There are only 3 weeks left for AFCAT exam to take place. This exam is a gateway for recruitment at various branches and specialisations of Indian Air Force. AFCAT exam consists of four sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude. In this article, we will focus on the Numerical Ability section and provide some tips and tricks to ace it.
The Numerical Ability section of AFCAT tests your basic mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities. It covers a range of topics which we are mentioning as syllabus below. The section may have 18-20 questions, each carrying three marks. There is also a negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. The total time allotted for the entire exam is two hours, so you have to manage your time wisely and attempt the questions with accuracy.
Here are some strategies to prepare for the Numerical Ability section of AFCAT:
Go through each and every topic mentioned in the syllabus
Before you start your preparation, you should have a clear idea of what topics are included in the Numerical Ability section and how much weightage they carry. Here is the syllabus of this exam:
- Decimal Fraction
- Time and Work
- Average/ Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time & Distance
- Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams)
- Area and Perimeter,
- Probability
- Number System
- Number Series
- Mixture & Allegation Rules
- Clocks
This syllabus will help you to plan your study schedule and focus on important topics.
Evaluate Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Numerical Ability section of AFCAT does not require any advanced or complex mathematics. It only tests your fundamental concepts and formulas. Therefore, you should revise your basics and memorise the important formulas, rules and shortcuts. You can use NCERT books or any other standard reference books to refresh your knowledge. You can also make notes or flashcards of the key points for quick revision. Also, make a note of your weak areas and start putting more effort into them.
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Practice mock tests and previous year papers
The best way to improve your speed and accuracy in the Numerical Ability section is to practice as much as possible. You should solve mock tests and previous year papers regularly to familiarise yourself with the type and level of questions asked in the exam. You should also analyse your performance and keep a track of your All India Rank when you take mock tests. Also, make a note of the questions which you answered incorrectly and ensure that you don’t repeat it in the actual exam.
Get a Hold of Shortcuts and Formulae
Time is of the essence in this exam as you have less time and you need to solve more questions. In the numerical ability section, you can resort to a number of shortcuts which will save you a lot of time. In a similar fashion, you can memorize formulae, squares, cubes, decimal to fraction conversion and vice versa which will again save you a lot of time. Be wary of using shortcuts the basics of which you don’t understand as you may end up answering the questions incorrectly.
Learn time management and elimination techniques
The Numerical Ability section of AFCAT is not very difficult, but it can be time-consuming if you do not apply the right techniques. You should learn how to manage your time effectively and allocate sufficient time for each question. You should also learn how to eliminate the wrong or irrelevant options using logic or approximation methods. This will save you time and increase your chances of getting the correct answer.
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Stay calm and confident
The Numerical Ability section of AFCAT can be stressful for some candidates who are not comfortable with mathematics. However, you should not panic or lose confidence during the exam. You should stay calm and positive and trust your preparation. You should also avoid guesswork or random marking as it can lead to negative marking. You should attempt only those questions that you are sure of or have a high probability of being correct.
The Numerical Ability section of AFCAT is not a hard nut to crack if you follow these tips and strategies. You should practice regularly, revise thoroughly and attempt smartly to ace this section and score well in the exam. All the best!
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