Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026

Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026

Vishal kumarUpdated on 14 Jul 2025, 11:00 AM IST

Are you preparing for the CBSE Class 10 Science Board Exam for the year 2026? This year, the CBSE has introduced a two-phase board exam system. Phase 1 is scheduled in February (mandatory) and Phase 2 in May (optional for improvement or compartment). Both phases have full coverage of the entire syllabus. Now, more than ever, it becomes very important to download the right Science books in PDF form for preparing for both phases. In this article, you will find free downloads of Class 10 Science books, including the NCERT textbook PDF and finest reference guides like Lakhmir Singh, Xam Idea, and Together With-all based on the latest CBSE syllabus. These books help you strengthen your concepts, solve questions, and prepare confidently for both exam phases.

This Story also Contains

  1. Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science
  2. Why Should You Study from Reference Books for Class 10 Science?
  3. How to Choose the Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?
  4. Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 Science Exam 2026?
Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026
cbse 10 science refrance book

Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science

The right reference books can uplift the preparation for Class 10 Science with easy explanations, solved examples, and practice questions beyond the NCERT textbook. Here are the best-recommended and exam-oriented Science guides for CBSE Class 10 students:

Book TitleAuthor/Publisher
Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur Class 10 ScienceS. Chand
Xam Idea Science for Class 10VK Global Publications
Together With Science for Class 10Rachna Sagar
All in One Science Class 10Arihant Publications
Oswaal CBSE Question Bank Class 10 ScienceOswaal Books
Educart Science Question Bank Class 10Educart

Best reference books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 – Includes Lakhmir Singh Physics, Together With Science, Xam Idea Science, and Arihant All in One Science – recommended study guides for high exam scores.

Why Should You Study from Reference Books for Class 10 Science?

Although the NCERT textbook is primarily used as the core book for CBSE Class 10 Science, reference books range wider into in-depth knowledge, understanding, and practice. This is the reason why they shouldn't be skipped:

  • In-depth Conceptual Understanding: These reference textbooks explain in great detail, with examples from life, illustrations, and diagrams, what really happens in the various topics under discussion.
  • Extra Questions for Practice: Solved and unsolved questions, MCQs, case-based questions, assertion-reason-type questions, and HOTS are available to take your preparation a notch higher in the study of these reference books.
  • Board Exam-Oriented Content: Sample papers and last year's questions are available in many reference books that are also updated according to the latest upcoming CBSE syllabus and exam pattern.
  • Time-Saving Revision Notes: Quick summaries and highlights from each chapter help ease and speed up last-minute revisions.
  • Boosts Confidence & Scores: With enough practice and mocks, you get to understand how to handle question typologies better, which eventually translates into higher scores.
  • Helpful for Phase 1 & Phase 2 Exams: From 2026 onwards, with the new two-exam system, these reference books will make it easy for students to get complete preparation for both attempts.
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How to Choose the Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?

There are lots of CBSE books for Class 10 science available in the market. But it is important to choose the best reference book to ace the exam. Here we have listed some points which need to be considered while choosing or buying the best reference books for CBSE Class 10 Science 2026:

  • Syllabus: It is important to match the book's index page with your syllabus before purchasing the CBSE 10th Science reference books. The book you are going to buy should have the complete syllabus to get the desired CBSE 10th result 2026.

  • Examples and Exercise questions: The Best reference books for CBSE Class 10 science must contain solved examples to understand the concepts and exercise questions to practise.

  • Content should be easy to understand, and infographics play an important part in keeping topics remembered, which is the main thing to consider.

CBSE Class 10th Syllabus 2025-26
Students can access the subject-wise CBSE Class 10 syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session.
Check Now

Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 Science Exam 2026?

After choosing the best reference books for Class 10 CBSE Science and knowing the syllabus, the next step is to start preparing for the exam. Here are some tips to be followed to prepare smartly for the exam:

Infographic showing 4 preparation tips for Class 12 board exams – Prepare a study schedule, follow the syllabus and prescribed books, focus on quality over quantity, and solve previous year’s papers. Illustrated with a student studying on a laptop and exam strategy icons

  • Make a proper study plan and devote time to each subject. Also, include the time for habits and interests to keep the mind fresh.
  • Make notes of important topics or highlight the important points from the best reference books for CBSE class 10 Science.

  • Science is divided into three parts: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. One should attend all the lab classes to gain practical knowledge of the concepts, which aids in remembering the facts.

  • The main thing is to use NCERT books to grasp the concepts, then move to other reference books for class 10 Science.

Also Check,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When does the board release the CBSE board exam schedule?
A:

The CBSE 12th exam dates and CBSE 10th timetable for 2026 will be released by CBSE through its official website, cbse.gov.in.

Q: How many chapters are there in Class 10 science books?
A:

According to the latest syllabus, total of 13 chapters in the 10th class science textbook.

Q: How to score 90+ in Science subject in Class 10th CBSE Board?
A:

Complete syllabus within time. Practice numerical, derivations and units in Physics, chemical reaction in Chemistry while neat and well labelled diagram in Biology can really help you in increasing your score.

Q: Which is the best book for CBSE Class 10 Science?
A:

NCERT books are best for starting the exam preparation. But, for advanced level information about topics, use the best reference books for CBSE class 10 science which are mentioned in this page.

Q: What are the total marks of CBSE Class 10 science exam?
A:

The Science exam of Class 10th is held for a total of 80 marks for the theory paper, while 20 marks are reserved for practicals/internal assessment.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 10th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 10th ?

Hello,

If you want to get your 10th marksheet online, you just need to visit an official website like https://www.cbse.gov.in/ or https://results.cbse.nic.in/ for the CBSE board, and for the state board, you can check their website and provide your roll number, security PIN provided by the school, and school code to download the result.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello, if you are searching for Class 10 books for exam preparation, the right study material can make a big difference. Standard textbooks recommended by the board should be your first priority as they cover the syllabus completely. Along with that, reference books and guides can help in practicing extra questions and understanding concepts in detail. You can check the recommended books for exam preparation from the link I am sharing here.
https://school.careers360.com/ncert/ncert-books-for-class-10
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-best-reference-books-for-cbse-class-10-exam

Hello Dinesh !

As per CBSE board guidelines for internal assessment for class 10th you will have to give a 80 marks board exam and 20 marks internal assessment. The internal assessment will be at the end of your year.

For knowing the definite structure of the internal assessment you will have to ask your teachers or your seniors in the school as CBSE has provided flexibility in choosing the methods of internal assessment to schools. For more details related to assessment scheme for class 10 given by CBSE you can visit: Assessment scheme (http://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/CurriculumMain2Sec/Curriculum_Sec_2021- 22.pdf)

I Hope you have understood it!

Hello

You asked about Class 10 sample paper board exam and most important questions. Practicing sample papers and previous year questions is one of the best ways to prepare for the board exam because it gives a clear idea of the exam pattern and types of questions asked. Schools and teachers usually recommend students to solve at least the last five years question papers along with model papers released by the board.

For Class 10 board exams, the most important areas are Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and Hindi or regional language. In Mathematics, questions from Algebra, Linear Equations, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Probability are repeatedly seen. For Science, the key chapters are Chemical Reactions, Acids Bases and Salts, Metals and Non metals, Life Processes, Heredity, Light and Electricity. In Social Science, priority should be given to Nationalism, Resources and Development, Agriculture, Power Sharing, Democratic Politics, and Economics related topics. In English, focus on unseen passages, grammar exercises, and important writing tasks like letter writing and essays.

CBSE Sample Papers 2026: How to Download

Follow these steps to access the SQPs and marking schemes:

Step 1: Visit https://cbseacademic.nic.in/

Step 2: Click on the link titled “CBSE Sample Papers 2026”

Step 3: A PDF will open with links to Class 10 and 12 sample papers

Step 4: Select your class (Class 10 or Class 12)

Step 5: Choose your subject

Step 6: Download both the sample paper and its marking scheme





If you are looking for Class 10 previous year question papers for 2026 preparation, you can easily access them through the links I’ll be attaching. These papers are very helpful because they give you a clear idea about the exam pattern, marking scheme, and the type of questions usually asked in board exams. Practicing these will not only improve your time management but also help you identify important chapters and commonly repeated questions.
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-previous-year-question-papers-class-10
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-previous-year-question-papers