AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Marking Scheme, Section-Wise Marks & Paper Pattern
The AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026 is defined by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the official AFCAT notification. Understanding the pattern is critical before starting preparation, as it dictates how many questions to expect, the time available, the negative marking scheme, and what subjects to focus on.
AFCAT is conducted twice a year: AFCAT 1 (January/February) and AFCAT 2 (June/August). AFCAT 1 2026 was held on 31 January 2026 and AFCAT 2 2026 applications opened on 20 May 2026 for courses commencing in July 2027.
AFCAT 2026 Exam Pattern – At a Glance
|
Parameter |
AFCAT (All Branches) |
EKT (Technical Branch Only) |
|
Mode |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
|
Duration |
2 Hours (120 minutes) |
45 Minutes |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
50 |
|
Total Marks |
300 |
150 |
|
Marks per Correct Answer |
+3 |
+3 |
|
Negative Marking |
–1 per wrong answer |
–1 per wrong answer |
|
Question Type |
Objective (MCQ) |
Objective (MCQ) |
|
Medium |
English only |
English only |
|
Sections |
4 |
1 (branch-specific) |
AFCAT 2026 Section-Wise Marks Distribution
|
Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
75 |
|
Verbal Ability in English |
25 |
75 |
|
Numerical Ability |
25 |
75 |
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test |
25 |
75 |
|
Total |
100 |
300 |
Each section carries equal weightage of 75 marks. There is no sectional time limit — candidates can attempt any section in any order within the overall 2-hour window.
AFCAT 2026 Marking Scheme
|
Scenario |
Marks |
|
Correct Answer |
+3 marks |
|
Wrong Answer |
–1 mark |
|
Unattempted Question |
0 marks |
Marking Strategy Based on Marking Scheme
|
Situation |
Recommended Action |
|
Confident about the answer |
Attempt — net gain +3 |
|
Can eliminate 2 of 4 options |
Attempt — favourable risk (+3 vs –1) |
|
No idea — random guess |
Skip — negative marking not worth it |
|
Pressed for time |
Attempt only high-confidence questions |
AFCAT EKT Exam Pattern 2026 (Technical Branch)
Technical Branch candidates (Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical & Electronics) must appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) in addition to AFCAT.
|
Parameter |
Detail |
|
Duration |
45 minutes |
|
Questions |
50 |
|
Total Marks |
150 |
|
Marks per Correct Answer |
+3 |
|
Negative Marking |
–1 per wrong answer |
|
Branches |
Mechanical / Computer Science / Electrical & Electronics |
Note: The EKT was reported as potentially discontinued from 2025 onwards. Verify with the latest official AFCAT 2 2026 notification on afcat.cdac.in.
AFCAT 2026 Full Selection Process
The written exam is just Stage 1 of a multi-stage selection process:
|
Stage |
Process |
Remarks |
|
Stage 1 |
AFCAT Written Test |
Online CBT; shortlisted based on cutoff |
|
Stage 2 |
AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) |
5-day assessment at Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, or Guwahati |
|
Stage 3 |
OIR Test |
Officer Intelligence Rating — verbal and non-verbal reasoning |
|
Stage 4 |
Psychological Tests |
Group Discussions, Picture Perception, etc. |
|
Stage 5 |
GTO Tasks |
Group Testing Officer activities |
|
Stage 6 |
Personal Interview |
Before a board of officers |
|
Stage 7 |
Medical Examination |
Strict IAF medical standards |
|
Stage 8 |
Final Merit List |
Based on AFCAT + AFSB + Medical |
AFCAT 2026 Exam Centres
AFCAT is conducted in cities across India. Candidates select preferences during the application:
|
Zone |
Sample Cities |
|
North |
Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur |
|
South |
Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi |
|
East |
Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati |
|
West |
Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur |
|
Central |
Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur |
AFCAT 1 vs AFCAT 2 – Pattern Comparison
|
Parameter |
AFCAT 1 2026 |
AFCAT 2 2026 |
|
Notification Released |
November 2025 |
20 May 2026 |
|
Application Period |
Nov–Dec 2025 |
20 May – 19 June 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
31 January 2026 |
Likely August 2026 |
|
Course Commencement |
January 2027 |
July 2027 |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
100 |
|
Total Marks |
300 |
300 |
|
Pattern |
Same |
Same |
AFCAT 2026 Previous Year Cutoff (Reference for Pattern Scoring)
|
AFCAT Cycle |
Flying Branch Cutoff |
Ground Duty Technical |
Ground Duty Non-Technical |
|
AFCAT 2 2024 |
~150 marks |
~148 marks |
~145 marks |
|
AFCAT 1 2025 |
~152 marks |
~149 marks |
~147 marks |
|
AFCAT 2 2025 |
~148 marks |
~145 marks |
~143 marks |
|
AFCAT 1 2026 |
~150 marks (approx.) |
— |
— |
Cutoffs vary between cycles. Only candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks set by IAF proceed to AFSB.
Time Management Strategy for AFCAT 2026
With 100 questions in 120 minutes, effective time planning is essential:
|
Section |
Suggested Time |
|
General Awareness |
25–28 minutes |
|
Verbal Ability in English |
22–25 minutes |
|
Numerical Ability |
28–32 minutes |
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude |
25–28 minutes |
|
Review / Buffer |
10 minutes |
Key Tips:
-
Attempt your strongest section first
-
Do not spend more than 72 seconds per question on average
-
Skip and return to difficult questions — no sectional time limit
-
Target 150+ out of 300 as a safe score for most branches
A thorough understanding of the AFCAT 2026 exam pattern combined with section-wise practice and full-length mock tests is the most reliable preparation strategy for IAF officer selection.
