AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024 | Subject Wise Pattern & Syllabus
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
AFCAT is the acronym for the Air Force Common Admission Test. The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts AFCAT to recruit group-A Gazetted personnel for flying and ground duties. IAF organizes the exam to recruit candidates for technical and non-technical positions. However, the candidates appearing for technical positions have to undergo an Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). The AFCAT exam takes place twice a year. It is usually conducted every year in February and August.
The AFCAT exam pattern 2022 (selection process) comprises three main stages. These are the written test, Air Force Selection Board Exam and fitness test. Further, the Air Force Selection Board Exam consists of 2 substages. Candidates who can clear all these three stages will be eligible for the respective position.
Highlights of AFCAT Exam Pattern 2023
The Indian Air Force has announced 283 vacancies in the AFCAT-2 2022 notification. These vacancies are for technical and non-technical ground duties and Gazetted Officers in Flying Branches. The following are the key highlights of the AFCAT exam 2022:
| Exam Name | AFCAT 2022 |
| Regulating Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| No. of Vacancies | 283 |
| Posts | Ground duties (technical & non-technical) and Gazetted Officers in Flying Branches. |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Twice a year (February & August) |
| Category | Defence |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-based) |
| No. of Questions | 100 in AFCAT & 50 in EKT |
| Medium | English |
| Selection Process | Written Test, AFSB exam and Fitness Test |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2023
The exam pattern of AFCAT depends on whether the post is technical or non-technical. Candidates appearing for non-technical positions have to clear the AFCAT exam 2022. Candidates appearing for technical positions must pass the AFCAT and EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test). The following is the exam pattern for AFCAT 2022:
| Name of Exam | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Syllabus |
| AFCAT | 100 | 300 | 120 Minutes | Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness, and Military Aptitude. |
| EKT | 50 | 150 | 45 Minutes | Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics. |
There are 3 stages in the AFCAT exam pattern. These are written exams (computer-based online tests), Air Force Selection Board and physical tests. It is to keep in mind that IAF sends call letters only to the selected candidates through the online test. The following is the overall AFCAT 2022 selection process:
Stage 1: Online AFCAT Exam
The computer-based online test is the first stage in the process. There will be two exams (AFCAT and EKT) depending on the nature of the job (technical or non-technical). The candidate appearing for a technical position must pass the Engineering Knowledge Test and AFCAT exam. The following are the key features of this computer-based online AFCAT exam (according to the AFCAT exam pattern):
- It is a computer-based online exam.
- The exam will carry objective questions.
- Only English is the medium for the exam.
- There are 3 marks for every right answer.
- There will be a 1 mark deduction for each wrong answer.
- No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
- The AFCAT exam has 100 questions, and EKT has 50 objective questions.
- The AFCAT has a 120-minute duration, and EKT has a 45-minute duration.
- Merely passing the AFCAT exam does not guarantee a job appointment.
- However, passing the exam will take you to the next stage: the Air Force Selection Board exam.
Stage 2: AFSB Test
IAF will prepare a list of shortlisted candidates who were able to pass the online AFCAT exam. The Air Force will release the cut-off list on their official website. Candidates with their names on the list will be called for the next stage, the Air Force Selection Board Test. The AFSC testing centres are Mysuru, Dehradoon, Gandhinagar and Varanasi. Shortlisted candidates have to go to these locations accordingly.
AFSB testing is a long process and takes days to complete. It has 2 substages with different kinds of tests. The following are the 2 substages under the AFSB test:
AFSB Substage-1
AFSB’s first stage test is the screening test. It tests IAF tests candidates on various aspects under this test. There are 3 further tests under this screening test.
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test.
- Picture Perception Test.
- Discussion Test.
All these three tests will be conducted on the first day of AFSB testing. Candidates who pass this test would be allowed for the subsequent tests in the AFCAT exam pattern. Yet, successful candidates will undergo a document check to verify compliance with the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for the selected branch. If they are not eligible (even if they pass these three tests), IAF will reject their candidature.
AFSB Substage-2
Once the candidates have passed the first stage of AFSB testing, they will go for the next substage. In this stage, IAF will test you on the following aspects;
- Psychological Test
- Group Task
- Personal Interview
- Computerized Pilot Selection System Test (only for flying branch candidates).
The psychological test will take place on the first day (afternoon). The rest (group task and personal interview) will happen after the document check. It will take 4-5 days. Only qualified candidates can go to the next and final stage.
Computerized Pilot Selection System Test
- This test is applicable only for flying branch/recommended candidates.
- It is a once-in-a-lifetime test. If you fail this once, you won’t get another chance.
- Candidates who failed CPSS/PABT test in an earlier attempt and cadets suspended from flying training at Air Force are not eligible for this test.
Stage 3: Medical Test
The third and last stage in the AFCAT exam pattern would be the fitness (medical) test. There are only two centres for medical examination. One is the Institute of Medical Aviation, Bengaluru, and the second is Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME). Once the candidates clear the medical examination, IAF will prepare the final merit list according to the marks scored in the written exam and AFSB tests.
Some Points to Keep in Mind While Applying to AFCAT
It’s not easy to get selected for the Indian Air Force. Apart from the prescribed tests, candidates must keep the following things in mind:
Physical Fitness:
Every candidate should be physically fit and sound. The first step is passing the medical exam, followed by physical training. Therefore, they have to be physically fit enough and fulfil the following criteria at the minimum;
Tattoos:
Permanent body tattoos on any body part (visible or non-visible) are prohibited, except on the Inner face of forearms, from inside of the elbow to the wrist of both hands and the reverse side of the palm/dorsal side of both hands. However, the candidate with such tattoos has to sign a self-declaration certificate. Tribal tattoos, as per their customs and traditions, are allowed on a case-to-case basis.
Narcotics:
Use of any narcotics, drugs and such substances is completely prohibited.
4 km running in 15 minutes.
Push-up and Sit-up (minimum 20 each).
Chin-up (minimum 8).
Rope climbing: 3-4 meters.
Swimming: 25 meters.
Skipping.
AFCAT Marking Scheme 2023
The marking scheme in EKT and AFCAT exam patterns will be the same. The AFCAT marking scheme is given below:
- Every correct answer will carry 3 marks.
- Every incorrect answer will be deducted a mark.
- No marks on unattempted questions.
Questions will be based on the metric system of Measures and weights wherever applicable.
AFCAT Mock Test 2023
Taking mock tests is an effective way to enhance any exam preparation. AFCAT is no exception. Attempting mock tests helps in identifying the weak areas to improve. It enhances time management during the actual exam and explains the AFCAT exam pattern and trend.
You can download previous year AFCAT exam papers and answers from the official website of IAF and attempt mock tests. It will help you immensely to improve your timing, outlook and overall preparation for the AFCAT exam 2022. You can also take the online mock test on IAF websites.
AFCAT Syllabus
There are 4 main subjects in the AFCAT exam syllabus. It is English, General Awareness, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning, and Miltary Aptitude. The following are the topics covered under each of the subjects:
English:
Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution, Comprehension, detecting error in Sentence, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph.
General Awareness:
Basic Science Knowledge, Science and Technology, Current Affairs (National and international), Defence, History, Geography, Sports, National and international Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity and Economy.
Numerical Ability:
Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Clocks, Decimal Fraction, Time & Work, Average/Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest.
Logical Reasoning & Military Aptitude: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Questions from the numerical ability section will be matriculation level. It is class 10th level in the context of India. Questions from all other sections will be graduation level (as per the Indian universities), as prescribed in the AFCAT exam pattern.
Suggested Read: AFCAT Salary 2023 | Job Profile, Pay scale, Allowances & Other Benefits
Chapter-Wise Weightage of Each Subject under AFCAT Syllabus
AFCAT syllabus and exam pattern comprise 4 main subjects. It is English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude. Further, each of these subjects has several topics that come with a different number of questions and weightage. The following is the chapter-wise weightage according to the AFCAT paper pattern:
English
The following is the chapter-wise weightage for English:
| Topics | Number of Questions | Marks distribution |
| Error Spotting | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 5-6 | 15-18 |
| Active & Passive and Narration | 0-2 | 0-6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3-5 | 9-15 |
| Cloze Test | 3-5 | 9-15 |
| Synonyms or Antonyms | 6 | 18 |
| Phrase or Idiom Meaning | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| One Word Substitution | 2-3 | 6-9 |
Mathematics
The following is the chapter-wise weightage for Mathematics in the AFCAT exam pattern:
| Chapter | Number of questions | Marks distribution |
| Algebra | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| Average | 1-2 | 3-6 |
| Elementary Statistics | – | – |
| Geometry | – | – |
| Interest | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| Mensuration | – | – |
| Mixture Problem | 1 | 3 |
| Number System | 1-2 | 3-6 |
| Percentage | 1-2 | 3-6 |
| Profit and Loss | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| Ratio and Proportion | 1-2 | 3-6 |
| Simplification | 1-2 | 3-6 |
| Speed Time and Distance | 3-4 | 9-12 |
| Time and Work | 2-3 | 6-9 |
| Tabulation | – | – |
| Bar Graph | – | – |
General Awareness
The following is the chapter-wise weightage for General Awareness:
| Topic | Number of questions | Marks distribution |
| Physics | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 |
| Chemistry | 1 – 2 | – |
| Biology | 1 – 2 | – |
| Environment | 1 – 2 | – |
| Science Invention and Technology | 1 | 3 |
| Current Affairs | 5 – 6 | 15 – 18 |
| History | – | – |
| Defence | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 |
| Famous places and People | 4 – 5 | 12 – 15 |
| Awards and Honours | 2 | 6 |
| Fairs and Festivals | – | – |
| Art & Culture | – | – |
| Polity | 1 – 2 | – |
| Geography | 4 – 5 | – |
| Economy | – | – |
| Books and Authors | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 |
| Sports | 4 – 5 | 12 – 15 |
| Summits and Conferences | 1 | 3 |
Reasoning
The following is the chapter-wise weightage for Reasoning in the AFCAT exam pattern:
| Chapter | Number of questions | Marks distribution |
| Classification | 8 – 9 | 24 – 27 |
| Alphabet or Word Test | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 |
| Analogy | 4 – 5 | 12 – 15 |
| Series | 5 – 6 | 15 – 18 |
| Coding-Decoding | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 |
| Venn diagram | 4 – 5 | 12 – 15 |
| Syllogism | – | – |
| Missing number | – | – |
| Ordering and ranking | – | – |
| Puzzle | 1 | 3 |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | 9 – 10 | 27 – 30 |
NOTE:- All the information in this article is sourced from the official notification of AFCAT-2 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
There are four papers in the AFCAT exam pattern. It is English, Logical Reasoning and Military Aptitude, General Awareness and Numerical Ability. The Numerical section will be matriculation level (class 10th in the context of India), and the rest sections will be graduation level (Indian university).
157 were the cut-off marks in AFCAT-1 2022 exam. Therefore, we can assume 160 to 190 marks as a good score out of 300. The final merit list is based on the marks scored in the AFCAT exam, so you should try to score as high as possible.
Ans. The AFCAT interview is moderately difficult. Therefore, you should prepare for it thoroughly. You will need to improve your communication skills. It is the foremost factor. Also, you will need to work on your reasoning ability, leadership skills, and current affairs and improve your knowledge in defence, especially in the Air Force.
Yes, 1 month is enough for the AFCAT exam preparation. It will be somewhat easier for candidates who had Mathematics at 10+2 level. However, any candidate from any background can prepare for the AFCAT exam within 1 month if they put in the right strategy because the AFCAT exam pattern isn’t very tough.
Whether NDA is better or AFCAT is subject to your goal. You will need to understand the differences and similarities between these two exams to get it better. UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the NDA exam to recruit candidates for the armed forces; army, navy and air force. However, NDA recruits only flying branch officers for IAF. AFCAT recruits the flying staff as well as ground staff. NDA covers all the armed forces. The AFCAT exam pattern is specific to the Indian Air Force.