AFCAT Exam

AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. This test is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year for selection of officers in Flying Branch, Technical Branch and Ground Duty Branch. AFCAT exam is generally scheduled in the month of February and August of every year. IAF publishes AFCAT notification in month of December and June respectively.

How to Prepare for AFCAT Exam

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted in two phases. In phase one written test is carried out and in second phase Screening Test and Interview is carried out. Both the phases are described below to help all aspirants to sure success in upcoming AFCAT Exam.

AFCAT exam pattern

The Air Force Common Admission Test written paper consists of 100 questions and each question carries three marks. These questions are of multiple-choice type. In AFCAT questions are asked from General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Verbal Ability in English, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. The total time duration for completion of AFCAT paper is only 2 hours. As far as negative marking is concerned, there is one-third negative marking in AFCAT exam. Mostly the cut off mark for AFCAT Exam is 125–145 but it may vary depending upon the difficulty of the paper.

How to Prepare for AFCAT Written Exam

When students are going to appear for AFCAT examination, following points to be kept in mind to pass AFCAT exam with good score.

• To know the complete syllabus is the first step of AFCAT preparation.
• Through study of every part of the syllabus is necessary as questions can come from any part of the syllabus.
• Take reference from AFCAT previous question papers, as they will give you an idea of the exam pattern and few questions do repeat.
• Maintain the time limit while solving questions, as speed is the key to do well in AFCAT exam.
• Find out the weak area where you need to concentrate more.
• Prepare notes on subjects that seem difficult and revise them regularly.
• For General Awareness, individuals to follow current events and news in magazines and newspapers and DD news in TV regular basis.
• For English, increase your English verbal ability and vocabulary.
• For Numerical Ability and Reasoning, answer the questions which you are sure about. Don't waste more time in one question.
• In the exam hall, fill up your roll no and all required data carefully. Start answering all the known questions with confidence. After completing, try tougher ones.

Interview and Screening Test

After declaration of AFCAT written exam result, successful candidates enter into next phase (interviews and aptitude tests). This is the most important part of the AFCAT exam. It is conducted by AFSB (Air Force Selection Board). There are various segments in the AFSB interview takes 5 to 6 days to complete. Candidates are assessed in various stages. The following stages which are part of SSB interview are given below.

• Screening Test: This is the first stage which includes Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT), and Officer's Intelligence Test.
• Psychological Tests: Various kinds of tests are carried out to check the amount of pressure a candidate can take successfully.
• Group Tasks: Various kinds of tasks are assigned to different groups. It is continued in two days. In this stage it is observed how individuals perform for group betterment.
• Interview with the President of the Board or a senior member
• Conference - the final result

Complete Syllabus for AFCAT Preparation

When aspirants fill up the form for AFCAT Exam, the first and foremost important thing is to go through complete syllabus of AFCAT exam. AFCAT exam syllabus outlines are shared for all aspirants to prepare for exam.

• General Awareness: Sports, History, Geography, Culture, Environment, Current Affairs, Civics, Politics, Basic Sciences, Art and Defense.
• Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Synonyms, Error Detection, Antonyms and Sentence Completion, Testing of Vocabulary etc.
• Numerical Ability: Simplification, Decimal Fraction, Average, Percentage, Simple Interest, Profit & Loss and Ratio & Proportion.
• Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test section: Spatial Ability and Verbal Skills.

AFCAT Preparation Online

Online mode of practice boosts the aspirant's confidence and improves his level of preparation. Now huge number of practice sets are available online with little payment or for free. The candidate can prepare for AFCAT by solving the sample papers in the online mode. This is one of the best ways to prepare for AFCAT exam. After practicing few sets of AFCAT, individuals will come to know their week areas. In my point of view, it is best option in present scenario competition.

Those who applied for technical branch will have to appear for Engineering knowledge Test (EKT), which is a separate paper and technical questions are asked in this (Very basic knowledge in the respective branch of engineering needed).

AFCAT Preparation Offline

Coaching is the most important offline source for AFCAT Preparation. Apart from self – preparation, the AFCAT Preparation can be done by taking the coaching for the same. This helps the candidate to clear their doubts. Also, the candidate will come to know the shortcuts to solve the tough problems.

Any mode of preparation you choose, your effort is very essential as the competition is very high. Regular dedicated practice is required for passing AFCAT exam with flying colors.

AFCAT Preparation Books Free Download for Reference

Following books are strongly recommended for AFCAT preparation.

How to Prepare For AFCAT by Chandresh Agrawal

A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal, S. Chand Publishers

AFCAT Air Force Common Admission Test for Flying and Technical Branch by Arihant Experts

Hope these AFCAT exam preparation tips will help all defence aspirants to score well in the AFCAT exam. All the best for the upcoming AFCAT exam.