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Best Reference Books For Class 12 CBSE Chemistry 2026
Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026: Class 12th is one of the most important classes of a student’s life, as the marks of class 12th play an important role in getting admission to any college/university, which ultimately shapes a career. Chemistry is one of the major subjects of the CBSE 12th exams, so it is vital to choose the best reference books for class 12 CBSE Chemistry exam for the next academic session 2026. The chemistry subject also holds great significance in regional boards as well as in various engineering and medical entrance exams like JEE Main, NEET and others. Below we have provided the list of the Best reference books for CBSE Class 12 chemistry 2026 free, which will be helpful for students.
This Story also Contains
- Why Use Reference Books?
- Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026 Free
- How to Choose the Best Reference Book for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026?
- Benefits of Using Chemistry Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 2026
- CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus
- How to Prepare for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry?
- Tips to Score High in Chemistry
Why Use Reference Books?
Students should first complete the NCERT Class 12 textbook for Chemistry before going for any reference book for Class 12 Chemistry, which will clear the concepts for the student. It also allows students to practice with various kinds of questions asked in the exams. These reference books are also helpful for covering the concepts of the JEE Main syllabus and NEET syllabus.
Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026 Free
NCERT 12 Chemistry books are the ones that are first recommended for CBSE class 12 exam preparation. The board recommends two books for the preparation for chemistry exams; both of them are helpful to clear the basic concepts. Students will find plenty of examples and questions to understand the concepts. Below is the list of books prescribed by CBSE for class 12 chemistry.
Book name | Author/Publication |
Chemistry Part -I, Class-XII | NCERT |
Chemistry Part -II, Class-XII | NCERT |
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After completing the NCERT basic books, students can go for the CBSE best reference book for class 12 chemistry. This will help to prepare better for the Class 12 chemistry exam and allow you to practice more questions, which will give the more confidence. By practising more questions, students can become comfortable with most types of questions. Below is the list of some of the best reference books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026 preparations; check out the list.
| Category | Book Name | Author/Publisher | Key Features |
| Must-Have (NCERT) | Chemistry Part I & Part II (Class 12) | NCERT | Essential for CBSE/ISC, simple explanations, exam-oriented |
| Theory & Concepts | Modern’s ABC of Chemistry | S.P. Jauhar | Detailed explanations, good for boards & competitive exams |
| Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry | Pradeep Publications | Well-structured, great for CBSE & ISC | |
| Inorganic Chem | Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee | Advanced reference (JEE/NEET level) |
| Physical Chem | Problems in Physical Chemistry | Narendra Awasthi | Best for numerical practice |
| Organic Chem | GRB Organic Chemistry | O.P. Tandon | Excellent for reactions & mechanisms |
| Practice (Board) | Together with Chemistry | Rachna Sagar | Sample papers, extra questions |
| Xam Idea Chemistry | Editorial Board | Previous year questions, CBSE-focused | |
| Competitive (JEE/NEET) | Physical Chemistry | P. Bahadur | Good for JEE numericals |
| Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd | Advanced reference for organic chemistry | |
| Solved Papers | CBSE Chapter-wise Solved Papers | Arihant | Past year questions with solutions |
Best Reference Books for CBSE 12 Chemistry (Recommended by Toppers)
While interacting with previous years' toppers, we found a few highly preferred CBSE chemistry class 12 best reference books. Check them out.
CBSE Chapterwise Solutions—Chemistry: A Collection of Fully Solved Questions Asked in Examination by Purnima Sharma
Concise Inorganic Chemistry, 5th Edition (Paperback) by J. D. Lee
Modern’s ABC of Chemistry (Part 1 & 2) (With CD) by S. P. Jauhar
Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry Class-XII (Set Of 2 Volumes) by Pradeep Publications
How to Choose the Best Reference Book for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026?
There are some key points that students need to keep in mind while buying the CBSE best reference book for class 12 chemistry. Below, we have listed some of the common and important things that need to be considered while choosing the CBSE chemistry class 12 best reference books.
The language of the book should be simple and easy to understand. This is a key point, as it plays a crucial role in understanding the concepts quickly and should be kept in mind while choosing the CBSE reference book for class 12 chemistry.
The best reference book for class 12 chemistry should cover and explain all concepts and topics in detail. This will help to understand topics from basic to advanced.
The book should contain an explanation of formulas and numericals to remember and solve easily.
An illustration is also an important thing to look at; the best reference books for class 12 CBSE chemistry should have graphs, diagrams, tables, and others.
Look for the syllabus; the book should have all topics, concepts, and chapters as per the CBSE class 12 syllabus of chemistry.
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Benefits of Using Chemistry Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 2026
One of the main benefits of using reference books for CBSE class 12 chemistry is to learn and practice concepts and questions clearly. This will help in scoring high marks in the examination. Below are some benefits of considering the best reference books for class 12 chemistry.
NCERT books offer limited knowledge related to topics, and with this, you cannot solve the entire question paper comfortably. In these CBSE reference books for class 12 chemistry, students can get detailed information in simple language.
Students will get a gamut of questions to solve on a particular topic. This will prepare students to tackle various difficulty levels.
Students can also take the help of such books to prepare for different entrance exams such as JEE Main, NEET-UG.
Students can check different practical applications of formulas and explanations.
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus
After the exam pattern, it’s time to check the CBSE 12 Chemistry syllabus thoroughly, as it helps the aspirants to select the best book for chemistry reference for class 12 CBSE Chemistry. The highlights of the syllabus are given in the table below:
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus
S.No. | Units | Marks |
1. | Solutions | 7 |
2. | Electrochemistry | 9 |
3. | Chemical Kinetics | 7 |
4. | d- and f-Block Elements | 7 |
5. | Coordination Compounds | 7 |
6. | Haloalkanes and Haloarenes | 6 |
7. | Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers | 6 |
8. | Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids | 8 |
9. | Amines | 6 |
10. | Biomolecules | 7 |
Total | 70 | |
The Exam Paper pattern of Chemistry for Board 2025-26 is shown below:
Section | Q. no. | Marks (each question) | Marks (each section) | Choice availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | 1-16 | 1 | 16 | No |
B | 17-21 | 2 | 10 | Internal choice |
C | 22-28 | 3 | 21 | Internal choice |
D | 29-30 | 4 | 8 | Internal choice |
E | 31-33 | 5 | 15 | Internal choice |
Total | 70 |
Also, check:
How to Prepare for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry?
- Prepare all topics and concepts from NCERT books and take help from the CBSE Class 12 chemistry best reference book. After that, start practicing questions from the best reference books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry.
Study the exam syllabus and pattern thoroughly to be aware of important topics, types of questions, and weightage. Also, check the CBSE 12th date sheet and calculate the remaining days. Now, make a study schedule and a preparation plan.
Solve CBSE 12th question papers to practice with the types of questions asked in the exam. This will help them to deal with real examination questions.
Make a proper study timetable and try to stick to it. Remember to include short breaks as well to avoid boredom.
Revise all important topics, concepts, and points regularly.
Tips to Score High in Chemistry
Here are some more tips to score better in chemistry. Make sure to follow them.
- Focus more on high-weightage chapters.
- As direct questions from NCERT are asked, make sure to follow NCERT and practice as many questions from NCERT as possible.
- Don't just memorise the concept, but focus on the concept's clarity.
- Organic chemistry is mainly focused on reactions. Make sure to focus on reactions as much as possible. Direct questions are asked about name reactions.
- Inorganic chemistry consists of some periodic trends. So you need to memorise them.
- In physical chemistry, keep revising the formulas and keep practising numericals.
Also Check,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which is better, Pradeep or Modern ABC for chemistry?
A:
Both books are good for the board exam and competitive exams, but if you are targeting only the board, then focus on Modern ABC, and if you are targeting the board as well as JEE Main or NEET, then follow Pradeep.
Q: Is Class 12 chemistry tough?
A:
The syllabus is a bit long, and students may find some difficulties, but regular study can help a lot. Along with that, follow some best reference books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026 to prepare effectively for the exam.
Q: Is NCERT sufficient for class 12 chemistry?
A:
Yes, NCERT is sufficient for Board exam and competitive exams like JEE Main, NEET and other state engineering ebtrance exams, but also use reference books for more confidence and clarity of the concepts.
Q: How weightage is divided between Internal and External assessment in Chemistry board exam?
A:
The external exam contributes in 70 marks while remaining 30 contributes in Internal assesment.
Q: Which book is best for chemistry class 12?
A:
Students should first refer to the NCERT textbook of 12th class for Chemistry. After that, other reference books can be used for concept clarity which have been mentioned above in the article.
Q: Which is the toughest chapter in Class 12 Chemistry?
A:
All the chapters are designed by board as per student's learning capability. But some students found Organic Chemistry difficult. So pay some extra attention to this to ace the exam.
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On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to CBSE Class 12th ?
Hello
Yes, if you’re not satisfied with your marks even after the improvement exam, many education boards allow you to reappear as a private candidate next year to improve your scores. This means you can register independently, study at your own pace, and take the exams without attending regular classes. It’s a good option to improve your results and open up more opportunities for higher studies or careers. Just make sure to check the specific rules and deadlines of your education board so you don’t miss the registration window. Keep your focus, and you will do better next time.
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, in the case that you appeared for the 2025 improvement exam and your roll number is different from what was on the previous year’s marksheet, the board will usually release a new migration certificate. This is because the migration certificate will reflect the most recent exam details, roll number and passing year. You can apply to get it from your board using the process prescribed by them either online or through your school/college.
Yes, if you miss the 1st CBSE exam due to valid reasons, then you can appear for the 2nd CBSE compartment exam.
From the academic year 2026, the board will conduct the CBSE 10th exam twice a year, while the CBSE 12th exam will be held once, as per usual. For class 10th, the second phase exam will act as the supplementary exam. Check out information on w hen the CBSE first exam 2026 will be conducted and changes in 2026 CBSE Board exam by clicking on the link .
If you want to change your stream to humanities after getting a compartment in one subject in the CBSE 12th Board Exam , you actually have limited options to qualify for your board exams. You can prepare effectively and appear in the compartment examination for mathematics again. If you do not wish to continue with the current stream, you can take readmission in the Humanities stream and start from Class 11th again, and continue studying for two more years to qualify for the 12th examination.
The GUJCET Merit List is prepared based on the Class 12th marks and GUJCET marks received by the students. CBSE students who are not from the Gujarat board can definitely compete with GSEB students, as their eligibility is decided based on the combined marks scored by them in GUJCET and the 12th board. The weightage of the GUJCET score is 40% and the weightage of the class 12 scores is 60%.
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