AFCAT-1 2020 Exam

Indian Air Force conducts Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) to recruit Men and Women to Indian Air Force to be part of this elite force as Commissioned Officers in Flying, Technical and Ground Duty branches. The test is conducted twice a year in February and August/September. AFCAT is a graduate level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Air Force. Graduates from any discipline with Indian citizenship and a minimum of 60% marks are eligible to apply for the exam. Touted as the most adventurous career in the Defence Services , so let’s face it, it will not be a cakewalk ride so to streamline and channelize your preparation process let’s ponder over some tips and tricks that might just help you to focus on being fully prepared for the D-day.

AFCAT Preparation Tips and Tricks

• Know the exam pattern

Having a detailed knowledge of AFCAT exam pattern will not just help you make the right preparation plan but will also help you plan the strategies for the exam day.

Given below is AFCAT exam pattern:

1. Exam-AFCAT
2. Mode of Exam-Online i.e. computer based test (CBT)
3. No. of Questions-100
4. Maximum Marks-300
5. Negative Marks– 1 for each wrong answer
6. Duration of Exam-2 hours (120 minutes)
7. Sections in Paper-General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
8. AFCAT EKT- Candidates who apply for Technical duty also need to appear for EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test). EKT is a 45-minute test where candidates need to answer 50 questions on the discipline they applied for with subjects dealing in Mechanical/ Computer Science/ Electrical and Electronics.

• Go through the syllabus

This is the first and the most important tip for the preparation of any competitive exam. Carefully check the syllabus of the exam as announced by the conducting body and accordingly make your plan and set your routine to achieve your goal because as it is profoundly said, “ A ship is rudderless without the right anchor.” Therefore have a knack and hold on the subjectal matter.

AFCAT 2020 Exam Syllabus:

English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion/Filling in of correct word, Synonyms, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases.

General Awareness: History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports, etc.

Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time & Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams).

Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.

Note: The standard of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. The standard of questions in other subjects will be of graduation level.

• Daily reading

Develop a habit of reading magazines and daily newspapers to score well in the General Knowledge section. Have access to the internet and different mobile applications, to check the daily news and latest updates of national and international front. When reading magazines and newspapers, focus more on the latest books, winners in sports, cities located at the banks of famous rivers etc.

• Remember the formulae

To score well in mathematics, you need to remember all the formulae. A great idea of doing this is to make notes of formulas or making a chart of the same and referring the same. It will help you remember them for longer and use effectively in the examination hall.

• Read a lot to attain prowess in English

To prepare for the English section, you need to read as much as you can. Reader’s Digest, The Hindu Editorials and other magazines are some option to improve your reading for English section. When preparing for English, you should also focus on Synonyms and Antonyms.

• Solve mock tests and previous year papers

Going through previous year papers and solving mock tests will boost your AFCAT preparation. This will not just help you get a better understanding of the types of questions asked but will also help you develop techniques to solve them quickly. Further, online mock tests will prepare you for the computer-based test. By solving these tests you can work on your speed, focus on your strengths and thus be confident and well prepared.

• Design a study plan

Strategizing a study plan is very important while preparing for any competitive exam. Note down the topics that you are well versed with, topics that require your effort or your lacunae areas, topics where you are not confident of, these will enable you to channelize your weaknesses along with your strengths and boost up your confidence levels.

• Time Management is the Key

Practice enough to finish off your exams on time as time management is the ideal key to ace out these exams and a little divergence in the same regard may make you on the weak spot thus the correct approach is to efficiently utilize and figuring your time out.

Cracking any competitive exam is not impossible. You just need the right preparation plan and dedication. Once you are sorted you can plan and study accordingly. Follow the above tips and tricks carefully and increase your chances to crack AFCAT-I 2020 exam in the first attempt. All the best!!