Joining the Armed Forces Nursing Service (AFNS) is a dream for many aspiring female nurses in Pakistan. The selection process is competitive, and to succeed you need a solid understanding of the test pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategy. In this article, you’ll find all the latest available information for 2025-2026, as well as tips and related guides to help you prepare smartly.
Note: Some details (e.g. question counts, timings) come from reputed site and may get updated any time. Always cross-check with the official notice on joinpakarmy.gov.pk.
What Is AFNS & Why Join
The Armed Forces Nursing Service (AFNS) is part of the Pakistan Army, where female nurses serve not only in medical roles but also as commissioned officers. Your training is usually fully funded, you receive a stipend/salary during training, and after completion, you’ll serve in military health settings.
Two common tracks are:
- BSc Nursing (Cadet entry): For those coming via FSc Pre-Medical
- Trained Nurse Lieutenant: For those already holding nursing qualifications (diploma, generic, etc.)
Because AFNS is prestigious and seats are limited, many qualified candidates compete, making preparation crucial.
Eligibility & Selection Process
Eligibility Criteria
These are the commonly listed criteria from multiple sources:
- Age: 17 to 25 years at time of application
- Gender / Marital Status: Females, unmarried (some sources accept widows/divorced without encumbrances)
- Academic Qualifications:
• Matric (Science) with ~60%
• FSc Pre-Medical (or equivalent, e.g. A-Levels with Biology) with ~50% - Physical Requirements: Minimum height, weight per BMI. Some sources mention 5 feet as minimum height.
- Nationality / Residency: Pakistani nationals (including Azad Kashmir / GB) are eligible. Some sources require dual nationals to relinquish one nationality.
Selection Procedure
- Online Registration via the Pakistan Army recruitment portal
- Initial Test / Written Test (computer-based, at Army Selection & Recruitment Centres)
- Medical Examination & Physical Test (BMI, height, general medical fitness)
- Interview / Selection Board (GHQ / regional boards)
- Training / Commissioning: successful candidates undergo 4 years of BSc Nursing training (for cadet track) and then receive a commission as Lieutenant.
AFNS subjects and marks distribution
After a lot of research, I have compiled the following AFNS Admission Test Pattern and Syllabus for 2025-2026:
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Allotted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Intelligence | ~ 84 | ~ 30 min | Vocabulary, analogies, comprehension, grammar, etc. |
| Non-Verbal Intelligence | ~ 64 | ~ 30 min | Patterns, figural reasoning, series, spatial reasoning |
| Academic Test | ~ 50 | ~ 25 min | MCQs from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English (+ possibly small GK / Islamiat / Pak Studies) |
Passing Criteria:
Many prep sources say you must obtain at least 50% in each section to pass.
Academic Test Pass Mark (example):
One source says for academic portion (50 MCQs), you need ~22 correct answers (≈44%) to pass that segment.
Note: As the official passing criteria and negative marking policy (if any) are not universally confirmed in public sources, always check the official advertisement to verify.
Detailed Syllabus & Topics
Below is a breakdown of topics commonly covered in each section (from prep sites & guides). Use this to map your study plan.
Verbal Intelligence
- Synonyms, antonyms
- Analogies
- Sentence completion, grammar (tenses, parts of speech)
- Idioms & phrases
- Comprehension
- Error correction
- Vocabulary usage
- Verbal reasoning / logical sequence
Non-Verbal Intelligence
- Pattern series, matrix reasoning
- Mirror images, rotation
- Figure analogies
- Spatial / shape reasoning
- Series and relationships
- Abstract reasoning
Academic Portion
The majority of the academic MCQs come from FSc Pre-Medical level (for cadet entrants). Topics include:
Biology
- Cell biology & structure
- Physiology (human body systems: digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, reproductive, excretory)
- Genetics & inheritance
- Ecology & environment
- Plant & animal kingdoms
- Microbiology & immunology basics
- Evolution, biodiversity, taxonomy
Chemistry
- Atomic structure
- Chemical bonding
- Periodic table & periodic trends
- Mole concept, stoichiometry
- Reactions (acid-base, redox)
- States of matter, solutions, mixtures
- Organic chemistry basics (hydrocarbons, functional groups)
- Gas laws
Physics
- Units & measurements
- Mechanics (laws of motion, forces)
- Work, energy, power
- Heat, thermodynamics
- Waves, sound, light
- Electricity & magnetism basics
- Optics
English
- Grammar (tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, active/passive voice)
- Comprehension passages
- Vocabulary, antonyms/synonyms
- Sentence correction
- Spelling, idioms, phrases
Additional / Minor Topics
Some sources mention including Pakistan Studies, Islamic History / Islamiat, and General Knowledge with a few MCQs.
AFNS Preparation Guide
Start with a strong foundation
Study your FSc Pre-Medical textbooks thoroughly, especially Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These are your core sources.
Intelligence (Verbal & Non-Verbal) drills
Practice reasoning puzzles daily. Use past test books or online platforms to build speed and accuracy.
Simulate the test conditions (same timing, same number of questions). This will help you get used to pressure and pacing.
Section-wise focus
If you are weak in one area, dedicate extra time. For example, if your non-verbal reasoning is weak, practice that more.
Practicing past questions gives you familiarity with the style and difficulty.
Review frequently
Don’t just attempt — review incorrect answers, understand mistakes, revise weak topics.
Stay updated
Watch tutorial videos, read nutrition content, and keep up with current affairs for GK bits (if included).
Related Posts You Should Read
To complement this guide, here are three related articles that can help you deepen your preparation:
These links can help with decision making, practice, and guided online preparation.