AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Subject-Wise Marks Distribution and Duration

The AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 plays a crucial role in helping aspirants plan their preparation strategically. The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice every year by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for recruiting officers in Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. To perform well, every candidate must clearly understand the AFCAT paper pattern, marking scheme, number of questions, duration, and overall exam structure.

This post provides the detailed AFCAT 1 2026 exam pattern, section-wise marks distribution, topic weightage, and marking rules based on the latest official guidelines. Whether you’re preparing for AFCAT 1 or AFCAT 2 2026, this guide will help you know exactly what to expect in the exam.

Overview of AFCAT 2026 Examination

The AFCAT exam tests candidates in four main areas — English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude. It’s a computer-based test (CBT) followed by an AFSB Interview and medical evaluation. The written exam is common for all branches, but engineering candidates for the Technical branch also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
Conducting Body	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Exam Mode	Online Computer-Based Test
Language of Paper	English Only
Total Questions	100
Total Marks	300
Exam Duration	2 Hours (120 Minutes)
Type of Questions	Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Negative Marking	1 mark for each incorrect answer

Detailed AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026

The AFCAT exam consists of 100 questions carrying 3 marks each. Each wrong answer results in a penalty of 1 mark. The questions are designed to test analytical, reasoning, and general aptitude skills. The table below gives a section-wise distribution:

Section	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks
English (Verbal Ability)	30	90
General Awareness	25	75
Numerical Ability	20	60
Reasoning and Military Aptitude	25	75
Total	100	300

Total Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
Question Type: Multiple Choice (One correct answer)
Marking Scheme: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer, 0 for unattempted questions.

Section-Wise Detailed Analysis of AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026

1. English (Verbal Ability)

This section evaluates the candidate’s grasp of English grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary. It carries 30 questions worth 90 marks.

Reading Comprehension
Synonyms and Antonyms
One Word Substitution
Error Detection
Sentence Completion
Idioms and Phrases
Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary-based)

Tip: Read an English newspaper daily and practice grammar exercises to improve accuracy and vocabulary.

2. General Awareness

General Awareness checks your overall knowledge of current events, history, geography, polity, and science. This section has 25 questions for 75 marks.

History and Indian Freedom Movement
Geography (India and World)
Indian Polity and Economy
Sports, Awards, and Defence Exercises
Current Affairs (National & International)
Science and Technology
Environment and Ecology

Tip: Focus on the last six months’ current affairs and defense-related updates.

3. Numerical Ability

This section tests your basic mathematical ability. It consists of 20 questions for a total of 60 marks. The difficulty level is up to Class 10 mathematics.

Decimals and Fractions
Ratio and Proportion
Percentage
Average
Profit and Loss
Time, Speed, and Distance
Simple and Compound Interest
Area and Volume
Probability and Mixtures

Tip: Maintain a formula notebook for daily revision and practice 20 questions per day from arithmetic topics.

4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude

Reasoning and Military Aptitude test your logical thinking, analytical ability, and situational awareness. It carries 25 questions (75 marks).

Series (Number and Alphabet)
Coding-Decoding
Blood Relations
Venn Diagrams
Pattern Recognition
Mirror and Water Images
Spatial Reasoning
Figure Classification

Tip: Practice at least two reasoning puzzles daily to improve speed and accuracy.

Marking Scheme in AFCAT 2026

The marking system of AFCAT is straightforward. Understanding it helps candidates plan safe attempts during the exam.

Response Type	Marks Awarded
Correct Answer	+3 Marks
Incorrect Answer	-1 Mark
Unattempted Question	0 Mark

Pro Tip: Attempt only the questions you’re confident about. Avoid blind guesses since every incorrect answer will reduce your score.

AFCAT Exam Duration and Time Management

The total duration of the AFCAT exam 2026 is 2 hours. Since there are 100 questions, candidates have an average of 1.2 minutes per question. Efficient time management is essential.

Start with English or Reasoning – whichever is your stronger section.
Don’t spend more than 45 seconds on a single question.
Mark doubtful questions for review and move on.
Keep the last 10 minutes for quick revision and unanswered questions.

AFCAT Question Paper Structure (Sample Layout)

The AFCAT question paper follows a consistent structure every year. Below is an approximate distribution:

Section	Difficulty Level	Ideal Time (Minutes)
English	Easy to Moderate	30
General Awareness	Moderate	25
Numerical Ability	Moderate to Difficult	30
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	Easy to Moderate	35

Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) Pattern for Technical Candidates

In addition to the main AFCAT exam, candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical Branch) must take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). This paper tests fundamental engineering concepts and knowledge of applied subjects.

Parameter	Details
Mode of Exam	Online (CBT)
Total Questions	50
Total Marks	150
Duration	45 Minutes
Negative Marking	1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer

EKT Syllabus Includes:

Engineering Mathematics
Applied Physics
Engineering Drawing
Fundamentals of Computer and Electronics
Specific Domain Knowledge (as per specialization)

Difference Between AFCAT and EKT

Feature	AFCAT	EKT
Purpose	Common exam for all branches	For Technical branch only
Questions	100	50
Marks	300	150
Duration	2 Hours	45 Minutes
Subjects	English, GK, Maths, Reasoning	Core Engineering

Best Strategy to Attempt AFCAT Exam 2026

Attempt easy sections first to build confidence.
Use elimination method in reasoning and English questions.
Keep track of time – don’t get stuck on long calculations.
Attempt around 80–85 questions with accuracy for a safe score above 180.

Expected Marks Distribution and Cut Off Trend

The AFCAT cutoff generally ranges between 150–165 marks out of 300. Below is the previous year trend:

Year	AFCAT Cut Off (Out of 300)
2023	155
2024	158
2025	160 (Expected)

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Key Takeaways

Total Marks: 300 (AFCAT) + 150 (EKT, if applicable)
Total Duration: 2 hours for AFCAT + 45 minutes for EKT
Negative Marking: -1 per wrong answer
All questions are compulsory and carry equal weight
Exam conducted online at designated centers

Preparation Plan Based on AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026

Once you know the exam pattern, planning becomes easier. Here’s a quick plan:

Week 1–3: Focus on English and Reasoning basics.
Week 4–6: Cover General Awareness and Numerical Ability.
Week 7–9: Practice mixed mock tests and analyze mistakes.
Final 3 Weeks: Full-length tests + Revision.

Conclusion

The AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 provides a complete roadmap for your preparation. By understanding the marks distribution, question pattern, and duration, you can prepare with a focused approach. Remember that success in AFCAT depends on consistent practice, good time management, and maintaining accuracy during the exam. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or reappearing candidate, build your preparation plan around this paper pattern and stay disciplined throughout your journey.

Keywords used: AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026, AFCAT Marking Scheme, AFCAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026, AFCAT Paper Pattern, AFCAT Exam Duration, AFCAT Marks Distribution, AFCAT Question Paper, AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern, AFCAT EKT Pattern.

AFCAT Study Plan 2026 – 3 & 6 Month Strategy for Beginners

AFCAT Best Books 2026 – English, GK, Maths & Reasoning

AFCAT Preparation Tips 2026 – Strategy to Crack in First Attempt

AFCAT Selection Process 2026 – Online Test, AFSB Interview & Medical Explained

AFSB Interview Process 2026 – Stage I & II Explained in Detail

AFCAT Medical Test 2026 – Standards, Requirements & Common Rejections

AFCAT Cut Off 2026 – Previous Year Cut Off Marks & Analysis

AFCAT Vacancy 2026 – Branch Wise Vacancies & Post Details

AFCAT Salary 2026 – In-hand Salary, Perks, and Career Growth

AFCAT Syllabus 2026 – Subject Wise Topics, Pattern & PDF Download

AFCAT Admit Card 2026 – Download Link, Release Date & Steps to Download

AFCAT Marital Status Rules 2026 – What Happens If You Marry During Training?