Best Books for CBSE Class 12th Board Exam 2025 | CBSE Reference Books 12th

Best Books for CBSE Class 12th Board Exam 2025 | CBSE Reference Books 12th

Vishal kumarUpdated on 03 Jul 2025, 04:43 PM IST

Class 12 is an important stage of a student’s academic journey. So, choosing the right books for the CBSE Class 12 board exam becomes very important for academic success, as it helps the students in the preparation process and paves the way towards success. This article will help the students choose the best books for CBSE Class 12 board exams and reference materials that align with the latest CBSE syllabus. Below, we have added the list of CBSE Class 12 books of NCERT and other reference guides that can help students with their board preparation.

This Story also Contains

  1. CBSE Class 12 Best Books for Board Exam (Science Stream)
  2. CBSE Class 12 Best Books for Board Exam (Humanities/Art stream)
  3. How to Purchase the Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams
Best Books for CBSE Class 12th Board Exam 2025 | CBSE Reference Books 12th
Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams

CBSE Class 12 Best Books for Board Exam (Science Stream)

As students enter the final year of school, preparing for Class 12 CBSE board exams becomes the top priority. With so much material to cover across subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and more, it's important to have the right study resources on hand. Therefore, to help the students, we have compiled a list of the best books for the CBSE Class 12 board exam.

Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Maths Exams

While preparing for CBSE Class 12 Maths board exams, it is important to choose the right textbooks and reference materials. One of the most recommended books for CBSE Class 12 Maths is the NCERT Class 12 maths textbooks, as it covers the entire syllabus prescribed by CBSE. Below, we have listed the best CBSE Class 12 reference books that can help students prepare for the board examination.

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Book name
Author/Publisher
Description
IIT Mathematics
M. L. Khanna
Comprehensive coverage helps students prepare for competitive exams like JEE advanced problem-solving techniques. Requires strong foundational knowledge.
Senior Secondary School Math 12
RS Aggarwal
Wide coverage of topics; known author; useful for Class 12 preparation.
CBSE Examination Mathematics: 15 Sample Question Papers
Prem Kumar
Provides exam-style practice; tailored for CBSE exams.
Problems Plus In IIT Mathematics
A Das Gupta
Challenging problems; suitable for competitive exam preparation. It might be too difficult for beginners.
Solutions of Objective Mathematics with Chapter Tests
Dhanpat Rai
Objective-type questions practice; chapter-wise tests included.
All-In-One Mathematics
Prem Kumar
Written following the NCERT books, with comprehensive knowledge, suitable for beginners.
Xam Idea for Mathematics
Xam Idea
Last-minute exam preparation covers important and previous-year questions.

Check - Best Reference Books for CBSE 12 Maths


Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Biology Exams

Students preparing for CBSE Class 12 Biology need a strong grasp of concepts, theories, processes, and their applications. The NCERT Class 12 Biology textbooks form the core foundation as they cover the entire syllabus. However, adding them with reference books can greatly enhance students' understanding. Below is the list of the best reference books for the Class 12 biology exam.

Check - Best Reference Book for Class 12 Biology

Book nameAuthor/Publisher

Class 12 Biology textbook

NCERT
Biology by Campbell and Reece
Campbell and Reece

Biology by S. Chand

S. Chand
100 Percent Biology textbook, Class 12 with CBSE chapter-wise, topic-wise question bank, and solved papers

MTG


CBSE question bank for Class 12
Oswal
Trueman’s Elementary Biology for Class 12 and NEET
KN Bhatia and MP Tyagi
CBSE 12 Class Free Mock Test
Boost your exam preparation with our CBSE 12 Class Free Mock Test, designed as per the latest exam pattern.
Attempt Now


Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exams

Chemistry can be a challenging subject, but with the right resources, passing Class 12 CBSE board exams can become achievable. Students can start their preparation with the NCERT Class 12 Chemistry textbook as it covers the whole syllabus. For additional practice and more in-depth explanations, students can use reference books like CBSE Chapterwise Solutions and Modern’s ABC of Chemistry. Below is the list of some best CBSE reference books for CBSE Class 12 examinations.

Check - Best Reference Book for Class 12 Chemistry

Book name
Author/ Publisher
Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry for Class 12 (Vol. 1 and 2)
SC Kheterpal, SN Dhawan, PN Kapil
Modern’s ABC of Chemistry Class 12 (Part 1 and 2)
SP Jauhar
Concise Inorganic Chemistry
JD Lee
Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations
RC Mukherjee
SC Chemistry Class 12: Chemistry Class 12
OP Tandon, AK Virmani, AS Singh
CBSE Chapterwise Solutions—Chemistry (Class 12): A Collection of Fully Solved Questions Asked from 2014 - 2008 Examination Arranged
Purnima Sharma


Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Physics Exams

Physics is a concept-based subject, and it requires lots of dedication, understanding, and practice. While preparing for CBSE Class 12 board exams, students can start studying the NCERT Class 12 Physics book as it contains the entire syllabus and sample questions. Below are the names of a few reference books to help students learn and prepare for the examination.

Check out the best reference books for Class 12 Physics

Book nameAuthor/Publication
Physics part 1NCERT
Physics part 2NCERT
Modern's ABC of Physics for Class 12
Satish K. Gupta
Concepts of Physics, Vol. 1 and 2
H.C. Verma
Fundamental Physics for Class 12
Pradeep
CBSE Chapter-wise Solutions—Physics (Class 12)
S. K. Singh
New Simplified Physics: A Reference Book for Class 12 (Set of 2 Volumes)
Dhanpat Rai
CBSE Sample Question Papers—Physics
Panel Of Experts (excellent for CBSE Class 12 sample papers for practice)
CBSE Chapter-wise Solutions—Physics
Singh S


CBSE Class 12 Best Books for Board Exam (Humanities/Art stream)

Being a student of the humanities stream and preparing for Class 12 CBSE board exams covering a vast syllabus is very challenging. With so much material to cover across subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics are the main subjects. It's important to have the right study resources on hand. Therefore, to help the students, we have compiled a list of the best books for the humanities stream too.

Best Books for CBSE Class 12 History Exams

Due to the vast syllabus, multiple dates, and events to mark to memory, studying history for board exams can be challenging. Critical thinking is necessary to write well-structured answers and comprehend relationships between cause and effect. To enhance your skills, the best books are listed below:

Book name
Publication/ Author
Themes in Indian History—Part 1
NCERT
Themes in Indian History—Part 2
NCERT
Themes in Indian History—Part 3
NCERT

Arihant All-in-One History Class 12th for CBSE Exams

Arihant
Xam idea History Book Class 12th
Xamidea Editorial Board
Oswal Question Bank
Oswal Editorial Board
Golden difference
Sudha Rastogi


Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exams

Complex topics, legal terminologies, and abstract ideas like democracy and federalism make studying polity for board exams difficult. Constitutional provisions and their practical applications are frequently difficult for students to comprehend. The challenge is to accurately interpret questions and write concise, thoughtful responses in a limited amount of time. For enhancing critical thinking, the following books are listed below to ace the subject.

Book name
Publication/Author
Politics in India Since Independence
NCERT
Contemporary World Politics
NCERT
MBD Class 12 Political Science
V. K. Puri

Golden Political Science Class 12

Gulshan Rai and Dr. KK Sharma
Arihant All in one Political science
Arihant
Xam Idea
Xamidea Editorial Board
Oswal Question Bank
Oswal Editorial Board


Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Geography Exams

It takes both theoretical knowledge and practical abilities to comprehend ideas like climate, landforms, and resources. The following books address a variety of subjects, such as demographics, human progress, economic activities, urbanization, and global commerce.

Book name
Author/Publication
Fundamentals of Human Geography
NCERT
India People and Economy
NCERT
Satish Geography For Class 12th CBSE
Satish Brothers
Arihant All in One Geography Class 12
Arihant
Oswal Publishers' Geography Most Likely Question Bank
Oswal Editorial Board


How to Purchase the Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams

To prepare for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams, students can start with NCERT Class 12 textbooks because they cover the entire syllabus. With that, they can use reference books by renowned authors and publishers like HC Verma and Pradeep for subjects like Math, Physics, and Chemistry. Students can visit local bookstores or e-commerce websites to purchase high-quality books.

Tips to Choose the Best Books for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams

Choosing the best books for CBSE Class 12 board exams is very important for effective preparation and academic success. Below are some tips that can help students make the right choices:

  • Students must ensure that the books cover all the topics and chapters. They can refer to NCERT Class 12 textbooks, as they cover all the topics and chapters in the CBSE Class 12 syllabus.
  • They can look for renowned authors' and publishers’ books and ensure that the books include practice questions, exercises, and solved examples for each chapter. It will help with practicing problems and preparing for exams.
  • Choose books that explain concepts clearly and concisely. It will help students understand complex topics and segments.
  • Students can look up books that include the previous year's CBSE Class 12 questions and sample papers to help them with preparation.
  • They can seek recommendations from classmates, teachers, or online reviews from other experts and students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the benefits of using reference books alongside NCERT textbooks for Class 12 board exam preparation?
A:

Reference books help with additional information, and practice questions and they give different perspectives on topics that are available in NCERT textbooks.

Q: Which is the best Physics reference book for Class 12 board exams?
A:

Modern's ABC of Physics for Class 12 by Satish K. Gupta and Pradeep's Fundamental Physics for Class 12 are some of the best reference books for Class 12 Physics exams.

Q: Which is the best Mathematics book for CBSE Class 12 board exams?
A:

One of the best Mathematics books for CBSE Class 12 board exams is the NCERT textbook Class 12, parts 1 and 2. 

Q: Can students rely solely on NCERT books for CBSE Class 12 board exam preparation?
A:

Students can use NCERT books since they provide all the essential information required for Class 12 board exam preparation but for their benefit and additional knowledge, they can use additional reference books, practice papers and guides.

Q: How can students ensure that the books cover all topics and chapters in the CBSE Class 12 syllabus?
A:

Students can look for books that are designed for CBSE Class 12, like NCERT. It covers all the topics and chapters related to the CBSE syllabus.

Q: What criteria can students consider when selecting books for CBSE Class 12 board exams?
A:

While selecting the best books for CBSE Class 12 board exams, students can consider factors like authors and publishers, comprehensive contents, availability of previous year papers, suitability for their learning style etc.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 12th

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%.