AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024: Written Test, Marking Scheme, EKT

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024: Written Test, Marking Scheme, EKT

ByNaveen Singh  |  Updated on: Sep 25, 2023
Check out the AFCAT exam pattern 2024 for the upcoming exam here. Get detailed information about subject wise AFCAT exam pattern for technical & non-technical papers, interview, marking scheme, etc.

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024 will officially be released by the Indian Air force on 1st December 2023 to help students understand the structure of the exam. Understanding the paper pattern enables the students to realize which topics to prioritize more. As it is only conducted twice a year to recruit candidates into flying, ground, and technical branches of IAF, preparing for the exam can be competitive. Being familiar with the AFCAT exam pattern can help you score better in the exam.

As per the AFCAT paper pattern, candidates are required to solve 100 or 150 questions (depending on whether they are trying for a technical or non-technical branch) in a span of 2 hours. To know the detailed subject wise AFCAT exam pattern, marking scheme, and more, refer to the information provided below.

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024

AFCAT Exam Pattern for both Paper 1 & Paper 2 is similar in terms of exam mode, type of questions, and marking scheme. As per your selection, you will have to appear for a written test, and an interview to get selected. Given below are the details about the AFCAT exam pattern 2024:

  • AFCAT Exam is an online test, conducted in two shifts in English and Hindi.
  • It will consist of 100 objective questions to be solved within a duration of 120 minutes.
  • The maximum mark an aspirant can score in the AFCAT exam is 300.
  • Only those who pass the written test will be allowed to appear for the interview.

To get a better overview of the AFCAT paper pattern, including the mode of the exam, sections, and more, you can refer to the table given below.

AFCAT Exam Pattern Overview

Details

Mode of Exam

Online

Total Marks

300

Time Duration

2 Hours

No of Questions

100

Sections in paper

General Awareness, Reasoning, and military aptitude test, Verbal ability in English, and Numerical ability

AFCAT Exam Pattern for Technical Branch

Candidates applying for the technical branch posts in the IAF must have a certain knowledge of the AFCAT exam pattern. Those who are interested in the technical branches of the Indian Air Force can check out the details of the AFCAT exam pattern in the table below:

AFCAT Exam Pattern for Technical Branch

Section

Questions

Marks

Time

Reasoning and military aptitude test

35

105

2 Hours

Verbal ability in English

30

90

Numerical ability

15

45

General awareness

20

60

Mechanics/ 

Computer science/ Electrical and electronics

50

150

45 min 

AFCAT Exam Pattern for Non-Technical Branch

Candidates who are applying for the ground, and non-technical branches should know about the AFCAT paper pattern. The AFCAT exam pattern will help you get an idea of the subjects you are required to prepare for. You can check out the details about the marks weightage, subjects, and duration of the non-technical AFCAT exam pattern in the given table.

AFCAT Exam Pattern for Non-Technical Branch

Section

Questions

Marks

Time

Reasoning and military aptitude test

35

105

2 Hours

Verbal ability in English

30

90

Numerical ability

15

45

General awareness

20

60

AFCAT EKT Exam Pattern

As per the AFCAT exam pattern, candidates applying for the technical branch of the IAF are required to additionally prepare for the EKT exam. It requires an additional study of technical subjects such as computer science, mechanics, and electronics. Get an overview of the AFCAT exam pattern by referring to the information provided below:

  • EKT or Engineering Knowledge Test is meant to test a candidate’s engineering knowledge.
  • The test is compulsory for candidates applying for the Technical Ground Duty branch.
  • EKT 2024 is an online test to be conducted in two shifts.

By understanding the AFCAT exam pattern for EKT, you will be able to prepare for the test accordingly. Find the information about the structure of the exam given below:

AFCAT Exam Pattern for EKT

Mode of Exam

Online

Maximum marks

150

Time

45 Minutes

No of Questions

50

Sections in paper

Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics

AFCAT Exam Pattern for SSB

According to the AFCAT exam pattern, candidates who pass the written test are shortlisted for further rounds of recruitment. These shortlisted candidates receive their interview letters by mail. The second stage of the selection for posts within the IAF is the SSB Interview, which is divided into two stages. To know all the details about the AFCAT exam pattern of the SSB interview, read the given information:

  • Stage 1: Intelligence Test, Picture Perception and Discussion.
  • Stage 2: Psychological test, Group discussion, AFSB Interview, Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test.

AFCAT Marking Scheme

Apart from knowing the AFCAT exam pattern, candidates who are appearing for the upcoming exam should be familiar with the marking scheme. It will help them answer more mindfully and avoid errors in case of negative marking. This year, there have been no changes in the AFCAT marking scheme. Find more information about the AFCAT exam pattern given below:

  • The candidate will be awarded three marks for every correct answer.
  • One mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
  • No marks will be provided for unattempted questions.

Benefits of AFCAT Exam Pattern

There are many reasons why you should be familiar with the AFCAT exam pattern if you are appearing for it. Find out below how mastering the AFCAT exam pattern will help you ace the exam:

  • By knowing the AFCAT paper pattern, you will understand what topics are important from an exam point of view.
  • You can strategize your studies accordingly, giving more time to subjects that have more weightage.
  • You can divide your time as required while attempting AFCAT Mock Tests.

Also, check:

FAQs on AFCAT Exam Pattern

  • According to the AFCAT exam pattern 2024, all shortlisted candidates will have to appear for 2.5 hours written test. The candidates who pass the test will be called to appear for the SSB interview, and subsequently for a detailed medical examination.

  • The AFCAT exam pattern for Flying Branch is General Awareness, Reasoning & Military Aptitude, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Mechanics/Computer Science/Electrical and Electronics. The candidates get 45 more mins to complete the technical section of the paper.

  • As per the official AFCAT paper pattern, the written test is objective type, i.e., MCQ based. Candidates will be required to choose the correct answer out of four given options for every question. The total number of questions for the technical branch is 150 and for the non-technical branch is 100.

  • The AFCAT Ground duty is divided into two parts: Technical and Non-Technical. As per the AFCAT exam pattern for ground duty technical, candidates will have to complete the written test in 2 hours and 45 mins. The AFCAT paper pattern for ground duty non-technical includes answering the given questions in a 2-hour time span.

  • Yes, there is negative marking in the exam and thus, candidates must answer the questions carefully. According to the AFCAT exam pattern 2024, one mark is deducted for every wrong answer and three marks are awarded for every right answer.

  • As per the AFCAT exam pattern, the candidates who are applying for AFCAT Ground Duty Technical Exam have to answer 150 Questions and those who are interested in Ground Duty Non-Technical Duty Exam will face 100 Questions.

  • SSB interview is conducted only for candidates who have successfully passed the written test. AFCAT paper pattern for SSB states that every candidate is required to:

    • Appear for the Intelligence Test, Picture Perception and Discussion in Stage 1.
    • Appear for Psychological test, Group discussion, AFSB Interview, and Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test in Stage 2.
  • As per the AFCAT exam pattern, a candidate will be awarded three marks for every correct answer. According to the AFCAT marking scheme, no mark will be awarded for unanswered questions, and one mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

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