AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026: Indian Air Force prescribes AFCAT exam pattern along with the notification. It highlights the overall structure of the exam. Candidates must be thorough with the AFCAT exam pattern 2026. The exam is divided into online test and AFSB Interview. Total marks allotted to AFCAT exam are 300. There are four sections in the test. Three marks are given for right answers. There are also negative marks in the exam. Based on the online test, candidates are selected for AFSB interview. Besides, must also check the syllabus to know the subjects. Read below for more details on the AFCAT exam pattern.
- AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
- AFCAT Exam Pattern: Normalisation Process
- AFSB SSB Exam Pattern
- AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
The structure of AFCAT exam pattern is given below.
| Subject | Exam Duration | No of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 02 hours | 100 | 300 |
| Verbal Ability in English | |||
| Numerical Ability | |||
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test |
AFCAT Exam Pattern: Normalisation Process
The formula for normalisation is given below.
AFCAT Normalisation Process
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AFCAT Exam Time
The online test of AFCAT is conducted for two hours. AFCAT exam timings are given below:
| 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 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 | 9.45 am to 11.45 am | 2.15 pm to 4.15 pm |
AFCAT Marking Scheme
The marking scheme of the AFCAT exam is given below:
- For correct answers, candidates score three marks. The score of candidates is calculated after deducting AFCAT negative marking
- There is AFCAT negative marking. One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer
- No marks are allotted to unattempted questions
AFSB SSB Exam Pattern
Candidates qualifying the online test of AFCAT are called for AFSB interview. The AFSB interview is conducted in three stages at different centres-Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar and Mysuru. At AFSB, candidates need to undergo the following tests inorder to ascertain their suitability and gauge your potential as an Officer in the Indian Air Force.
Stage-I
Officer Intelligence Rating Test, along with Picture Perception and discussion test, is conducted on the first day. Stage-I test is a screening test and only those who qualify are called for subsequent testing. All Stage-I qualified candidates are subjected to document check to ascertain their eligibility for the branches applied for. Candidates who either do not qualify in Stage-I or do not meet the required eligibility criteria are sent back on the first day itself.
Stage-II
All Stage 1 qualified candidates need to undergo tests as part of their Stage 2 testing during four to five days. Fifth day is for CPSS testing (Flying branch). The following tests are conducted in Stage 2:
- Psychological Tests are written tests that are conducted by a Psychologist
- Group Tests are interactive indoor and outdoor activities which are a combination of mental and physical work
- Interview involves a personal conversation with an Interviewing Officer
- Candidates who have applied for flying branch and have been recommended, will also have to undergo Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test
For Flying branch
Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) will be administered to recommended candidates only. This is once in a lifetime test. Candidates who failed the CPSS/ PABT in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy are not eligible.
Medical Test
Candidates recommended by the Selection Board, are sent for the medical examination either at Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bengaluru.
Expert Tips to Prepare for AFCAT ASFB Interview
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Candidates can check below AFCAT Exam Pattern FAQs to know regarding the marking scheme, normalisation of marks, number of sections, etc.
The full form of AFCAT is Air Force Common Admission Test whereas the full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. Both exams are the sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. NDA exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses. AFCAT exam is conducted to select candidates as Class 1 gazetted Officers in the flying branch and ground duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
The marking schemen comprises the marks for correct and incorrect answers. The test carries 300 marks.
Topics for the AFCAT Numerical Ability section are Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time and Distance. Candidates can prepare this section only through practice. They should also learn the shortcut tricks of solving questions.
The important topics for the AFCAT English Language section consists of the following:
Comprehension
Error
Sentence Completion
Synonyms & Antonyms
Vocabulary
Idioms and Phrases
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test is one of the important sections of AFCAT exam. This section assess a candidate's ability to think logically. This section carries maximum questions in the exam. Candidates need to prepare well for the exam.
Yes, there is a negative marking in AFCAT exam. For each wrong answer, one mark is deducted.
There are no sectional timings in AFCAT exam. The duration of the test is two hours. AFCAT exam carries questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. The total marks allotted to the test are 300.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
SSC CHSL 2026 Tier 1 Application Form Apr '26 - Apr '26