Best Books for CBSE Class 10 and 12

When students enter board year, a unique psychological “switch” flips and they have a different enthusiasm. From the very beginning, each student makes a decision that, as the teacher teaches the topic, they will also learn along with him. This is because they often view their studies from the perspective of a larger, long-term goal for the first time. This is not just about board students who feel this way, a "board year" creates a unique emotional dynamic that resonates with everyone around them. Their teachers, friends, and family all carry their own mix of anxiety and excitement.
They share strategy, planning, and reference books for board exam preparation based on their experience or hearsay. Hearing different opinions confuses students as to which thing is the best to score well in the board exam. So here we have provided a list of the best reference books for CBSE Class 10 & 12 so that they can easily find out which reference book they should read without any confusion.
It's important to realise that more books do not mean better learning. Better clarity comes from the right books. And, reference books are only useful if used properly. With thorough explanations, excellent practice questions, and targeted exam practice, the best reference books help you advance your preparation. It makes tough topics easier and increases your confidence before exams. And helps you to score 100% in CBSE class 10th and 12th.
Things to Know Before Choosing a Reference Book
Before buying or using any reference book, take a moment and think about what your needs are that the reference book will fulfill. Many students buy reference books simply because they see their friends or classmates doing so, or because a senior suggests them, or because they see YouTube or social media videos about these books. But then, these books keep gathering dust on the shelf.. Before purchasing any reference book, it is best to give it careful thought. Your problems should be resolved by a reference book, not create new ones.
The first and most important rule: NCERT first, reference books second
NCERT books are considered the best for 10th and 12th-grade students. Because of their simple and easy to understand content with relevant questions, examples, diagrams, and flowcharts, making them a popular choice among students. Once you complete the NCERT books, you will get an idea about your weak areas, focus on that, and then buy reference books. Here are a few of the most important things to check before buying:
Check the latest syllabus year
Language should be simple and easy to understand
Clear connection with NCERT concepts
A good number of solved examples
Enough practice questions for each chapter
Diagrams, pictures, and mind maps included
Chapter-wise structure
Board-style questions included
Sample answers written in a clear format
Not too lengthy or bulky
The latest exam pattern covered
Suitable for self-study
Easy to revise before exams
List of Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Subject-wise
Check out the best reference books for the CBSE class 10th Subject-wise:
Subject | Book Name & Author |
Mathematics |
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Science |
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English |
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Social Science |
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Hindi |
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List of Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Subject-wise
Check out the best reference books for the CBSE class 12th Subject-wise:
Subject | Reference Book | Author / Publisher |
Mathematics | Mathematics for Class 12 | R.D. Sharma |
CBSE Examination Mathematics – 15 Sample Question Papers | Prem Kumar | |
Solutions of Objective Mathematics with Chapter Tests | Dhanpat Rai | |
Physics | Concepts of Physics (Vol. 1 & 2) | H.C. Verma |
Fundamentals of Physics | David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker | |
CBSE Chapterwise Solved Papers | S.K. Singh | |
Chemistry | Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry (Vol I & II) | S.C. Kheterpal, S.N. Dhawan, P.N. Kapil |
Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee | |
Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | R.C. Mukerjee | |
Biology | S. Chand’s Biology for Class XII | P.S. Verma, B.P. Pandey |
CBSE Biology Chapterwise Solved Papers | Arihant Experts | |
Accountancy | Accountancy for Class 12 | T.S. Grewal |
Analysis of Financial Statements Class XII | Shelly Goel, Rajesh Goel, D.K. Goel | |
Accountancy for Class 12 | Sandeep Garg | |
Business Studies | Business Studies for Class 12 | Subhash Dey |
ABD’s Bull’s Eye Business Studies Case Studies | Neeru Sethi | |
Economics | Introductory Macroeconomics for Class 12 | Sandeep Garg |
Introductory Micro Economics Class 12 | T.R. Jain, V.K. Ohri | |
Computer Science | CBSE All In One Computer Science with Python | Neetu Gaikwad |
Computer Science with Python | Sumita Arora | |
English (Core) | Flamingo & Vistas (NCERT) | NCERT |
English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | |
Psychology | Psychology Explained – Class 12 | Rajeev Soni |
Introduction to Psychology (7th Edition) | Clifford T. Morgan | |
Political Science | Political Science for Class 12 | V.K. Puri |
Full Marks Political Science | Full Marks | |
Geography | Geography for Class 12 | Satish Brothers |
CBSE Chapterwise Solved Papers – Geography | Arihant Experts | |
History | Xam Idea History Class 12 | Xam Idea Editorial Board |
CBSE All In One History Class 12 | Amibh Ranjan, Madumitta Pattrea | |
Sociology | CBSE All In One Sociology Class 12 | Reena Kar, Rajpriya Verma |
CBSE Question Bank Sociology | Oswaal Editorial Board |
Pros and Cons of Buying Reference Books
Pros | Cons |
Makes hard topics feel very easy. | Can be very wordy and time-consuming. |
Covers extra questions for high scores. | Can make you ignore the NCERT "basics." |
Best for last-minute summaries. | Usually very heavy and hard to carry. |
Wrap-up
Reference books are just for practice, more and more questions, they do not do any magic. I remember when I was in 10th grade, I bought a math reference book because my topper friend was using it. I couldn't even solve three questions. I became stressed because I studied a lot but I am unable to solve these questions. After that, I discussed it with my maths teacher, who explained to me and suggested focusing on NCERT initially. So, don't buy a book just because someone else has it. Finish your NCERT first. Buy a reference book only when you feel you need more practice. Too many books create a lot of confusion.
Yes, of course, the best reference books can make a big and positive difference in your CBSE board exam preparation. RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal, HC Verma, and Lakhmir Singh are trusted names of reference books because of their concepts clearance explanation. You should make notes on a regular basis on the topics that you covered, as well as write formulas and equations. Highlight important concepts that are asked in past years and revise them daily. You should study regularly. Manage your time well. The CBSE board exam is very important, so you should solve a lot of question papers and mock tests for the board exam. This will help you do well on the CBSE board exam, or this is the only way to perform well in exams, no matter how easy or difficult the paper level is. Success in the CBSE board exams depends only on this, not on how many hours you sit at your desk or how heavy your reference books are. And also how well you manage to overcome exam stress from your mind and body in these last weeks.
Before choosing the best reference book, check these things that are:
Follows the latest CBSE syllabus
Uses simple language
Easy to revise and suitable for self-study
Is clearly linked to NCERT concepts
Has solved examples and board-style questions

Written by
Niranjan Sharma
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your questions & more.
No. NCERT is sufficient. Reference books only help with practice.
Never skip NCERT. Board paper setters use NCERT as their primary source for keywords and diagrams. Use the “all-in-one” guide only to better understand a topic or to solve more problems.
The right time to start using a reference is once you finished your NCERT syllabus and know about your weak areas, and purchase a reference book accordingly and use it for practice, more questions from those topics or chapters.
Before choosing the best reference book, check these things that are: - Follows the latest CBSE syllabus - Uses simple language - Is clearly linked to NCERT concepts - Has solved examples and board-style questions - Is easy to revise and suitable for self-study