IAF AFCAT Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2024 in Detail - Marking Scheme

Candidates need to understand the AFCAT exam syllabus thoroughly before they start with the AFCAT exam preparation. The idea of the syllabus will help the IAF aspirants know which best books of AFCAT will help them in the AFCAT preparations. The exam language is English and takes place on an online platform. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes (2 hours). AFCAT exam takes place twice a year during February and August/September month. Candidates must be aware of the sections and the topics included in the syllabus of AFCAT exam. AFCAT Previous year papers will do wonders during the preparation. AFCAT syllabus will help the IAF aspirants who are willing to take the exam to know about the marking scheme, important topics, and question weightage. Indian Air Force conducts Air Force Common Admission Test to recruit candidates into different AFCAT branches: Flying, Technical and Ground Duty. For the latest AFCAT syllabus, we have curated the syllabus and pattern below for the candidates to consider. If candidates want to know how to apply for the AFCAT exam? then they can click on the link provided.
 

 IAF conducts two online exams :

AFCAT

Flying and Ground Duty Branch (Non - Technical) 

EKT

Ground Duty (Technical Branch)

Each question carries three marks in both exams despite a different number of questions. AFCAT exam consists of 100 questions containing a maximum of 300 marks. EKT exam consists of 50 questions containing a maximum of 150 marks.

IAF AFCAT Syllabus and Pattern 2024

The syllabus helps in the preparation of the exam. It is crucial to know the AFCAT syllabus in-depth so that you can divide your work according to the days left. AFCAT syllabus includes the following topics : 

AFCAT English Syllabus

  • Comprehension
  • Detecting Errors in Sentences
  • Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct words
  • Synonym/ Antonym
  • Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Analogy
  • Sentence Rearranging
  • Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution

AFCAT General Awareness Syllabus

  • History
  • Geography
  • Sports
  • National & International Organisations
  • Art & Culture, Personalities
  • Environment & Ecology
  • Indian Polity
  • Economy
  • Basic Science-based Knowledge
  • Science & Technology
  • Current Affairs (National & International)
  • Defence

AFCAT Numeric Ability Syllabus

  • Decimal Fraction
  • Time and Work
  • Average/ Percentage
  • Profit & Loss
  • Ratio & Proportion
  • Simple and Compound Interest
  • Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams)
  • Area and Perimeter
  • Probability
  • Number System & Number Series
  • Mixture & Allegation Rules
  • Clocks

AFCAT Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test Syllabus

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning

AFCAT Written Exam Pattern 2024

  • AFCAT 2024 is an online test, conducted in two shifts in the English language.
  • It will consist of 100 objective questions to be solved within a duration of 120 minutes.
  • The maximum mark an aspirant can score in AFCAT 2024 is 300 marks.
Section Total No. of Questions Total Marks Time Duration
General Awareness 20 60

 

2 hours
Verbal Ability in English 30 90
Numerical Ability 15 45
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test 35 105
 
 
 

IAF AFCAT Pattern and Selection Process 2024

The AFCAT exam pattern includes three stages: Written Test, AFSB interview and Medical Test.

Written Test 

The written exam is the first criteria for clearing the first stage of the AFCAT exam 2023. The EKT exam is conducted on the same day  to check the engineering knowledge of technical candidates. Candidates applying for the technical branch have to give both the exams. 

AFSB Interview (SSB Interview)

The Airforce Selection Board interview is the next step towards your goal. 

Medical Test

Medical and physical tests are the last stages for the selection in AFCAT. The air force aspirants should fulfill the medical and physical test to join in AFCAT. 
 

 
 
 

EKT Syllabus and Pattern 2024

EKT stands for Engineering Knowledge Test that aims to test the knowledge of engineering graduates applying for technical entry through AFCAT. In the EKT exam, 45 minutes are given to candidates to solve 50 questions. EKT exam is out of 150 marks. The exam includes questions from Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical, and Electronics. The EKT syllabus is as follows :

EKT Syllabus for Candidates applying for mechanical engineering-
Fundamental Engineering 
1. Engineering Physics 
2. Engineering Mathematics
3. Engineering Drawing/ Engineering Graphics


Specialized Branch Topic 
1. Fluid Mechanics/Hydraulic Machines
2. Engineering Mechanics
3. Materials Science
4. Thermodynamics
5. Manufacturing Science
6. Machine Drawing


Allied Engineering Topics 
1. Aerodynamics
2. Flight Mechanics
3. Aircraft Structures
4. Power Plant Engineering.
5. Industrial Engineering
6. Automotive Engineering


Candidates applying for Computer Science
Fundamental Engineering 
1. Engineering Mathematics
2. Engineering Physics 
3. Engineering Drawing


Specialized Branch Topic
1. Information Technology
2. Network Theory Design
3. Analog and Digital Electronics
4. Computer Networks
5. Switching Theory
6. Electronic Devices


Allied Engineering Topics 
1. Control Engineering
2. Telecommunication Systems
3. Electrical Engineering
4. Radar Theory
5. Instrumentation
6. Antenna and Wave Propagation
7. Microwave Engineering


Candidates applying for Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Fundamental Engineering 
1. Engineering Drawing
2. Engineering Mathematics
3. Engineering Physics


Specialized Branch Topic
1. Microwave Engineering
2. Electrical Engineering
3. Control Engineering
4. Electronic Devices
5. Microwave Engineering
6. Analog and Digital Electronics
7. Telecommunication Systems


Allied Engineering Topics 
1. Radar Theory
2. Instrumentation
3. Information Technology
4. Computer Networks
5. Switching Theory
6. Network Theory Design

EKT Exam Pattern 2024

  • 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, conducted in two shifts in the English language.
Particulars EKT Exam Pattern (Only for Technical)
Mode of Exam Online i.e. computer-based
No. of Questions 50 Questions
Maximum Marks 150 Marks
Duration of Exam 45 minutes
Sections in Paper Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics
Negative Marking -1 mark
 
 
 

IAF AFCAT Marking Scheme 2024

The AFCAT marking scheme is the same as it was before. There have not been any changes in marking scheme of the IAF AFCAT exam 2024. 

  • The exam is out of 300 marks consisting of 100 questions.
  • There will be three marks allotted for every correct answer.
  • There will be AFCAT negative marking by one mark for every wrong answer. 
  • No marks are deducted if any question is left unattempted.

FAQ's

What are the subjects in the AFCAT exam 2024?

Candidates need to understand the AFCAT exam syllabus thoroughly before they start with the AFCAT exam preparation. AFCAT syllabus includes the following topics: General Awareness,  English, Numerical Ability Test, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. For EKT syllabus the subjects are : Mechanical Engineering - Fundamental Engineering, Specialized Branch Topic, Allied Engineering. Computer Science  - Specialized Branch Topic, Allied Engineering Topics. Electrical and Electronics Engineering - Fundamental Engineering, Specialized Branch Topic, Allied Engineering Topics. For detailed AFCAT syllabus candidates can click on the link. 
 

Is the AFCAT exam difficult to crack?

It depends on the preparations of the candidates and their seriousness towards the AFCAT exam. As compared to other competitive exams, AFCAT is not as hard as we think. There are few preparation tips that can do wonders if candidates follow them sincerely. 

  • Candidates must refer to the official syllabus and pattern and prepare accordingly.
  • Practice more and more mock tests and previous question papers to speed up your practice and improve time management.
  • It is necessary to clear the basics of any topic you lag.
  • Go through previous year's question papers as they will give you an idea about the difficulty level of the exam and the types of questions asked.
  • Refer to different AFCAT study material
  • Frame a shortcut to revise your topics before the AFCAT exam.
What are the cut off marks for AFCAT 1 2024? 

AFCAT cut off marks are out together with the AFCAT results. AFCAT 1 exam will be conducted on February 2024.The AFCAT exam is out of 300 marks and EKT exam is out of 150. The results of AFCAT are expected together with AFCAT cut off in September. The ex
pected cut off marks for AFCAT are - 
For AFCAT 1 exam cut off was 165 and for EKT exam cut off was 30.

Is Maths subject compulsory for the AFCAT exam?

Maths is not compulsory if you are a graduate in any subject. But candidates must have had maths subject in class 12th if they are willing to take the AFCAT exam. Maths is compulsory for Technical and Flying branch in AFCAT.