NCERT Books are Enough for JEE Preparations
If you are an aspirant for JEE conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), we are sure you have been burning the midnight oil for long. Your preparations have been primarily two-pronged, one for the board exams and the other for the JEE. You might have been at your wit’s end as to which reference books you should consult and which you would not bother to go through, right? Well, let us give you a small bit of advice here. Study the NCERT books from cover to cover religiously and trust us, you will crack the exam like a pro.
Why Are NCERT Books Considered To Be Enough?
There are not one or two reasons for the answer to this “why” but quite a few of them. Let us point them out to you so that you understand the relevance of the NCERT books for JEE preparations in a better way.
1. Numericals? Not a Problem
Whichever subject you choose to start your preparation from, you have to face mathematics and that’s why you are required to have a mastery over numerical abilities. It is true that JEE question paper consists of problems that toy with your thinking ability and you need to practice more than textbooks. But over the years, problems from NCERT books have also appeared in the question paper. Practising class 11 and 12 NCERT solutions will help you crack advanced problems of complex numbers, coordinate geometry, vectors and mathematical reasoning etc.
2. Inorganic Chemistry in order
Be it questions on p-block elements or inorganic reactions, JEE Main question paper always have them directly from the NCERT books. Read and revise the Class 11 and 12 NCERT Chemistry solutions vigorously for handling inorganic chemistry well. But for Physical Chemistry, we recommend reference JEE Main books.
3. Physics Basics
Are the JEE Physics problems and the NCERT book problems of the same difficulty level? No, certainly not. But reading the class 11 and 12 Physics textbooks will clear your basic concepts. This will help you in gripping the advanced study material on electromagnetism, fluid mechanics etc. All the basic concepts are vividly clear in NCERT books. Thus knowing how to answer and tackle a question in JEE will be an easy breezy job. Know the basics, crack the advanced- that’s the motto here.
4. Toppers’ Recommendation
Hear it from the toppers who had already been there, done that. Not a year goes by when toppers do not recommend going through NCERT books wholeheartedly. The chapter summaries in the NCERT books are utterly useful for revising when the exam knocks at the door. These books strengthen your foundation and make you more apt in having a firm grip on the advanced concepts and problems, the toppers opine.
So, grab your NCERT textbooks today and follow the concepts blindly and memorise them by heart. This way scoring the cut-off marks will be an easier task as you will be able to handle and solve the advance level problems. NCERT books do have their benefits in making you prepared for JEE and scoring more marks.
FAQs on NCERT Books are Enough for JEE Preparations
1. Are NCERT books sufficient for JEE Main 2026 preparation?
No, relying solely on NCERT books is generally not sufficient to achieve a top rank in JEE Main. While NCERTs are indispensable for building a strong conceptual foundation and are directly aligned with the JEE syllabus, they often lack the depth of problem-solving required for Physics and Mathematics. For Chemistry, NCERT is highly crucial and can form the bulk of your preparation, but for the other subjects, it must be supplemented with advanced reference books and extensive problem practice.
2. How important is NCERT for JEE Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics respectively?
The importance of NCERT varies significantly across the three subjects for JEE preparation:
- Chemistry: Extremely important. For Inorganic Chemistry, NCERT is considered the definitive book, with many questions asked directly from its text. For Organic and Physical Chemistry, it provides a solid theoretical base.
- Physics: NCERT is good for understanding fundamental concepts and theory clearly. However, the level of numerical problems is not sufficient for JEE. It should be used as a starting point before moving to advanced problem-solving books like H.C. Verma.
- Mathematics: NCERT serves only as an introductory text. The concepts are explained, but the problems are too simple for the JEE level. Aspirants must solve problems from specialised JEE Maths books to develop the required speed and application skills.
3. Is NCERT Chemistry enough to score high marks in the JEE Main Chemistry section?
For the JEE Main Chemistry section, NCERT is the most critical resource and can help you score very high marks. Many questions, especially in Inorganic Chemistry, are direct theoretical questions, reactions, or property trends taken from the NCERT textbook. For Organic Chemistry, it provides a strong foundation for all basic mechanisms and name reactions. For Physical Chemistry, while the theory is well-covered, you must practice a higher level of numerical problems from other sources. A thorough reading of NCERT is non-negotiable for Chemistry.
4. Why do toppers and teachers always recommend starting with NCERT for JEE preparation?
Toppers and teachers recommend starting with NCERT for several strategic reasons. Firstly, it ensures 100% coverage of the official JEE syllabus in a simple, easy-to-understand language. This builds a strong and clear conceptual foundation. Secondly, it prevents students from getting overwhelmed by complex reference books at the beginning of their preparation. Mastering NCERT first ensures that the fundamentals are solid before tackling higher-level application-based problems, which is a crucial step for success in JEE.
5. How can I effectively use NCERT books to maximize my score in JEE Main?
To effectively use NCERT for JEE, you should adopt a multi-layered approach. First, read each chapter line-by-line, paying close attention to diagrams, tables, and data, especially in Chemistry and Biology sections of Physics. Second, solve all in-text questions, examples, and end-of-chapter exercises without fail. Third, use NCERT as a primary revision tool, creating short notes from its summary sections. Finally, always use it as the first step before moving to a reference book for advanced problem-solving for a particular topic.
6. If NCERT is a base for JEE Main, is it at all useful for JEE Advanced?
Yes, NCERT is useful but absolutely insufficient for JEE Advanced. For JEE Advanced, a deep understanding of fundamental principles is a prerequisite, which NCERT helps establish. However, the Advanced exam tests the complex application, interlinking of concepts, and analytical skills that are far beyond the scope of NCERT exercises. Students must treat NCERT as the starting block to ensure conceptual clarity but dedicate the majority of their preparation time to solving challenging problems from specialised books designed for JEE Advanced.
7. What are the biggest mistakes students make when relying only on NCERT for JEE?
The biggest mistake is assuming that understanding the theory from NCERT is enough. Students who rely only on NCERT often face these issues:
- Insufficient Problem Practice: They lack the speed and accuracy required for Physics and Maths because they haven't been exposed to a wide variety of problem types.
- Underestimating Application: They fail to develop the skill of applying concepts to new and unfamiliar situations, a hallmark of the JEE papers.
- Ignoring Exam Pattern: They are not prepared for the complexity and format of questions asked in competitive exams, which is very different from board exams. A balanced approach with reference books and mock tests is essential.
