Examius
🇺🇸 United States · Civil Service
Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) Syllabus
The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test used to select candidates for U.S. Air Force and Space Force officer commissioning and aircrew training.. The complete Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) outline — 6 subjects, 19 chapters and 65 topics — laid out so you can see exactly what has to be covered and tick each item off as you go.
Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) subjects
Each subject below has its own page with the full chapter → topic → sub-topic tree and a set of real exam-style flashcards.
4 chapters · 15 topics · 35 sub-topics
Quantitative and Mathematical Aptitude3 chapters · 11 topics · 26 sub-topics
Spatial and Perceptual Aptitude3 chapters · 9 topics · 10 sub-topics
Aviation and Aircrew Knowledge3 chapters · 11 topics · 19 sub-topics
Technical and Physical Sciences3 chapters · 10 topics · 14 sub-topics
Aviation Information Processing and Memory3 chapters · 9 topics · 15 sub-topics
Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) flashcard decks
301 question-and-answer cards across 6 decks, written against this syllabus. Preview any deck free.
How to work through the Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus
The outline on this page is arranged the way the syllabus itself is: subject, then chapter, then topic, then sub-topic. That last level is what most study plans skip, and it is where coverage actually goes wrong — a chapter marked "done" often has three sub-topics inside it that were never touched.
Weight your plan accordingly: Verbal Aptitude carries 15 topics while Aviation Information Processing and Memory carries 9. Giving both the same number of weeks is the most common planning mistake for Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT).
The ~75 hour estimate above is a first pass only: roughly 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic. Revision cycles, past papers and mocks sit on top of that number.
Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus FAQ
What subjects are in the Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus?
Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) covers 6 subjects: Verbal Aptitude, Quantitative and Mathematical Aptitude, Spatial and Perceptual Aptitude, Aviation and Aircrew Knowledge, Technical and Physical Sciences and Aviation Information Processing and Memory. Together they contain 19 chapters and 65 named topics.
How many topics does the Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus contain?
The full Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) outline breaks down into 19 chapters, 65 topics and 119 sub-topics. Verbal Aptitude is the largest single subject with 15 topics across 4 chapters.
How long does it take to cover the whole Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus?
Roughly 75 hours for one full pass. That estimate allows about 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic, so it is first-pass coverage — revision, past papers and mock tests sit on top of it. At 3 hours a day that is about 4 weeks.
Are there Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) flashcards?
Yes — 301 question-and-answer flashcards across 6 decks, one per subject, written against this syllabus. A sample of every deck is readable on this site for free, and the complete decks are in the Examius app.
Is this Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus free to use?
Yes. Every page here is free to read, and importing the Officer Candidate / Aptitude tests (AFOQT) syllabus into the Examius app to tick off topics as you finish them is free too, in United States and everywhere else. No account is needed to start.
Related Civil Service syllabuses
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment used by the FAA to select entry-level air traffic controller trainees.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) syllabusThe multiple-aptitude test used by all U.S. military branches to determine enlistment eligibility and job placement.
Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring) syllabusThe merit-based federal hiring system run by the Office of Personnel Management through which most U.S. government jobs are filled and assessed.
FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams syllabusThe multi-phase written and assessment testing process for applicants seeking to become FBI Special Agents.
Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA / Oral Assessment) syllabusThe day-long oral assessment candidates take after passing the FSOT and QEP to qualify as Foreign Service Officers.
Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) syllabusThe written entrance exam administered by the U.S. Department of State for those seeking to become Foreign Service Officers (diplomats).
Law School Admission Test for federal honors / N/A syllabusThe U.S. Secret Service Special Agent entrance process, including the SSF (Special Agent) test and Applicant Physical Abilities Test.
National Police Officer Selection Test (NPOST / Stanard & Associates POST) syllabusA standardized police entrance exam measuring math, reading, grammar, and writing skills for law enforcement applicants.
ParaProfessional / Clerical civil service tests (state & local) syllabusState and municipal civil service examinations (e.g., New York State, California, NYC) used to create eligibility lists for government clerical and administrative jobs.
Browse all 25 Civil Service syllabuses → · All United States exams →