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AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024 is decided by the Indian Air Force. AFCAT exam 2024 contains 100 questions, whereas the EKT exam contains 50 questions. The AFCAT exam time is 2 hours, while 45 minutes to complete the EKT. AFCAT total marks will be 300, whereas EKT will be for 150 marks.
AFCAT 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 2024 has been announced and is scheduled for Aug 9-11, 2024. Candidates can acquire details about AFCAT exam from the sections below.
| AFCAT Syllabus 2024 | AFCAT Books 2024 |
| AFCAT Preparation Tips | |
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 Exam Pattern 2024 Highlights
The following is the AFCAT Exam Paper Pattern 2024 for the online test:
- 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 2024
| 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 2024 Exam Pattern
This year, IAF has made some changes in the AFCAT Pattern 2024. 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 2024 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 2024 exam
- Candidates who applied for the Meteorology branch were required to appear for the AFCAT online exam.
Read More: AFCAT Exam Pattern and Cut off
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 in AFCAT paper.
AFCAT Subject Wise Weightage
The subjects included in the AFCAT exam pattern 2024 are General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. The AFCAT 2024 exam pattern for subjects is tabulated below.
| 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 2024 Marking Scheme
The AFCAT marks distribution for each section of the AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024 including the EKT is given below.
- For each correct answer, 3 marks will be awarded
- For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted
- Unattempted questions will not be validated
Read More: AFCAT Previous Year Question Papers
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024 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 2024.
| 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 2024 for the 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:
| 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 2024 | 9.45 am to 11.45 am | 2.15 pm to 4.15 pm |
Benefits of AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024
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 2024 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.
