Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a recruitment exam conducted by Air Force (IAF). The exam is conducted twice a year in the month of February and August. AFCAT recruits 3 branches of Air Force-Flying Branch (Short Service Commission), Technical branch (Permanent and Short Service Commission) and Ground Duty Branch (Permanent and Short Service Commission). AFCAT Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) is the exam that assesses the knowledge of engineering that is needed for technical branch.
The knowledge from Aeronautical Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical) is tested. All applicants have to answer AFCAT and EKT and this is applicable to only those who are aiming at the technical branch. EKT is a 45 minute exam and is held immediately after AFCAT. The total time duration for AFCAT exam is 2 hours and is conducted online, practice with AFCAT EKT Mock Test to increase your speed and accuracy.
Syllabus of the AFCAT
- 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
(a) General Awareness
- History
- Sports
- Geography
- Environment
- Civics
- Basic Science
- Defence
- Art
- Culture
- Current Affairs
- Politics
(b) Verbal Ability in English
- Comprehension
- Error Detection
- Sentence Completion
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Testing of Vocabulary
(c) Numerical Ability
- Decimal Fraction
- Simplification
- Average
- Profit & loss
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Simple Interest
(d) Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
- Verbal Skills
- Spatial Ability
Standard of AFCAT Question Paper:
- The standard of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. The standard of questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian University).
- The Online examination will consist of objective type questions and will be in English only for both AFCAT and EKT
AFCAT Marking Scheme
- Three marks for every correct attempt
- One mark for every incorrect attempt
- No marks for unattempted questions
Questions will be based on the metric system of Weights & Measures wherever applicable. Candidates must appear for the Online AFCAT in person. Under no circumstance will any scribe or another candidate be allowed to appear/ assist in the exam. Air Force has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.
AFCAT EKT Syllabus
SYLLABUS FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING
Fundamental Engineering
- Engineering Mathematics. Matrix Algebra, Eigen values and Eigen vectors,
Theorems of integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes,
Gauss and Green’s theorems. First order differential equation (linear and nonlinear), Cauchy’s and
Euler’s equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean,
Median, Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions,
Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Ztransform. - Engineering Physics. Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and
Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat
and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism,
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and
Optical Instruments. - Engineering Drawing. Projection of straight line, planes and solids, Intersection of
surfaces, Isometric Projection, Sectional Views of solids, Full section, Introduction to ComputerAided Drafting
Specialisation Branch Topics
- Analog and Digital Electronics. Characteristics of diodes, BJT, FET, JFET and MOSFET,
Amplifiers – biasing, equivalent circuit and frequency response, Oscillators and feedback
amplifiers, Operational amplifiers – characteristics and applications, Simple active filters, VCOs
and timers, Combinational and sequential logic circuits, Multiplexer, Schmitt trigger, Multi-vibrators,
Sample and hold circuits, A/D and D/A converters, 8-bit microprocessor basics, architecture,
programming and interfacing. - Electronic Devices. Energy bands in Silicon, Intrinsic and extrinsic Silicon, Carrier
transport in Silicon – diffusion current, drift current, mobility, and resistivity. Generation and
recombination of carriers, p-n junction diode, Zener diode, tunnel diode, BJT, JFET, MOS
capacitor, MOSFET, LED, PIN and avalanche photo diode, Basics of LASER. - Computer Networks. ISO/OSI stack, LAN technologies (Ethernet, Token ring), Flow
and error control techniques, Congestion control, TCP/UDP and sockets, IPv4, Application layer
protocols (icmp, dns, smtp, pop, ftp, http), Basic concepts of hubs, switches, gateways, and
routers. Network security – basic concepts of public key and private key cryptography, digital
signature, firewalls. Basic concepts of client-server computing. - Network Theory Design. Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Reciprocity, Superposition, Compensation,
Miller’s, Tellegen’s and Maximum power transfer theorems. Impulse, step, ramp and sinusoidal
response analysis of first order and second order circuits. Two port parameters and their
interrelations, Application of Laplace transform and Fourier series in the context of network
analysis, Network synthesis. - Switching Theory. Traffic definitions, Introduction to switching networks, classification of
switching systems. Grade of Service and blocking probability, Basics of Circuit switching and
packet switching. Network traffic load and parameters, Modelling of switching systems, Incoming
traffic and service time characterisation, Blocking models and loss estimates, Delay systems –
Markovian queuing model, M/M/1 model, Limited queue capacity, Multiple server, Finite sources,
Queue discipline. - Information Technology. Operating System – Processes, threads, interprocess
communication, Concurrency, Synchronization, Deadlock, CPU scheduling, Memory management
and virtual memory, File systems, I/O systems, Protection and security. RDBMS – ER-model,
Relational model (relational algebra, tuple calculus), Database design (integrity constraints, normal
forms), Query languages (SQL), File structures (sequential files, indexing, B and B+ trees),
Transactions and concurrency control. Software engineering – Information gathering, requirement
and feasibility analysis, data flow diagrams, process specifications, input/output design, process
life cycle, planning and managing the project, design, coding, testing, implementation,
maintenance. Programming in C, Object Oriented Programming, basics of computer graphics.
Allied Engineering
- Electrical Engineering. Single phase transformer – equivalent circuit, phasor diagram,
tests, regulation and efficiency, Auto-transformer, Energy conversion principles, DC machines –
types, windings, generator characteristics, armature reaction and commutation; Servo and stepper
motors, Synchronous machines, Generators –regulation and parallel operation.
- Control Engineering. Application of open loop and closed loop systems, Principles of
feedback, Determination of transfer function by block diagram reduction method, Time domain
analysis of first and second order systems, transient and steady-state errors, damping and
oscillations. - Telecommunication Systems. Analog communication – amplitude and angle modulation
and demodulation systems, Superheterodyne receivers, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Fundamentals
of information theory and channel capacity theorem. Digital communication systems – Pulse Code
Modulation (PCM), Differential Pulse Code Modulation (DPCM), Digital modulation schemes:
amplitude, phase and frequency shift keying schemes (ASK, PSK, FSK), Basics of TDMA, FDMA
and CDMA. Fundamentals of mobile communication. Fundamentals of optical fibre
communication. - Microwave Engineering. Wave guides, Klystrons, Travelling Wave Tubes, Magnetron,
Introduction to microstrip lines, Microwave semiconductor devices, Monolithic microwave
integrated circuits. - Antenna and Wave Propagation. Antenna parameters, Effective length and aperture,
Gain, Beamwidth, Directivity, Radiation resistance, Efficiency, Polarization, Impedance and
Directional characteristics of antenna, Reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction of radio
waves. Fundamentals ground wave, space wave, sky wave and troposcatter propagation. - Radar Theory. Radar range equation, Frequencies of operation, Fundamentals of Moving
Target Indicator (MTI), Pulse Doppler Radar, Tracking radar. - Instrumentation. Accuracy, precision and repeatability, Electronic instruments for
measuring basic parameters, Theory of Oscilloscopes, Signal generators, Signal analysers,
Characteristics and construction of transducers.
SYLLABUS FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Fundamental Engineering - Engineering Mathematics. Matrix Algebra, Eigen values and Eigen vectors, Theorems of
integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes, Gauss and
Green’s theorems. First order differential equation (linear and nonlinear), Cauchy’s and Euler’s
equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean, Median,
Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions, Fourier
transform, Laplace transform, Ztransform. - Engineering Physics. Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and
Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat
and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism,
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and
Optical Instruments. - Engineering Drawing. Projection of straight line, planes and solids, Intersection of
surfaces, Isometric Projection, Sectional Views of solids, Full section, Introduction to ComputerAided Drafting.
Specialisation Branch Topics
- Analog and Digital Electronics. Characteristics of diodes, BJT, FET, JFET and MOSFET,
Amplifiers – biasing, equivalent circuit and frequency response, Oscillators and feedback
amplifiers, Operational amplifiers – characteristics and applications, Simple active filters, VCOs
and timers, Combinational and sequential logic circuits, Multiplexer, Schmitt trigger, Multi-vibrators,
Sample and hold circuits, A/D and D/A converters, 8-bit microprocessor basics, architecture,
programming and interfacing. - Electrical Engineering. Single phase transformer – equivalent circuit, phasor diagram,
tests, regulation and efficiency, Three phase transformers – connections, parallel operation, Autotransformer; Energy conversion principles, DC machines – types, windings, generator
characteristics, armature reaction and commutation, starting and speed control of motors, Single
phase and Three phase induction motors – principles, types, performance characteristics, starting
and speed control, Starting motors, Servo and stepper motors, Synchronous machines Generators
– performance, regulation and parallel operation. - Electronic Devices. Energy bands in Silicon, Intrinsic and extrinsic Silicon, Carrier
transport in Silicon – diffusion current, drift current, mobility, and resistivity. Generation and
recombination of carriers, p-n junction diode, Zener diode, tunnel diode, BJT, JFET, MOS
capacitor, MOSFET, LED, PIN and avalanche photo diode, Basics of LASER. Device technology –
integrated circuits fabrication process, oxidation, diffusion, ion implantation, photolithography,
n-tub, p-tub and twin-tub CMOS process. - Control Engineering. Application of open loop and closed loop systems, Principles of
feedback, Determination of transfer function by block diagram reduction method, Time domain
analysis of first and second order systems, transient and steady-state errors, damping and
oscillations, Routh and Nyquist techniques, Bode plots, Root loci, Lag, lead and lead-lag
compensation, State space model, State transition matrix, Controllability and observability. - Telecommunication Systems. Random signals and noise – probability, random
variables, probability density function, autocorrelation, power spectral density. Analog
communication – amplitude and angle modulation and demodulation systems, spectral analysis of
these operations, superheterodyne receivers, elements of hardware, realisations of analog
communication systems, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculations for AM and FM. Fundamentals of
information theory and channel capacity theorem. Digital communication systems – Pulse Code
Modulation (PCM), Differential Pulse Code Modulation (DPCM), Digital modulation schemes:
amplitude, phase and frequency shift keying schemes (ASK, PSK, FSK), Matched filter receivers,
Bandwidth consideration and probability of error calculations for these schemes. Basics of TDMA,
FDMA and CDMA. Fundamentals of mobile communication. Fundamentals of optical fibre
communication. - Microwave Engineering. Wave guides, Waveguide components, Klystrons, Travelling
Wave Tubes, Magnetron, Microwave measurements, Introduction to microstrip lines, Microwave
network analysis, Microwave semiconductor devices, Monolithic microwave integrated circuits. - Antenna and Wave Propagation. Antenna parameters, Radiation from a current
element in free space, Reciprocity theorem, Resonant and non-resonant antenna, Effective length
and aperture, gain, beamwidth, directivity, radiation resistance, efficiency, polarization, impedance
and directional characteristics of antenna, antenna temperature. Phased array antenna,
Mechanism of radio wave propagation, Reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction of radio
waves. Theory of ground wave, space wave, sky wave and troposcatter propagation.
Allied Engineering Topics
- Instrumentation. Accuracy, precision and repeatability, Electronic instruments for
measuring basic parameters, Theory of Oscilloscopes, Signal generators, Signal analysers,
Characteristics and construction of transducers. - Computer Networks. ISO/OSI stack, LAN technologies (Ethernet, Token ring), Flow and
error control techniques, Congestion control, TCP/UDP and sockets, IPv4, Application layer
protocols (icmp, dns, smtp, pop, ftp, http); Basic concepts of hubs, switches, gateways, and
routers. - Network Theory Design. Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Reciprocity, Superposition, Compensation,
Miller’s, Tellegen’s and Maximum power transfer theorems. Impulse, step, ramp and sinusoidal
response analysis of first order and second order circuits. Two port parameters and their
interrelations, Application of Laplace transform and Fourier series in the context of network
analysis, Network synthesis. - Switching Theory. Traffic definitions, Introduction to switching networks, classification of
switching systems. Grade of Service, Basics of Circuit switching and packet switching. - Information Technology. Fundamentals of operating system, RDBMS terminologies,
Object Oriented Programming, Basics of computer graphics. - Radar Theory. Radar range equation, Frequencies of operation, fundamentals of Moving
Target Indicator (MTI), Pulse Doppler Radar, Tracking radar.
SYLLABUS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Fundamental Engineering - Engineering Mathematics. Matrix Algebra, Eigen values and Eigen vectors,
Theorems of integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes,
Gauss and Green’s theorems. First order differential equation (linear and nonlinear), Cauchy’s and
Euler’s equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean,
Median, Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions,
Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Ztransform. - Engineering Physics. Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and
Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat
and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism,
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and
Optical Instruments. - Engineering Graphics/Engineering Drawing. Principles of orthographic projections,
projections of points, lines, planes and solids, Section of solids, Isometric views, Auto-CAD.
Specialization Branch Topics
- Engineering Mechanics. Equations of equilibrium in space and its application; first and
second moments of area; simple problems on friction; kinematics of particles for plane motion;
elementary particle dynamics. Generalized Hooke’s law and its application; design problems on
axial stress, shear stress and bearing stress; material properties for dynamic loading; bending
shear and stresses in beams; determination of principle stresses and strains – analytical and
graphical; material behaviour and design factors for dynamic load; design of circular shafts for
bending and torsional load only; deflection of beam for statically determinate problems; theories of
failure. - Thermodynamics. Basic concept of First –law and second law of Thermodynamics;
concept of entropy and reversibility; availability and unavailability and irreversibility. Classification
and properties of fluids; incompressible and compressible fluids flows; effect of Mach number and
compressibility; continuity momentum and energy equations; normal and oblique shocks; one
dimensional isentropic flow; flow or fluids in duct with frictions that transfer. Flow through fans,
blowers and compressors; axial and centrifugal flow configuration; design of fans and compressors - Theory of Machines. Kinematic and dynamic analysis of plane mechanisms. Cams,
Gears and epicyclic gear trains, flywheels, governors, balancing of rigid rotors, balancing of single
and multicylinder engines, linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems (single degree of
freedom), Critical speeds and whirling of shafts. flywheels, balancing of rotors and reciprocating
machinery, balancing machines, governors, free and forced vibration of damped and undamped
single degree of freedom systems, isolation, whirling of shafts, gyroscope. - Fluid mechanics/Hydraulic Machines. Fluid flow concepts – Transport theorem – Fluid
kinematics – Potential flow – Governing equations of Fluid flow – Dimensional Analysis – Viscous
flow – Boundary Layer flows – Turbulence – Closed conduit flows – Hydrodynamic lubrication – Free
surface flow – Compressible flows, Hydraulic Turbines: Impulse and Reaction Turbines –
Centrifugal and Axial flow pumps. - Manufacturing Science. Foundry Technology, Melting furnaces, Special casting
processes, Gating and riser design, Casting defects, Arc welding, TIG, MIG, submerged arc,
resistance welding, Gas welding, Flash butt welding, Solid state welding, Welding metallurgy,
Forming Technology, Powder metallurgy. - Materials Science. Basic concepts on structure of solids; common ferrous and nonferrous materials and their applications; heat-treatment of steels; non-metals- plastics, ceramics,
composite materials and nano-materials. - Machine Drawing. Development and Intersection of surfaces, Conventional representation
of machine elements, materials, surface finish and tolerances – Sectional views and additional
views – Drawing of Screw threads, locking devices, Fasteners, Keys and Cotters, Knuckle joints,
Riveted Joints, Shaft Couplings and Bearings – Pipe Joints, Assembly and production drawings.
Allied Engineering
- Automotive Engineering. Introduction, power plant, fuel system, electrical system and
other electrical fittings, lubricating system and cooling systems, chassis and transmission, axles,
clutches, propeller shafts and differential, Condition for correct steering, steering gear
mechanisms, automotive air conditioning, Tyres, effect of working parameters on knocking,
reduction of knocking; Forms of combustion chamber for SI and CI engines; rating of fuels;
additives; emission. - Power Plant Engineering. Steam power plant, steam boilers, steam condensers,
cooling towers, cogeneration and combined cycles, nuclear power plants, hydroelectric power
plants, power plant economics. - Industrial Engineering. System design: factory location- simple OR models; plant layout
- methods based; applications of engineering economic analysis and break- even analysis for
product selection, process selection and capacity planning; predetermined time standards. System
planning; forecasting methods based on regression and decomposition, design and balancing of
multi model and stochastic assembly lines; inventory management – probabilistic inventory models
for order time and order quantity determination; JIT systems; strategic sourcing; managing inter
plant logistics.
- Flight Mechanics. Atmosphere: Properties, standard atmosphere. Classification of
aircraft. Airplane (fixed wing aircraft) configuration and various parts. Airplane performance:
Pressure altitude; equivalent, calibrated, indicated air speeds; Primary flight instruments: Altimeter,
ASI, VSI, Turn-bank indicator. Drag polar; takeoff and landing; steady climb & descent,-absolute
and service ceiling; cruise, cruise climb, endurance or loiter; load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram;
Winds: head, tail & cross winds. Static stability: Angle of attack, sideslip; roll, pitch & yaw controls;
longitudinal stick fixed & free stability, horizontal tail position and size; directional stability - Aircraft Structures. Stress and Strain: Equations of equilibrium, constitutive law, straindisplacement relationship, compatibility equations, plane stress and strain, Airy’s stress function.
Flight Vehicle Structures: Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials, torsion, bending and
flexural shear. Flexural shear flow in thinwalled sections. Buckling. Failure theories. Loads on
aircraft. Structural Dynamics: Free and forced vibration of discrete systems. Damping and
resonance. Dynamics of continuous systems. - Aerodynamics. Basic Fluid Mechanics: Incompressible irrotational flow, Helmholtz and
Kelvin theorem, singularities and superposition, viscous flows, boundary layer on a flat plate.
Airfoils and wings: Classification of airfoils, aerodynamic characteristics, high lift devices, Kutta
Joukowski theorem; lift generation; thin airfoil theory; wing theory; induced drag; qualitative
treatment of low aspect ratio wings. Viscous Flows: Flow separation, introduction to turbulence,
transition, structure of a turbulent boundary layer. Compressible Flows: Dynamics and
Thermodynamics of I-D flow, isentropic flow, normal shock, oblique shock.
