"Unlock your career in the Indian Air Force with AFCAT. Discover exciting opportunities, eligibility criteria, application process, and important dates. Take flight with AFCAT 2023!"AFCAT
AFCAT stands for "Air Force Common Admission Test." It is an entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the selection of officers in the Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty branches of the IAF. AFCAT is held twice a year, usually in February and August, and is open to both men and women who aspire to join the IAF as commissioned officers.
The AFCAT exam assesses candidates' aptitude in areas such as verbal ability, numerical ability, reasoning, general awareness, and military aptitude. The test is conducted online and consists of multiple-choice questions. Candidates who clear the AFCAT written exam are then called for subsequent stages of the selection process, which include the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview, medical examination, and document verification.
The Flying branch primarily involves piloting aircraft, while the Technical branch deals with the maintenance and technical aspects of aircraft and related systems. The Ground Duty branch includes various non-combat roles such as administration, logistics, accounts, education, meteorology, etc.
Candidates who clear the AFCAT exam and subsequent stages of the selection process are eligible for training at the Air Force Academy (AFA) located in Dundigal, near Hyderabad, India. Upon successful completion of the training, candidates are commissioned as officers in the Indian Air Force
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AFCAT Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The AFCAT selection process consists of a written examination followed by subsequent stages of testing and evaluation. Here is an overview of the selection process and the exam pattern:
Written Examination:
The AFCAT written exam is conducted online and consists of multiple-choice questions.
The exam is divided into four sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude.
The total duration of the exam is two hours (120 minutes).
The total number of questions in AFCAT varies, usually around 100 questions.
Each correct answer carries three marks, and one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer (negative marking).
The question paper is available in English.
Cut-off Marks:
The Indian Air Force determines the cut-off marks for AFCAT based on factors such as the number of vacancies and the performance of candidates.
Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks to be considered for further stages of the selection process.
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview:
Candidates who clear the AFCAT written exam and meet the cut-off criteria are called for the AFSB interview.
The AFSB interview is conducted in two stages: Stage-I and Stage-II.
Stage-I involves Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT).
Candidates who qualify for Stage-I proceed to Stage-II.
Stage-II includes Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Interview conducted over several days.
These tests assess candidates' psychological suitability, group interaction skills, and leadership qualities.
Medical Examination:
Candidates who clear the AFSB interview undergo a comprehensive medical examination conducted by Air Force Medical Authorities.
The medical examination assesses the candidate's physical fitness, medical standards, and overall health.
Final Merit List and Training:
The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate's performance in the AFCAT exam, AFSB interview, and medical examination.
Candidates who make it to the merit list are offered training at the Air Force Academy (AFA).
The training duration varies based on the branch and specialization.
It's important to note that the exact exam pattern and selection process may be subject to change, so it's advisable to refer to the official AFCAT notification and guidelines for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
AFCAT Syllabus
The AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) syllabus covers various subjects to assess candidates' aptitude and knowledge. Here is a general overview of the AFCAT syllabus:
General Awareness:
Current Affairs: National and International events, sports, awards, books, etc.
History: Indian and World History, including prominent personalities and events.
Geography: Indian and World Geography, physical and political geography, environmental science.
Civics: Indian Constitution, governance, social issues, etc.
Basic Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and their applications in daily life.
Defense-related topics: Defense organizations, military history, weapons, etc.
Verbal Ability in English:
English Comprehension: Reading comprehension passages and questions based on them.
Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms and phrases, etc.
Grammar: Error detection, sentence completion, tenses, sentence rearrangement, etc.
Verbal Ability: Fill in the blanks, analogies, jumbled sentences, etc.
Numerical Ability:
Number System: Fractions, decimals, percentages, etc.
Simplification: BODMAS rules, approximation, ratios, proportions, etc.
Data Interpretation: Graphs, charts, tables, etc.
Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, arithmetic progressions, etc.
Averages, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, etc.
Reasoning and Military Aptitude:
Verbal Reasoning: Series completion, coding-decoding, blood relations, syllogisms, etc.
Non-Verbal Reasoning: Analogy, classification, pattern completion, embedded figures, etc.
Spatial Ability: Visualization, spatial orientation, rotation, mirror images, etc.
Military Aptitude: Basic knowledge of the armed forces, their organization, rank structure, etc.
Logical Reasoning: Deductive and inductive reasoning, logical consistency, statement-conclusion, etc.
It's important to note that the AFCAT syllabus may not be explicitly defined by the Indian Air Force, and the topics mentioned above are based on the general trends observed in previous AFCAT exams. It's advisable to refer to the official AFCAT notification and syllabus provided by the Indian Air Force for the most accurate and up-to-date information.