AFCAT exam analysis is one of the most important and highly searched topics apart from the exam date and result. Analysis of the previous exam helps the aspiring candidates to prepare better for the upcoming exam. The exam analysis of AFCAT is generally made available to candidates after the successful completion of the test.
So far, IAF has smoothly conducted the online AFCAT test. The previous examination, i.e., AFCAT (2) examination 2020 has been successfully conducted from 3rd to 5th October 2020. For the upcoming AFCAT (1) exam, candidates can refer to the question papers in the year 2020 to get an update on the recent exam pattern, questions asked, and difficulty level.
This year, the AFCAT (1) exam will be conducted on 20th and 21st February 2021. IAF took this decision to avoid overcrowding at the examination venue. Adequate measures were taken at the exam centres to control the spread of the virus.
Candidates looking for more information regarding the AFCAT 2020 exam must go through this entire AFCAT exam analysis article thoroughly.
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Exam timing
As already stated, the AFCAT (2) 2020 examinations were conducted in 2 shifts. This was done to avoid commotion and ensure smooth completion of the examination. Similarly, this year too, the AFCAT (1) examination will be conducted in 2 shifts without fail. Candidates can find below the schedule of the upcoming examination.
AFCAT Exam 2021 Schedule
| Activity | Day 1 – 20.02.2021 | Day 2 – 21.02.2021 | ||
| Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | |
| Reporting Time | 8:00 AM | 12:30 PM | ||
| Verification – Admit card, ID proof, Biometric photograph checking, Thumb impression, Sign on the Attendance sheet, and Candidate seating in the examination hall | 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM | 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM |
| Reading of instruction (by candidates) | 9:30 AM to 9:45 AM | 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM | 9:30 AM to 9:45 AM | 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM |
| AFCAT | 9:45 AM to 11:45 AM | 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM | 9:45 AM to 11:45 AM | 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM |
| Reading of instruction (by candidates for EKT) | NA | 4:15 PM to 4:30 PM | NA | 4:15 PM to 4:30 PM |
| EKT | NA | 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM | NA | 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Prominent Highlights
- In the previous examination, i.e., AFCAT (2), the test was conducted in more than 100 cities across India.
- The examination was conducted in 2 shifts – Forenoon and Afternoon. The morning or forenoon shift was conducted between 9:45 AM and 11:45 AM and the afternoon shift was held between 2:15 PM and 4:15 PM.
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Section-wise Analysis (3rd October 2020)
In terms of the level of difficulty, this shift was considered moderately ok for the candidates. Amongst the 4 sections, General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test was of moderate level. Apart from these, the Numerical Ability Section inclined more towards the difficulty level.
Overall AFCAT Exam Analysis
| Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Good Attempt | Difficulty Level |
| General Awareness | 25 | 17 – 19 | Moderate |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 16 – 18 | Moderate |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 8 – 10 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 32 | 22 – 24 | Moderate |
| Total | 100 | 60 – 65 | Moderate |
Section-wise AFCAT Exam Analysis – General Awareness
As per the review, the level of questions asked in this section was moderate. Questions were mainly asked from Geography, History, Polity, Science & Tech, Awards, Sports, Books and Author, and Current Affairs.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| History | 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Geography | 4 | Moderate |
| Science | 5 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Polity | 4 | Moderate to -Difficult |
| Current Affairs & Economics | 7 | Moderate |
| Total | 25 | Moderate |
Section-wise AFCAT Exam Analysis – Verbal Ability in English
As per the review level of questions asked in this section, the questions were of moderate level. Although candidates expected this section to be on the easier side, topics like reading comprehension, error detection, spotting errors were moderately difficult.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Spotting Error | 4 | Moderate |
| Error Detection | 3 | Moderate |
| Idioms and Phrases | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | 2 | Moderate |
| Antonym and Synonym | 6 | Moderate |
| Cloze test | 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 25 | Easy to Moderate |
Section-wise AFCAT Exam Analysis – Numerical Ability
According to the candidates, this section was moderately difficult. The questions were asked from Discount, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Mixture & Allegations, Averages Time & Work, Time Speed & Distance, Simplification, Boats & Streams.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Profit/Loss and Discount | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Ratio & Percentage | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Mixture & allegations | 2 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Time and Work | 2 | Moderate |
| Simplification | 3 | Moderate |
| Speed and Distance | 2 | Moderate |
| Average | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 18 | Moderate to difficult |
Section-wise AFCAT Exam Analysis – Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
Again, this section was moderately difficult. The questions were asked from Ranking (Military & Defence), Classification, Series, Non-Verbal reasoning, Syllogism, Embedded Figures, Odd-One Out, Analogy, Syllogism, Letter Series & Codes, Inference & Assumption, Pattern Completion and classification.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Non-Verbal (Image) | 10 | Moderate |
| Odd one out | 5 | Moderate |
| Analogy | 5 | Moderate |
| Venn diagram | 4 | Easy to Moderate |
| Complete the pattern | 5 | Moderate |
| Miscellaneous | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 32 | Moderate to Difficult |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – 3rd October 2020 (Shift 2)
As per the review level of questions asked in this section, the questions were moderate. Although a few sections were difficult.
Overall Section-Wise Analysis
| Section | Level of Difficulty |
| English Language | Moderate |
| Numerical Ability | Moderate to Difficult |
| Test Of Reasoning | Moderate |
| General Knowledge | Moderate |
| Overall | Moderate |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Section-wise Distribution of Topics
| Sections | Important Topics |
| General Awareness | Awards, Current affairs, Books and Authors, Polity, Sports, History Geography, Science and Technology |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | Non-Verbal reasoning, Odd-One Out, Analogy, Embedded Figures, Syllogism, Pattern Completion, Inference & Assumption, Classification, Letter Series & Codes |
| English | Spotting the Error, Idioms/Phrases, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the blanks, Antonym/Synonym, Cloze Test |
| Numerical | Time & Work, Simplification, Profit & Loss, Discount, Percentage, Mixture & Allegations, Algebra, Time Speed & Distance, Averages |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Section-wise Analysis (4th October 2020)
In terms of the level of difficulty, this shift was moderate for the candidates. Amongst the 4 sections, General Awareness and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test were moderate. Apart from these, the Numerical Ability Section inclined more towards the difficulty level but Verbal Ability in English. Was easy.
Overall AFCAT Exam Analysis
| Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Good Attempt | Difficulty Level |
| General Awareness | 25 | 10 – 15 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 18 – 20 | Easy |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 15 – 16 | Moderate |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 32 | 25 – 28 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 100 | 65 – 70 | Moderate |
Section-wise Analysis – General Awareness
As per the review, the level of questions asked in the General Awareness section was moderate. Questions were mainly asked from Geography, History, Polity, Science & Tech, Awards, Sports, Books and Author, and Current Affairs.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| History | 5 | Easy |
| Geography | 4 | Easy |
| Science | 5 | Easy |
| Polity | 4 | Easy |
| Current Affairs and Economics | 7 | Moderate |
| Total | 25 | Moderate |
Section-wise Analysis – Verbal Ability in English
As per the review level of questions asked in this section, the questions were easy. Although candidates thought this section to be on the easier side, topics like reading comprehension, error detection, spotting errors were moderately difficult.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Fill in the blacks | 4 | Easy |
| Error Detection | 3 | Easy |
| Idioms/Phrases | 3 | Easy-Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | 3 | Easy |
| Antonym/ Synonym | 6 | Moderate-Difficult |
| Cloze test | 5 | Easy |
| Total | 25 | Easy |
Section-wise Analysis – Numerical Ability
According to the candidates, this section was moderate. The questions were asked from Discount, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Mixture & Allegations, Averages Time & Work, Time Speed & Distance, Simplification, Boats & Streams.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Profit/Loss and Discount | 2 | Moderate |
| Ratio & Percentage | 3 | Moderate |
| Mixture & allegations | 2 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 2 | Easy-Moderate |
| Time and Work | 2 | Moderate |
| Simplification | 3 | Moderate |
| Speed and Distance | 2 | Easy |
| Average | 2 | Moderate |
| Total | 18 | Moderate |
Section-wise Analysis – Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
Again, this section was moderate. The questions were asked from Ranking (Military & Defence), Classification, Series, Non-Verbal reasoning, Syllogism, Embedded Figures, Odd-One Out, Analogy, Syllogism, Letter Series & Codes, Inference & Assumption, Pattern Completion and classification.
| Topic | No of Questions | Level |
| Non-Verbal (Image) | 8 | Easy |
| Odd one out | 5 | Easy |
| Analogy | 5 | Moderate |
| Venn diagram | 4 | Easy |
| Complete the pattern | 5 | Moderate |
| Miscellaneous | 5 | Moderate |
| Total | 32 | Moderate |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Section-wise Analysis (5th October 2020)
In terms of difficulty level, this shift was moderate for the candidates. Amongst the 4 sections, General Awareness and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test were moderate. Apart from these, the Numerical Ability Section inclined more towards the difficulty level but Verbal Ability in English. Was easy.
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Shift 1
| Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| General Awareness | 25 | Moderate to Difficult | 10 – 15 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | Easy | 18 – 20 |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | Moderate | 15 – 16 |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 32 | Easy to Moderate | 25 – 28 |
| Total | 100 | Moderate | 65 – 70 |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – Shift 2
| Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| General Awareness | 25 | Easy to Moderate | 16 – 17 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | Easy | 15 – 16 |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | Moderate | 17 – 18 |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 32 | Moderate | 29 – 30 |
| Total | 100 | Easy to Moderate | 68 – 70 |
AFCAT Exam Analysis – FAQs
What is the mode of the AFCAT examination?
AFCAT examination will be conducted in online mode.
Was the Reasoning Ability section tough?
The level of Reasoning Ability section in the AFCAT 2020 exam was between moderate to difficult.
How is the AFCAT exam analysis helpful to candidates?
The AFCAT exam analysis helps candidates get a better idea about the section-wise and overall difficulty level of the exam and prepare for it accordingly.
What is the duration of the AFCAT (1) exam?
The duration of the AFCAT exam is 120 minutes.
Was the difficulty level of question papers of each slot different for AFCAT 2020?
Yes. The difficulty level of question papers was different for each of the slots.
