AFCAT Normalization Scheme is a process of equalizing AFCAT scores based on a scale. Every right answer receives 3 marks, and for the wrong answer, 1 mark is deducted.
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AFCAT Normalisation Scheme was introduced in 2022 by the IAF to ensure equal opportunity for all of you appearing for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). The AFCAT Normalization formula calculates the mean and standard deviation of each section across all shifts by standardizing each of your raw scores within each section using the z-score formula.
In the AFCAT normalisation process, every correct response receives 3 points, and 1 point is deducted for every wrong response.
AFCAT 2026 Normalisation Scheme
AFCAT Normalisation Scheme is a method to equalize your scores for the exam in various shifts. On the exam day, each exam shift consists of different sets of question papers. Examinees are scored based on the shift difficulty level. It refers to equalizing values to a common scale based on the AFCAT Normalisation formula.
AFCAT Normalisation Formula
The AFCAT normalization formula is established on the concept of standard deviation. There are various variables in the formula for various assumptions. Students can go through the AFCAT Normalisation Scheme formula stated below.
Where,
- M̂ij = Normalised marks of the jth candidate in the “ ith” shift.
- M̅ t g = is the average marks of the top 0.1% of the candidates considering all shifts (the number of candidates will be rounded up).
- Mq g = is the sum of the mean and standard deviation marks of the candidates in the examination considering all shifts.
- M̅ti = is the average marks of the top 0.1% of the candidates in the “ith” shift (the number of candidates will be rounded up).
- Miq = is the sum of mean marks and standard deviation of the “ ith” shift.
- Mij = is the actual marks obtained by the jth candidate in the “ith” shift.
- Mq gm = is the sum of the mean marks of candidates in the shift having the maximum mean and standard deviation of marks of candidates in the examination considering all shifts.
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AFCAT Normalisation Scheme & Notification PDF Links
IAF authorities have released the AFCAT Normalisation Scheme on the official website. You can go through the AFCAT Normalisation Scheme and notification stated below.
| Particulars | PDFs |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Normalisation Scheme | Download Here |
Impact of AFCAT Normalisation Scheme on Results
The AFCAT Normalisation Scheme plays a vital role in determining the AFCAT Result 2026 and cutoff for the exam. The AFCAT Normalisation Scheme factors impacting results are stated below.
- The AFCAT Normalisation Scheme determines an average score based on a formula and shift difficulty.
- In the AFCAT Normalisation Scheme, the values are equalized on a nationality-common scale to get the average results scores.
- Before the Normalisation of the Scheme was introduced, finding the right score for various shift examinees was a daunting task for the IAF authorities. Thus, this scheme brought more convenience and accuracy to getting the right scores for the examinees.
- The AFCAT Normalisation Scheme is also helpful in determining the AFCAT cutoff.
Is AFCAT 2 Normalisation Scheme Applicable in EKT Exam?
Yes, the AFCAT Normalization Scheme is applicable in the EKT exam. The AFCAT Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) is a part of the AFCAT Exam. The ones wanting to join the technical branch of the ground duty of the IAF cadre opt for it while filling out your application form. You are expected to score the qualifying score or more to pass the AFCAT exam. EKT is an optional qualifying test, and the marks are not counted in the AFCAT results.
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AFCAT Marking Scheme
The AFCAT marking scheme is determined by the AFCAT normalization process, where every correct answer receives 3 marks, and for wrong answers, 1 mark is deducted. Further, no marks are awarded for unattempted answers in the exam. You can go through the AFCAT marking scheme tabulated below.
| Particulars | AFCAT Marking Scheme |
|---|---|
| Correct Response | 3 marks (each) |
| Incorrect Response | 1 marks (each) |
| Unattempted Response | 0 marks (each) |
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
The AFCAT exam consists of a total of 100 questions in the AFCAT exam for 300 marks and an EKT test for 50 questions of 150 marks. The EKT exam is optional and is opted for by the aspirants wanting to join the technical branch of IAF. The AFCAT exam is conducted for 2 hours, and the EKT exam is held for 45 minutes on the exam day.
The AFCAT test paper consists of general awareness, verbal ability in English, numerical ability, military reasoning, and aptitude test questions. Besides, the EKT paper contains questions from mechanical, computer science, and electrical & electronics. The medium of instruction in the exam is English, and the exam difficulty is moderate to hard, while the AFCAT syllabus is of graduation level.
You can go through the AFCAT 2026 exam pattern tabulated below.
| Particulars | AFCAT Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Exam Total Marks | 300 |
| AFCAT EKT Exam Total Marks | 150 |
| AFCAT Exam Total Number of Questions | 100 |
| AFCAT EKT Exam Total Number of Questions | 50 |
| Marking Scheme |
+3 marks are awarded for every correct response -1 mark is awarded for every incorrect response 0 mark is awarded for unattempted response |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
| AFCAT Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| AFCAT EKT Exam Duration | 45 minutes |
| Language Medium | English |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| Exam Timings | Shift 1: 9.45 am to 11.45 am (Reporting Time at 7.30 am)Shift 2: 2.15 pm to 4.15 pm (Reporting Time at 12.30 pm) |
Thus, yu mist follow the AFCAT normalization process to understand how the marks will be distributed.
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