Class 12

Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Science

Ajay SharmaAjay Sharma23 May 2026
Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Science

Every student wishes to get good marks in the 12th standard. So that his parents, family, friends, and relatives can feel proud of him. However, simply studying is not enough to achieve good marks; for that, you need good reference books and proper guidance. This will make a difference in your preparation. While the NCERT books are sufficient in themselves, some concepts within them are not explained as clearly as they are in reference books. A survey report by Statista shows that 74% of Indians rely on private tuition and external books for test preparation to achieve a good score. Furthermore, data reports from the National Testing Agency (NTA) also indicate that more than 11 lakh students take the JEE Main examination every year. Meanwhile, over 20 lakh people registered for NEET. For these competitive exams, students find it necessary to rely on reference books.

Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Science

Subject

Book Name

Best For

Difficulty Level

Physics

  • S.L. Arora

  • H.C. Verma

  • David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker

  • S.K. Singh

Board Exams and Competitive Exams

Easy to Medium

Chemistry

  • Modern’s ABC

  • O.P. Tandon

  • S.C. Kheterpal, S.N. Dhawan, P.N. Kapil

  • J.D. Lee

  • R.C. Mukerjee

Board + Basic Entrance and Physical Chemistry

Medium to Hard

Mathematics

  • R.D. Sharma

  • Pradeep’s

  • Prem Kumar

  • Dhanpat Rai

Complete Mastery and Diagrams & Boards

Medium

Biology

  • P.S. Verma, B.P. Pandey

  • Arihant Experts


 

S. Chand’s Biology for Class XII and CBSE Biology Chapterwise Solved Papers

Medium


Things to Check Before Buying a Reference Book

Before purchasing a Class 12 reference book, first verify whether it actually contains the latest CBSE syllabus. Pick a good book that uses simple language and provides clarity on all the necessary concepts. Make sure beforehand that it contains solved examples and solved past board examination papers. Also, ensure beforehand that you have mind maps, flowcharts, clear diagrams, and graphs ready, as all of these make last-minute revision much easier. Voluminous books only serve to cause stress; therefore, always keep this in mind: reference books should be used strictly as references. Otherwise, NCERT books alone are more than sufficient to achieve a good score. 

Here are a few of the most important things to check before buying any reference or practice book: 

  • 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
     

Conclusion
 

By choosing the right reference books for CBSE Class 12 Science, you can take your entire board exam preparation to a whole new level. When I was in school, I bought four different physics reference books, which ended up causing me more panic than help. Seeing the various types of numerical problems made me feel like I didn't know how to solve any of them, which caused my confidence down. Last month, I focused solely on the NCERT book, which helped me gain clarity on the concepts; subsequently, I practiced using reference books. So, make sure you do not repeat this same mistake. Choose one high-quality book for each subject and stick to it. 

 

Furthermore, manage your time effectively: dedicate half of it to self-study and the other half to clarifying concepts using your course books. This approach will enable you to prepare for your board exams without experiencing burnout. Create a perfect study schedule that works for Board students. Stay consistent with your studies. Granted, the 12th grade is tough, but you are tougher. Just keep practicing numerical problems continuously and stay focused. You will pass your board exams with excellent scores.
 

Ajay Sharma

Written by

Ajay Sharma

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions & more.

Yes, you can score well in Chemistry and Biology by studying only from the NCERT. However, for Mathematics and Physics, you will need reference books to solve various types of numerical problems.

It is not strictly necessary that you use R.D. Sharma. If you find R.D. Sharma is too difficult, you can use R.S. Aggarwal instead.

Among NEET toppers, Trueman's Biology and H.C. Verma are very popular choices for Biology and Physics, respectively.