Does IAF releases the official answer key?

IAF releases the model question papers and answer keys. They are not the original answer keys. Candidates can calculate scores using AFCAT answer key based on the number of correct and incorrect responses. IAF does normalisation of marks to calculate the scores of candidates as the exam is conducted in multiple shifts. AFCAT answer key contains the correct answers to the questions asked in the exam. Using the answer key, candidates can compare their responses marked in the exam.

What is the difference between official and unofficial AFCAT answer key?

AFCAT official answer key is released by the examination authority. However, the unofficial answer keys are released by the coaching institutes. Candidates can use the unofficial answer keys till the time the official answer keys are not released.

What is AFCAT merit list?

AFCAT merit list is prepared based on the performance in the online test and AFSB Interview. Separate qualifying marks are decided for the online test and AFSB interview. Candidates are placed in the order of merit on the basis of their total marks secured in both the stages of exams. Allotment of candidates in Permanent Commission/Short Service Commission in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) and Flying Branches are done based on the number of vacancies, performance in the selection process, and choices given by candidates.

Is 175 considered a good score for AFCAT exam?

The minimum good score for AFCAT exam 165-175. Candidates need to secure the required score inorder to qualify the exam. Candidates qualifying the online exam are called for AFSB Interview. Candidates need to practice well inorder to qualify the exam.

What is the significance of scoring above the cutoff in AFCAT?

Candidates securing AFCAT cut off are called for the next round of selection process. The final selection of candidates is done based on the online test and AFSB interview. The total marks allotted to the online test are 300.

Why is it important to get a good score in AFCAT exam?

Getting good marks in AFCAT increases chances of qualifying for the AFSB interview. The scores enhances your position in the merit list. It also motivated candidates to perform much better. This also helps in identifying the strengths.

Why AFCAT marks are calculated using the normalisation process?

AFCAT result is prepared using the normalisation process. This is done to adjust the difficulty level of the question papers. The exam is conducted in multiple shifts. Total marks allotted to the exam are 300.

What is AFCAT marking scheme?

AFCAT marking scheme is prescribed by the examination authority. The marking scheme shows how many marks are deducted for wrong answers. This also shows how many marks are given for correct answers.

When will AFCAT scorecard be released? What details to check in the scorecard?

AFCAT scorecard is released along with the result. To download the scorecard, candidates need to enter user ID, password and captcha code. Three marks are given to candidates for right answer. One mark is deducted for wrong answers.

Will I receive the hard copy of AFCAT scorecard?

AFCAT scorecard can be downloaded. The hard copy of the scorecard is not sent to candidates by post. To download the scorecard, candidates need to enter the required credentials. It displays the scores secured by candidates in the exam. The hard copy of the scorecard is not sent by post.

How to check AFCAT cut off?

AFCAT cut off is announced online along with the result. The cut off is released on the official website of IAF. Candidates securing equal to or more than the cut off marks are called for AFSB interview. The final selection of candidates is done based on the marks obtained in the online test and AFSB interview. The steps to check AFCAT cut off are given below: Visit the official website of IAF Click on the AFCAT scorecard link on the home page Candidates need to enter the required details to login After logging, candidates can check the cut off marks Based on the cut off marks, candidates are selected for the next round of selection process.

I have forgotten the password while checking AFCAT result. What to do?

To retrieve the password while checking AFCAT result, candidates need to click the ' Forgot Password' tab. The system will ask candidates for some details to retrieve the password. After entering the details, the verification link will be sent to the candidate's registered email ID. After verification, the password will be reset. AFCAT result is valid till the merit list of that particular course is out. Once candidates get eliminated in any of the stages of recruitment. They need to take the test again and apply for a new course.

I am not satisfied with AFCAT result. How to raise complaint?

There is no such facility to raise a complaint against the AFCAT result. The result once announced is considered final and no queries will be entertained by the examination authority. Candidates can file an RTI if they have any queries related to the result. AFCAT result for the online test is prepared out of 300 marks. Candidates clearing the online test are called for AFSB interview. The final merit list is prepared based on the performance in the online test and AFSB interview.

Why is it important to get a good score in AFCAT exam?

Getting good marks in AFCAT increases chances of qualifying for the AFSB interview. The scores enhances your position in the merit list. It also motivated candidates to perform much better. This also helps in identifying the strengths.

Can I check AFCAT result offline?

AFCAT result will be announced online only. There is no facility to check the result offline. The link to check AFCAT result will be made available on the official website of IAF. Candidates can download their results by logging with the required credentials. Candidates qualifying the online test of AFCAT are called for AFSB interview. Normalisation process is followed to calculate the scores.

Does AFCAT has sectional cutoff?

Yes, there is sectional cut-off marks in the exam. Candidates need to secure the overall cut-off marks to get selected for AFSB Interview. Candidates securing equal to or more than the cut off marks are selected for the subsequent rounds of the selection process. Around 10,000 candidates are selected for the AFSB test based on their performance in the online test. The final selection is done based on the performance in the AFCAT and AFSB interview.

Will I be eligible for the AFSB interview if I did not clear the EKT cutoff in the exam but cleared the AFCAT cutoff?

Yes, you will be eligible for the AFSB interview only if you have selected other Non-Technical branches such as administration, flying, etc. However, you will not be considered for the Technical Branch. If you have applied for Technical branch then you need to clear both the cutoffs for EKT and AFCAT. The selection is done based on the performance in AFCAT and EKT exams. EKT is conducted for the candidates who apply for the Technical branch. EKT cut off is calculated out of 150 marks. AFCAT cut off is calculated out off 300 marks. It is mandatory to secure the cut off marks in the exam inorder to get shortlisted. There are sectional as well as overall cut off marks.

What is the AFCAT cut off?

AFCAT cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure inorder to qualify the exam. AFCAT 1 cut off 2023 was 155 out of 300. In 2022, AFCAT 1 cut off was 157 whereas it was 18 for EKT. In the same year, AFCAT 2 cut off was 157. In 2021, AFCAT 1 cut off was 165 whereas EKT cut off was 30. In 2021, AFCAT 2 cut off was 157 whereas EKT cut off was 18. In 2019, AFCAT 1 cut off was 133 whereas it was 50 for EKT. In 2020, AFCAT 2 cut off was 155 whereas EKT cut off was 40. AFCAT cut off is announced online on the official website. AFCAT cut off is common for all the categories. Candidates securing equal to or more than the cut off marks are called for the next round of selection process.

What is AFCAT Exam Pattern?

AFCAT exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the exam such as number of sections, weightage of topics, time duration, total marks, marking scheme, etc. AFCAT exam is divided into online test and AFSB interview. Besides AFCAT candidates who applies for the technical branch are required to appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). AFCAT test comprises different sections such as General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English . Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. EKT carries questions from Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics. AFCAT carries a total of 100 questions whereas, EKT carries 50 questions. The total marks allotted to AFCAT are 300 whereas, EKT carries 150 marks. The duration of AFCAT exam is two hours whereas EKT is held for 45 minutes. Both AFCAT and EKT is held in online mode and the language of the question paper is English.

How many papers are there in the AFCAT exam?

There are only four papers in the AFCAT exam-General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. AFCAT technical syllabus comprises topics from Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics. Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Drawing & Physics are some of the common topics which are covered in AFCAT EKT syllabus. The standard of Numerical Ability questions is of Matriculation level. The standard of questions in other subjects is of graduation level (Indian University). The exam paper is in English only. The test paper carries a total of 100 questions whereas EKT carries a total of 50 questions. All the questions asked in the exam are objective-type. Total marks allotted to the AFCAT test are 300 whereas EKT carries a total of 150 marks.

What is the stipend offered to AFCAT officers during training?

The stipend offered to men and women cadets during the entire duration of training at any of the Air Force Training Institutions is INR 56,100 per month (Starting pay in Level 10). On successful completion of the training, the AFCAT salary of candidates in the pay matrix of Commissioned Officers will be fixed in the first cell of Level 10.

AFCAT Result 2026: Steps to Download Scorecard Here

534 Students Q&A

Updated on Dec 17, 2025 16:06 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

AFCAT Result 2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to announce AFCAT 1 2026 result in February. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on January 31. The direct link to check the AFCAT result 2026 will be provided on this page. To download the result, candidates need to enter user ID, password, and captcha code. Along with the result, the AFCAT cut off will also released. Based on the result of AFCAT, candidates are selected for AFSB Interview.

AFCAT exam is conducted to select Class-I Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical). Candidates are granted Short Service Commission in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission/Short Service Commission in Ground Duties for both Technical and Non-Technical roles.

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