Best Books for CBSE Class 12 — Subject Wise
Best reference books for CBSE Class 12 board exam 2026. Subject-wise recommendations beyond NCERT for scoring 90%+.
NCERT is essential, but the right reference books can push your score from 80% to 95%+. Here are subject-wise recommendations with honest reviews.
Science Stream
- Physics — H.C. Verma (concepts) + S.L. Arora (board-focused questions).
- Chemistry — NCERT + MS Chauhan (Organic) + N. Avasthi (Physical).
- Maths — R.D. Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal for extra practice.
- Biology — NCERT is king. Supplement with Trueman's for MCQs.
Commerce Stream
- Accountancy — T.S. Grewal — the standard reference after NCERT.
- Business Studies — NCERT is sufficient for most students.
- Economics — Sandeep Garg (Micro + Macro) for additional clarity.
Important Rule
- Complete NCERT 100% first — no exceptions.
- Use reference books only for extra practice, not as primary material.
- Previous year papers are more valuable than any reference book.
- Do not buy too many books — 1 reference per subject is enough.
Get chapter-wise practice
Super Tutor has CBSE Class 12 chapter-wise practice for all subjects.
Start Practising — FreeRecommendations based on student feedback and topper interviews. Last updated: February 2026.
Turn this into board-exam marks
Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, previous-year questions, and full mock exams matched to your board syllabus — so you revise smarter, not longer.
Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is NCERT enough for CBSE Class 12?
For 85-90%, NCERT is sufficient. For 95%+, you need additional practice from reference books, especially for Physics and Maths.
Should I buy Oswaal or Arihant sample papers?
Both are good. Arihant has slightly harder questions. Oswaal has better formatting. Buy one, not both.