs may consider change of date at the their discretion

Medical Examination will be conducted at AFCME, New Delhi or IAM Bengaluru based on the recommendations at AFSB

Candidates recommended by the AFSBs and declared medically fit will be detailed for training in the order of all India Merit list depending the number of vacancies available in various branches/sub branches. Grant of PC/SSC in Technical and Ground Duty Branches would be based on number of vacancies, performance in the selection process and the choice given by the candidate/Airmen

No compensation will be paid in respect of any injury sustained during the testing at AFSB 
10% of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing certificate holders in Technical and Ground Duty Branches  

For more Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) information visit  

www.careerairforce.nic.in

FAQS Related to AFCAT Exam Pattern : 

Q1: What is the structure of the AFCAT written exam?
A1: The AFCAT written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) totaling 300 marks, with a duration of 2 hours (120 minutes).

Q2: What sections are included in the AFCAT exam?
A2: The AFCAT exam includes four sections:

  1. General Awareness
  2. Verbal Ability in English
  3. Numerical Ability
  4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test

Q3: What is the marking scheme for the AFCAT exam?
A3: Each correct answer is awarded 3 marks. For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted (negative marking). Unattempted questions receive 0 marks.

Q4: Is there negative marking in the AFCAT exam?
A4: Yes, there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.

Q5: What topics are covered under General Awareness?
A5: The General Awareness section covers History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art and Culture, and Sports.

Q6: How can I prepare for the General Awareness section?
A6: Stay updated with current events by reading newspapers, following news websites, and using current affairs magazines and apps. Study basic concepts in history, geography, science, and other related topics.

Q7: What does the Verbal Ability in English section test?
A7: This section tests comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary, grammar, idioms and phrases, and sentence rearrangement.

Q8: How can I improve my verbal ability for the AFCAT exam?
A8: Improve your verbal ability by reading books, newspapers, and articles in English. Practice grammar exercises, enhance your vocabulary using apps and flashcards, and take mock tests.

Q9: What are the key topics in the Numerical Ability section?
A9: Key topics include Decimal Fraction, Simplification, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Mixtures and Alligations, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Arithmetic.

Q10: What resources can I use to practice Numerical Ability?
A10: Use standard mathematics textbooks for competitive exams, online practice platforms, and previous years' AFCAT question papers.

Q11: What is included in the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test section?
A11: This section includes Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability, covering analogies, coding-decoding, series, blood relations, direction sense, logical Venn diagrams, syllogism, puzzles, pattern recognition, shape identification, and visual reasoning.

Q12: How can I improve my reasoning skills for the AFCAT exam?
A12: Practice regularly with reasoning books, online tests, puzzles, and logical reasoning games to enhance your skills.

Q13: Who needs to take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT)?
A13: Candidates applying for the Technical Branch need to take the EKT.

Q14: What is the structure of the EKT?
A14: The EKT consists of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) totaling 150 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes.

Q15: What subjects are covered in the EKT?
A15: The EKT covers subjects specific to engineering disciplines:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering

Q16: Are there any recommended books for EKT preparation?
A16: Candidates should refer to standard engineering textbooks and materials specific to their engineering discipline, as well as previous years' EKT papers.

Q17: How can I manage my time effectively during the AFCAT exam?
A17: Practice with timed mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Develop a strategy to attempt easier questions first and leave tougher questions for later.

Q18: Is there any specific strategy to attempt the AFCAT exam?
A18: Yes, focus on your strengths first and attempt those questions you are confident about. Manage your time effectively, and ensure you leave enough time to review your answers.

Q19: How important is revision for the AFCAT exam?
A19: Revision is crucial. Regularly revising topics helps retain information and improve confidence. Use notes, flashcards, and summary sheets for effective revision.

Q20: Where can I find more information and updates about the AFCAT exam?
A20: More information and updates can be found on the official Indian Air Force recruitment website and in the official AFCAT notification.


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