Relying on NCERT Books for NEET? Know If It Is the Right Way!
We have all heard this since our childhood that hard work will bear fruits. That is true for most cases in life. But for qualifying an exam as tough as NEET, hard work alone is not going to be the key to success. What is more important than hard work is smart work. Hard work guided through the right directions under the right guidance is smart work. It makes no sense to put effort into things that are not going to benefit you. Your greatest weapon in this competition is the books that you follow. Working smartly in such a setup is to read the right books and practice the right way to achieve your goals. So, naturally, the books that you choose to follow play a very important role in your NEET results.
NCERT Books and NEET
In the market, there are hundreds of books available for each subject; some are textbooks while others are question banks. As a student you may be confused about which book to follow. But you all must have come across people saying how NCERT is a good book to follow. However, you may still be confused about relying on NCERT for NEET preparations. In this article, we shall talk about the efficiency of NCERT as a textbook for the preparation of NEET exams.
If you ask experts and toppers straight up whether NCERT book to follow for NEET exam preparation, most of them will say yes. It is indeed the ideal book to be followed for NEET preparation. You may still be unsure about it so in this part of the report, we shall put forward points that will help you understand the importance of NCERT in NEET preparation.
Why Relying on NCERT is the Best Option for NEET Preparations?
You can bank upon your NCERT books for NEET preparations for the following reasons:
Syllabus
The syllabus of NCERT is designed in such a way that the syllabus is concurrent with the syllabus of NEET exams. Therefore reading class 12 and class 11 books will help you cover the entire syllabus of the NEET exams easily.
Weightage
It is known by all that most of the questions of the NEET exams are modelled from the NCERT books and NCERT Solutions. When compared to other available books, NCERT stands out as 60-70% of the questions are asked directly from NCERT. This means that carefully learning the NCERT books can guarantee success.
Questions
NCERT books contain a number of solved questions for each chapter as examples. The books also have plenty of test questions for the students to solve on their own. Solving these questions will help strengthen your base and give you an idea of the probable questions. You can note down the questions that were asked in NEET exams of the previous years. This will help you have an idea of the types of questions and the parts of the chapter that should be focused on.
Language
CBSE NCERT is written in simple, easy-to-understand language. This helps the students to focus on the important topics and retain the harder concepts in memory.
So, reading NCERT is, after all, the right way for NEET preparation. But keep in mind, it is not all. To be able to ace NEET you must take the help of reference books also. A perfect combination of both types of books will help you score more in the exam and secure a place among the top rankers.
FAQs on Relying on NCERT Books for NEET? Know If It Is the Right Way!
1. Is studying only NCERT books enough to crack NEET 2026?
While NCERT books are the absolute foundation for NEET preparation, relying solely on them is not enough to secure a top rank. Approximately 80-85% of the questions in the NEET exam are based on concepts from NCERT. However, to tackle the remaining 15-20%, which often includes higher-order thinking (HOTS) questions and complex problems, you must supplement your studies with additional reference books and extensive practice.
2. For NEET Biology, is it safe to only rely on NCERT textbooks?
For Biology, NCERT is considered the 'Bible' for NEET. Over 90% of the Biology questions are directly from the lines, diagrams, and summary sections of the Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks. It is crucial to read them multiple times. However, for a perfect score, solving questions from various sources is recommended to understand how concepts can be twisted and applied in the exam.
3. How sufficient is the NCERT textbook for NEET Chemistry?
The sufficiency of NCERT for NEET Chemistry varies by section:
- Inorganic Chemistry: NCERT is highly sufficient. Most questions, including reactions and properties, are asked directly from the textbook.
- Organic Chemistry: NCERT provides a strong base for concepts and named reactions. However, you will need extra practice for complex reaction mechanisms and application-based questions.
- Physical Chemistry: NCERT explains the theory well, but it is not sufficient for the extensive numerical practice required for NEET. You must solve a large volume of MCQs from other reference books.
4. Is NCERT enough for NEET Physics preparation?
No, NCERT alone is not enough for NEET Physics. While it is essential for building foundational conceptual clarity, the book lacks the volume and variety of numerical problems needed to develop the required problem-solving speed and accuracy for the NEET exam. Students must use dedicated NEET Physics question banks and reference books for extensive practice.
5. If 80-85% of the NEET paper is from NCERT, why do so many aspirants struggle to qualify?
The challenge lies not in the source of the information but in its application and depth of understanding. Merely reading NCERT is not enough. Success in NEET depends on:
- Deep Conceptual Clarity: Understanding the 'why' and 'how' behind every line, not just memorising facts.
- Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to apply NCERT concepts to solve new and complex multiple-choice questions under time pressure.
- Inter-Topic Linkages: NEET questions often integrate concepts from different chapters, which requires a holistic understanding that goes beyond isolated chapter-wise reading.
6. Is it possible to score a perfect 720 in NEET 2026 by only using NCERT books?
Scoring a perfect 720/720 in NEET with only NCERT books is highly improbable. A perfect score requires answering every single question correctly, including the complex, application-based, and out-of-the-box questions that are designed to differentiate top rankers. These questions often demand a level of problem-solving skill and conceptual depth that can only be achieved by studying beyond NCERT and practising with a wide variety of resources.
7. For which topics is it crucial to study beyond NCERT for the NEET exam?
While NCERT is the core, you must go deeper for certain high-weightage topics. For NEET Physics, topics like Rotational Motion, Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics require extensive problem-solving from reference books. In Physical Chemistry, chapters like Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, and Electrochemistry need more numerical practice than NCERT provides. In Organic Chemistry, advanced reaction mechanisms and stereoisomerism often require more detailed study.
8. What is the most effective strategy to use NCERT for NEET 2026 preparation?
The best strategy is to use NCERT as your primary base and build upon it. First, thoroughly read each chapter from the NCERT textbook to build strong foundational knowledge. Underline key points and understand all diagrams and tables. Immediately after, solve MCQs on that topic from a dedicated NEET-level question bank. This process helps you connect the theory to its application and identify gaps in your understanding that require supplementary material.
