AFCAT exam-day guide
AFCAT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket (printed)
Download from the official AFCAT portal once released and carry a clean printed copy. Confirm the exact print and attestation requirements with the provider, since rules on colour print, photo pasting and signature can change between cycles.
Valid photo ID in original
Carry the original government-issued photo ID you declared in the application (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, voter ID, PAN or similar). Confirm the current list of accepted IDs with the provider.
Passport-size photographs
Carry a few recent photographs matching the one on your application, in case the invigilator asks for pasting or verification. Confirm the required number and specification with the provider.
Blue/black ballpoint pen
Carry a working pen for signatures and any written entries. Confirm whether the test is computer-based or paper-based for your cycle, as stationery rules differ.
Transparent water bottle
Stay hydrated; carry a clear bottle if permitted. Confirm the venue's policy on bottles and food with the provider.
Know your reporting time and gate-closing time
Reporting is typically well before the start time and late entry is usually refused. Confirm the exact reporting time printed on your admit card and plan to arrive early.
Confirm exam mode and centre location
Verify whether your test is computer-based or paper-based and do a route check to the centre. Confirm centre details only from your admit card, not from third-party sites.
Leave prohibited items at home
Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators and study material are normally barred from the hall. Confirm the venue's storage arrangements with the provider, as many centres offer none.
Review the marking scheme
AFCAT typically uses a penalty for wrong answers, so decide in advance how selective you will be. Confirm the exact marks per question and negative marking for your cycle with the provider.
Plan sleep and meals
Get a normal night's sleep and eat a light, familiar breakfast. Avoid new foods or heavy caffeine on test day.
Dress sensibly
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for security screening. Confirm any dress restrictions (for example on shoes or accessories) with the provider.
Backup plan for transport
Identify a secondary route and a contact number for the centre. Build in a buffer for traffic, weather and security queues.
Plan the day
Re-read the admit card instructions line by line and note reporting time, centre address and prohibited items. Do one or two timed full-length practice sets rather than learning new topics. Revise formula sheets, current-affairs notes and your own error log. Pack your documents and stationery in one bag and keep it by the door. Confirm your transport plan and, if travelling, your accommodation.
Do a light revision of high-yield notes only; stop heavy study by evening. Check the centre route and travel time at the same hour as your reporting time. Lay out clothes, admit card, ID and pen. Set two alarms. Avoid last-minute syllabus panic and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a light breakfast, re-check the bag against the checklist, and leave with a large time buffer. Arrive at the gate early for security and verification. Use waiting time for calm review of key facts, not for cramming new material. Follow invigilator instructions exactly during registration.
Read the instructions and confirm the section structure and timing before starting. Attempt questions in your planned order, flag uncertain ones, and keep an eye on the clock. Apply your negative-marking strategy: skip questions where you cannot eliminate options. Keep the answer sheet or on-screen responses aligned with question numbers, and reserve the last few minutes to check that nothing is left blank by accident.
Rules to check
Carry only the documents and items permitted for your cycle; confirm the exact permitted-items list with the provider before you travel.
Bring the original photo ID that matches your application; a mismatch or a photocopy can lead to refusal of entry. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Reach the centre by the reporting time on your admit card; candidates arriving after gate closure are normally not admitted. Confirm the gate-closing rule with the provider.
Electronic devices and study material are prohibited in the hall; possession can lead to disqualification. Confirm the venue's policy on devices and storage with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, verification and answer-sheet or terminal handling; do not communicate with other candidates during the test.
Understand the scoring rule before you start: AFCAT normally awards marks per correct answer and deducts marks for wrong answers, so blind guessing can hurt your score. Confirm the exact scheme for your cycle with the provider.
Breaks are generally not permitted during the test; plan hydration and restroom use before you enter the hall. Confirm the venue's break policy with the provider.
Any attempt at unfair means, impersonation or tampering with test material is a serious violation and can lead to cancellation of candidature and further action.