Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial
AFCAT Preparation Tips 2025: Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT exam in order to select candidates for admission to the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. A large number of candidates apply for AFCAT exam, therefore, candidates need to follow a good preparation strategy to crack the exam. AFCAT syllabus is of graduation level. The level of Maths syllabus is of high school level. Candidates should be thorough with the syllabus. Besides the syllabus, candidates must check the AFCAT exam pattern before beginning with the preparation. Candidates must focus on revising the important topics for AFCAT exam rather than wasting time on revising the less important topics. Candidates must clear the concepts given in the syllabus by referring to the AFCAT books. Read below for more details on AFCAT preparation tips 2025.
Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT in 2 months?
Quant is the most scoring section and very basic questions are asked. With just practice, candidates will be able to score good marks. Questions are asked from Profit and loss, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance, Percentage, Simplification, Average, Mixtures, SI and CI, etc. For English, candidates must practice RCs, Vocab and Idioms. Candidates must solve five question papers as this will help them to know their strengths and weaknesses in the given subjects or topics. Candidates need to work on their weaknesses. Candidates must revise everything in the last 30 to 31 days leading to the exam. Also focus on taking the mock tests.
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Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT in 6 months?
Six months are more than enough to prepare for AFCAT exam. Candidates must start from clearing the basic concepts of every topics. Maths can be tough, therefore, candidates must understand the basic concepts. They should note down the important theorems and formulas. In English, candidates need to focus on improving their vocabularly. Candidates must prepare current affairs of six months from the date of exam. They should also prepare basic Science, Geography, Defence Terms, etc. Logical Reasoning questions will be of non-verbal type. So, candidates must solve previous years' question papers. Candidates must also attempt mock tests.
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT General Awareness section?
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT in 3 months?
With just three months left for the exam, take mock test on the first day of preparation. This will give candidates an idea how much effort they need to put in to propel towards the ideal score. Set a week-wise target to complete the syllabus. Buy a good book and learn from it. The mock-taking exercise should be followed up with an in-depth mock analysis. Candidates must also solve previous years' question papers.
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AFCAT Preparation Tips 2025
AFCAT exam is conducted to select Class A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The competition for AFCAT is high, candidates who are planning to appear for the exam should start the preparation as soon as possible. Candidates need to be well prepared for all the rounds in order to get selected. Candidates should prepare a proper strategy to ace AFCAT exam. Candidates should refer to the previous years' question papers and practice mock tests. Besides, they should check the exam pattern and syllabus to know about the exam structure and important topics. Candidates are advised to practice more and more questions to score well in the exam.Â
To begin with, be clear with the pattern, subjects, and paper. According to the AFCAT exam pattern, the test comprises questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. The duration of the test is two hours. AFCAT question paper carries a total of 100 questions. The maximum marks allotted to the test are 100. Candidates can check below the preparation tips of AFCAT.
Revision
Revise properly all the topics given in the syllabus. From each of the topics in General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test jot down all the important formulas, topics, and shortcut tricks. Formulas are the basis of calculations and can help you solve many questions. Concentrate on what you know and what you have learned and ace those topics.
Practice Managing Time
Candidates need to have a strategy to complete all the questions in the available time. This becomes easier if they practice time management using the AFCAT mock test.Â
Plan What to do in the Exam Hall
Prepare exam day strategy and practice accordingly from now on. Screen the paper and mark the questions as 1, 2, and 3. These marks denote one attempt in the first go, a second attempt in the second go, and third attempt in the last.
Analyse the Trend
Analyze previous years’ question papers and find out the topics from which most numbers of questions are asked. Note the topics that are on high priority and focus on them. During the last days of preparation, do not learn new topics.Â
Relax
Take a break in between studies. Give your mind and body some time to relax, especially one day before the exam. Do not study or revise anything on the last day to keep yourself fresh for the exam.
Section-Wise AFCAT Preparation Tips by Experts
How to Prepare for AFCAT English Language?
The English section basically covers questions from Antonyms and Synonyms, English Grammar, Idioms and phrases and Comprehension. AFCAT preparation tips for English are given below:
- Practice at least two passages daily to improve comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and phrases
- Practice 20 questions on antonyms and synonyms, misspelt words, idioms and phrases dailyÂ
- Refer to the basic grammar books to understand the fundamentals
How to Prepare for AFCAT Numerical Ability?
In this section, candidates will get questions from Decimals, Fractions, Profit & Loss, Average, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Speed, Time & Distance, etc. AFCAT preparation tips for Numerical Ability is given below:
- Candidates should write down formulae in one place so that it becomes easier for revision
- Work on the topics that have more weightage
- Practice everyday and remember the concepts
How to Prepare for AFCAT General Awareness?
The tips and tricks to crack AFCAT preparation tips for General Awareness are given below:
- For General Awareness, candidates must follow the latest news, sports and events
- Read newspapers daily to stay updated with the latest events
How to Prepare for AFCAT exam by Experts?
How to Prepare for AFCAT General Intelligence and Reasoning?
The Reasoning & Military Aptitude section carries questions from Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Questions from Verbal Reasoning are asked from Analogy, Classification, Coding-Decoding, Logical Venn Diagrams, Puzzle Tests, Direction Sense Test. Questions from Non-Verbal Reasoning are asked from Series, Analogy, Classification, Completion of incomplete pattern, Hidden figures, Papercutting and folding, Dot situations. AFCAT preparation tips 2023 for Reasoning & Military Aptitude are given below:
- Understand the fundamental concepts of reasoning
- Practice at least 15-20 questions daily
- Be consistent with practice
How to Prepare for AFCAT EKT?
EKT exam is conducted for the technical branch. The syllabus for EKT comprises questions from Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Drawing & Physics. Candidates for EKT should brush up the basics of their engineering subjects. Cover the topics given in the syllabus and study regularly.Â
Q: Â What are the best ways to prepare for the AFCAT?
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT English section?
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT Quantitative Aptitude section?
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare AFCAT Reasoning section?
Upvote Best Books for AFCAT Exam
Candidates can refer to the following books for the AFCAT exam. These AFCAT books help candidates to understand the concepts of the topics given in the syllabus.
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| AFCAT for Flying, Technical & Ground Duty Branch with Solved Papers (English, Paperback ) |
Arihant Experts |
| AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) |
Arihant Experts |
| AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) Self Study Guide-cum-Practice Work Book |
Kiran Prakashan |
| AFCAT Solved Papers and Practice Sets |
Arihant Experts |
| SSB Interview: The Complete Guide |
NK Natarajan |
| Manorama Yearbook |
Philip Mathew |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
RS Aggarwal |
| AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) Exam Guide: For Flying and Technical Branch (Popular Master Guide) |
R Gupta |
Q: Â How to choose the best books for AFCAT preparation?
Upvote Q: Â Which are the best books for AFCAT English section?
Upvote Q: Â How the best books for AFCAT exam helps in preparation?
Upvote Q: Â Which are the best books for AFCAT Reasoning section?
Upvote How to Prepare for AFCAT AFSB Interview?
The tips and tricks to prepare for AFCAT AFSB interview are given below:
- The first and foremost thing for AFCAT AFSB interview preparation is knowing about the different ranks, missiles, commanders, and aircraft of the Air Force
- To prepare for the OIR, candidates have to brush up on their math skills and practice solving problems quickly
- For Picture Perfection Test, candidates must familarise themselves with the types of pictures they will be shown
- Candidates must practice identifying objects in pictures
- Stay calm and focused during the test
- Candidates must read the newspapers daily to stay updated with the latest events
- Candidates need to improve their communication skill for AFSB interview
Candidates can check below Interview Tips for AFCAT AFSB by expert.
Also Read: AFCAT Last Minute Preparation Tips
Q: Â Is AFCAT exam easy to crack?
Upvote Q: Â How to prepare for AFCAT AFSB interview?
Upvote Q: Â Do marks scored in AFCAT matter in AFSB and after that?
Upvote Q: Â What are the important topics for Numerical Ability in AFCAT exam?
Upvote AFCAT Exam Pattern
AFCAT exam pattern is divided into four sections-General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Abity and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. The test paper carries a total of 100 questions. The duration of the test is two hours. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. The structure of the 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 |
The marking scheme is given below:
- For correct answers, candidates score three marks
- One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer
Q: Â What is AFCAT Exam Pattern?
Upvote Q: Â What is the difference between AFCAT and EKT?
Upvote Q: Â What is AFCAT marking scheme?
Upvote Q: Â What is the benefit of solving AFCAT Question Papers?
Upvote AFCAT Syllabus
AFCAT syllabus highlights the topics and sub-topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. AFCAT syllabus for different subjects is given below.
English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases, Synonyms
General Knowledge: History, Civics, Geography, Politics, Art, Culture, Sports, Defence, Basic Science, Environment, Current Affairs
Reasoning and Military Aptitude: Spatial Ability, Verbal Ability, Simple Interest Time and Distance, Ratio and Proportion, etc.
Numerical Ability: Time and Work, Decimal Fraction, Profit and Loss, Percentage, etc.
Q: Â What is the syllabus of AFCAT?
Upvote Q: Â Which are the important topics for AFCAT exam?
To ace AFCAT exam, it is mandatory to know the important topics covered in AFCAT syllabus. Knowing important topics will help candidates to strategise their preparation and score maximum marks. Some of the important topics in AFCAT syllabus are given below:
- English: Spotting Errors, Fill in the blanks, One-word substitution, Sentence completion, Synonyms and Antonyms, etc.
- Mathematics: Percentage, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Boats and Streams, Time and Work, Average, Interest, etc.
- Reasoning: Odd one out, Venn Diagram, Analogy, Blood relations, missing figures, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, etc.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Current Affairs, Art and Culture, Sports, Important days and events, etc.
Upvote Q: Â What is AFCAT syllabus for ground duty branch?
Upvote Q: Â What is AFCAT Mechanical Syllabus?
AFCAT syllabus for Mechanical Engineering is given below.
- Fundamental Engineering syllabus: Engineering Physics, Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Drawing/ Engineering Graphics.
- Specialised Branch topics: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics/Hydraulic Machines, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing Science, Machine Drawing.
- Allied Engineering Topics: Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics, Aircraft Structures, Power Plant Engineering., Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering
Upvote AFCAT Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below AFCAT preparation tips 2025 FAQs.
Q: Â What is the syllabus of AFCAT?
Upvote 
News & Updates
Get prep tips, practice papers, exam details and important updates
AFCAT Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Scoring above the cut off is esstential as it qualifies you for the next stage of the selection process, which is the AFSB interview. However, merely clearing the cutoff does not guarantee selection; a higher score can improve your chances of advancing in the merit list.
B
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
AFCAT score is a crucial initial screening criterion. Alongside the AFCAT score, factors like performance in the AFSB interview, medical fitness, educational qualifications, and available vacancies determine your final position in the merit list.
I
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
Achieving a good score in AFCAT is important because it increases your chances of qualifying for the AFSB interview. The scores enhances your position in the merit list. This improves the likelihood of selection. This boosts your confidence for subsequent selection stages.
C
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
To be eligible for the AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test), you need to meet specific academic criteria based on the branch you are applying for:
For Flying Branch:
- You must have scored at least 50% marks each in Mathematics and Physics in 10+2.
- You should also have a bachelor's degree (minimum 3 y
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can calculate the probable scores using the AFCAT answer key in the following way:
- For correct answers, candidates score three marks
- One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer
- No marks are allotted to unattempted questions
R
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can choose the best books for AFCAT exam in the following way:
- Check the publishing year of the AFCAT books. Students must select the latest edition of books.
- Choose books that are easy to read.
- Select AFCAT books that are written in a simple language where students can understand the concep
B
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 4 weeks ago
The minimum visual acuity required for the AFCAT exam is 6/9 each eye which can be corrected to 6/6 in each eye if the usual acuity below6/ 6 classic must be worn the corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the letter I and 6/18 in the worse side
K
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
AFCAT 1 2024 vacancy break-up is given below.
| Entry Type | Post Code | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AFCAT | Flying | 28 | 10 | 38 |
AFCAT Ground Duty Technical | AE (L) | 104 | 11 | 125 |
AE (M) | 45 | 05 | 50 | |
AFCAT Ground Duty Non Technical | Admin | 44 | 06 | 50 |
LGS | 11 | 02 | 13 | |
Accounts | 11 | 02 | 13 | |
Ground Duty Non Technical | Education | 08 | 02 | 10 |
Ground Duty Non Technical | Weapon Systems WS Branch | 15 | 02 | 17 |
Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | 09 | 02 | 11 |
NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats  out  of  AFCAT vacancies for SSC. | ||
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
AFCAT 2 2024 vacancy break-up is given below.
| Entry Type | Post Code | Male | Female | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFCAT | Flying | 18 | 12 | |||||
AFCAT Ground Duty Technical | AE (L) | 88 | 23 | |||||
AE (M) | 36 | 09 | ||||||
AFCAT Ground Duty Non Technical | Admin | 43 | 03 | |||||
LGS | 13 | 14 | ||||||
Accounts | 10 | 11 | ||||||
Ground Duty Non Technical | Education | 07 | 02 | |||||
Ground Duty Non Technical | Weapon Systems WS Branch | 14 | 02 | |||||
Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | 08 | 02 | |||||
NCC Special Entry | Flying |
| ||||||
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
AFCAT 1 vacancy break-up is given below:
| Entry Type | Post Code | Male | Female | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFCAT | Flying | 21 | 9 | |||||
AFCAT Ground Duty Technical | AE (L) | 95 | 27 | |||||
AE (M) | 53 | 14 | ||||||
AFCAT Ground Duty Non Technical | Admin | 42 | 11 | |||||
LGS | 13 | 3 | ||||||
Accounts | 11 | 2 | ||||||
Ground Duty Non Technical | Education | 07 | 02 | |||||
Ground Duty Non Technical | Weapon Systems WS Branch | 14 | 03 | |||||
Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | 07 | 02 | |||||
NCC Special Entry | Flying |
| ||||||
A
Contributor-Level 10
What is the significance of scoring above the cutoff in AFCAT?