AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025: Check Subject-Wise Exam Pattern

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Shubhangini Priyadarshi
Shubhangini Priyadarshi

Updated on - Jan 22, 2025

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025 is decided by the Indian Air Force. The AFCAT exam contains 100 questions, whereas the EKT exam contains 50 questions. The AFCAT exam time is 2 hours, while 45 minutes is given to complete the EKT. AFCAT total marks will be 300, whereas EKT will be for 150 marks.

AFCAT 2025 exam pattern includes General Awareness, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test, Verbal Ability in English, and Numerical Ability sections. The exam is given in English. The main AFCAT exam and the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) will be conducted online as computer-based tests. The EKT is only taken by candidates who are opting for technical posts of Ground Staff.

The AFCAT Exam Date 2025 has been announced and is scheduled for Feb 22-23, 2025. Candidates can acquire details about the AFCAT exam from the sections below.

Q. What is AFCAT Exam?

Ans. AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. It is conducted to select candidates to work as operators of fighter planes in combat, transport ammunition and material, and other tasks. 

AFCAT Test Pattern Highlights

The following is the AFCAT Exam Paper Pattern 2025 for the online test. However, along with the test pattern, the candidates must have a complete understanding of the AFCAT Syllabus 2025 to not miss out on any of the sections.

  • The online AFCAT test is divided into four components.
  • The AFCAT question paper contains a total of 100 questions.
  • AFCAT is worth a maximum of 300 points.
  • All questions on the AFCAT and EKT exams are objective, with multiple-choice answers.
  • The examination paper is only available in English.
  • To qualify for the exam, candidates must obtain the minimum qualifying marks.

The following table shows the highlights of AFCAT paper pattern 2025

AFCAT Exam Details
Particulars Details
Exam Centre 60 Cities across India
Mode Online i.e. Computer-based Test
Question Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ's)
No. of Questions

AFCAT Exam: 100

EKT: 50

AFCAT Marking Scheme

+3 Marks for Correct Answers

AFCAT Negative Marking: 01

Total Marks

AFCAT: 300

EKT: 150

Exam Duration

AFCAT Exam Duration: 2 Hours, i.e., 120 Minutes

EKT: 45 Minutes

Medium English

Changes in AFCAT Exam Pattern

This year, IAF has made some changes in the AFCAT Pattern 2025. Having a thorough understanding of the AFCAT details will help the candidates grasp the paper pattern easily. Candidates can check below the changes made in the exam pattern.

  • IAF had removed EKT from the AFCAT 1 2025 exam. Earlier, EKT was conducted for the Technical branch candidates
  • No vacancy was announced for the Permanent Commission
  • One new branch (Weapon System) was included in the AFCAT 1 2025 exam
  • Candidates who applied for the Meteorology branch were required to appear for the AFCAT online exam.

How Many Papers Are in AFCAT?

According to the AFCAT Exam Pattern, there are four papers in AFCAT. The AFCAT subjects are- General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. The AFCAT exam lasts 150 minutes or two hours. Candidates must obtain 140 to 190 points out of 300 on the AFCAT exam. Candidates must be very sure while answering as there is a negative marking on the AFCAT paper.

Also Check: AFCAT Online Coaching

AFCAT Subject Wise Weightage 

The subjects included in the AFCAT exam pattern 2025 are General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. The AFCAT 2025 exam pattern for subjects is tabulated below.

AFCAT Question Paper Pattern
Subjects Number of Questions Maximum Marks Time Duration
General Awareness 20 60 2 Hours
Verbal Ability 20 60
Quantitative Ability  20 60
Logical Reasoning 20 60
Military Aptitude Test 20 60
Total 100 300
EKT Test (For Technical Ground Duty only) 50 150 45 Minutes

AFCAT 2025 Marking Scheme

The AFCAT marks distribution for each section of the AFCAT Exam 2025 including the EKT is given below. Candidates are advised to follow the AFCAT preparation tips 2025 to cover the entire syllabus in accordance to the exam pattern.

  • For each correct answer, 3 marks will be awarded
  • For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted
  • Unattempted questions will not be validated

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025 for EKT

The EKT examination lasts 45 minutes. The exam includes questions from Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. There are 50 questions on the EKT paper. The maximum number of marks available for the EKT exam is 150.

The following is the framework of the EKT exam pattern 2025.

Exam Pattern EKT
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 Question Pattern for Technical Branch

The following is the structure of the AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025 for the Technical branch.

AFCAT 2025 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

AFCAT Exam Pattern for SSB

Candidates who pass the written examination are shortlisted for additional stages of recruitment, according to the AFCAT exam structure. These shortlisted candidates will receive their interview invitations in the mail. The SSB Interview, broken into two stages, is the second selection stage for positions within the IAF.

Read the following information to learn everything you need to know about the AFCAT exam pattern for the SSB interview:

  • Stage 1 consists of an intelligence test, a picture perception test, and a discussion.
  • Stage 2 consists of a psychological test, a group discussion, an AFSB interview, and a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test.

AFCAT Exam Time Duration

The AFCAT online examination lasts two hours. The EKT lasts 45 minutes. The following are the AFCAT exam times:

AFCAT Time Duration
Activity  Shift 1 Shift 2
Reporting time 7.30 am 12.30 pm
Verification of admit card & ID Proof, Biometrics, Photo/ Thumb Impression/ Sign on Attendance Sheet & candidate seating in the exam hall  7.30 am to 9.30 am  12.30 am to 2 pm 
Reading of instructions by candidates 9.30 am to 9.45 am  2 pm to 2.15 pm
AFCAT exam timing 2025 9.45 am to 11.45 am  2.15 pm to 4.15 pm 

Benefits of Knowing the AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025

Students should be familiar with the AFCAT exam format for numerous reasons if they intend to take it. Candidates must learn to master the AFCAT exam pattern 2025 to help themselves ace the exam:

  • Knowing the exam pattern of AFCAT will help students realize what topics are vital for the exam.
  • Students can plan their studies accordingly, devoting more time to important subjects.
  • While taking AFCAT Mock Tests, candidates can divide their time as needed.

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