The AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is one of the most competitive exams in India, providing candidates an opportunity to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) as officers in various branches.

With the AFCAT 1 2025 exam approaching, aspirants may feel anxious about how to prepare effectively in just 3 months. However, with a strategic approach and consistent effort, it is absolutely possible to crack the exam.

This article will provide a comprehensive 90-day study plan for the AFCAT exam and address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to guide candidates towards success.

Understanding the AFCAT Exam

The AFCAT exam consists of four main sections:

1. General Awareness (GA) - 25 questions
2. Verbal Ability in English - 25 questions
3. Numerical Ability - 18 questions
4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude - 32 questions

The exam lasts for 2 hours, and the total number of questions is 100, carrying a total of 300 marks. The candidates are expected to have a sound knowledge of general awareness, mathematical aptitude, logical reasoning, and good command over the English language. To crack the exam in three months, it is essential to have a well-structured study plan.

90-Day AFCAT Study Plan

Phase 1: Month 1 - Foundation and Basics

Objective: Focus on building a strong foundation in each subject.

General Awareness (GA):

• Begin with the basics of current affairs. Dedicate an hour every day to reading newspapers (The Hindu, The Times of India) or magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan or Competition Success Review.
• Go through the static GK portion such as history, geography, science, and sports. Make notes for quick revision.

Verbal Ability:

• Focus on improving your vocabulary. Learn 10 new words daily and revise the old ones regularly.
• Practice grammar topics like sentence correction, tenses, and parts of speech. Refer to books like Wren & Martin or Plinth to Paramount for in-depth grammar.
• Solve English comprehension exercises to improve reading speed and accuracy.

Numerical Ability:

• Start with basic arithmetic topics: percentage, profit and loss, time and work, and ratios.
• Practice solving problems from Arihant’s AFCAT Guide or RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude.
• Aim to solve 15–20 questions daily to build speed.

Reasoning and Military Aptitude:

• Focus on topics like blood relations, directions, analogy, coding-decoding, series, and puzzles.
• Practice 15–20 reasoning questions daily.
• Solve at least one puzzle a day to enhance problem-solving abilities.

Weekly Target:

• Cover 5-6 topics in each section.
• Take weekly mock tests to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement.

Phase 2: Month 2 - Practice and Revision

Objective: Increase the pace of study while enhancing your problem-solving speed.

General Awareness (GA):

• Continue reading the newspaper and magazines. Focus on recent developments in science, technology, politics, and sports.
• Revise the static GK topics regularly. Try to recall facts without looking at notes.

Verbal Ability:

• Focus on reading comprehension. Practice 2–3 passages daily and attempt 10–12 questions based on it.
• Continue learning new words, and try to use them in sentences. This helps reinforce memory.
• Practice previous years’ AFCAT English papers.

Numerical Ability:

• Continue solving quantitative problems but focus more on speed.
• Practice time management by solving questions within a limited time frame.
• Dedicate more time to difficult topics like algebra, probability, and geometry.

Reasoning and Military Aptitude:

• Practice a variety of reasoning questions daily, with a focus on solving puzzles and sequences quickly.
• Solve 20-30 reasoning questions within 30 minutes to simulate exam conditions.
• Focus on military aptitude tests which are unique to AFCAT. Study previous year’s question papers to understand the types of questions.

Weekly Target:

• Aim for 2-3 full-length mock tests every week to simulate exam conditions.
• Analyze your mistakes thoroughly and revise accordingly.

Phase 3: Month 3 - Mock Tests and Advanced Revision

Objective: Focus on revision and fine-tuning.

General Awareness (GA):

• By now, your GA should be reasonably strong. Focus on revising your notes, especially facts and figures.
• Continue reading newspapers but spend more time on review and consolidating what you’ve learned.

Verbal Ability:

• Take mock tests focusing on verbal ability. Time yourself and aim for accuracy.
• Focus on improving the reading speed for comprehensions.
• Revise the key grammar rules and practice sentence corrections.

Numerical Ability:

• Practice solving complex questions with higher difficulty levels.
• Revise all important formulas and concepts, especially for topics like speed-time-distance, time and work, and probability.

Reasoning and Military Aptitude:

• Focus on solving puzzles, seating arrangements, and number series within time constraints.
• Complete at least 25-30 reasoning questions within 30 minutes to improve your speed.

Weekly Target:

• Take 3-4 full-length mock tests every week.
• In the last 10 days, reduce the study load to focus purely on revision and clearing any remaining doubts.

Daily Time Allocation (Last 30 Days)

• Morning (2–3 hours): General Awareness, reading newspapers, and revising static GK.
• Mid-Morning (2 hours): Verbal Ability and English comprehension practice.
• Afternoon (2 hours): Numerical Ability – focus on problem-solving and time management.
• Evening (2 hours): Reasoning and Military Aptitude practice.
• Night (1 hour): Solve one full-length mock test weekly.

Important Tips to Crack AFCAT in 3 Months

1. Time Management: In a competitive exam like AFCAT, managing time effectively is crucial. Practice solving questions within the prescribed time limits.
2. Mock Tests: Mock tests help assess your performance and pinpoint weak areas. Try to take at least 3-4 mock tests per week during the last month.
3. Stay Updated: Current affairs are a significant part of the exam. Spend at least 30 minutes daily reading about national and international events.
4. Revision: The last month should be entirely focused on revising all subjects and taking mock tests. Revision solidifies concepts and boosts confidence.
5. Health: Stay fit and well-rested. A sharp mind requires a healthy body.