Relying on just NCERT textbooks for the CBSE Class 10 exam can leave gaps in understanding and limit practice opportunities. Even though NCERT textbooks form the foundation for Class 10 preparation, relying only on them may leave gaps in weak areas or advanced problem-solving. 

Supplementing with reference materials strengthens concepts, provides varied practice, and builds confidence across Science, Mathematics, English, Social Science, and Hindi.

In this guide, we explore how students can choose the best reference materials, optimize their study strategy, and strengthen weak areas to maximize CBSE Class 10 performance. By focusing on concept clarity, practice, and exam-oriented preparation, students can approach the board exams with clarity and confidence.

Top Reference Books for CBSE Class 10

For students preparing for the CBSE Class 10 exam, essential reference books include R.D. Sharma or R.S. Aggarwal for Mathematics, Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur for Science, Xam Idea or Arihant’s All in One for Social Science, and Wren & Martin or BBC Compacta for English. Pairing these with NCERT textbooks and NCERT Exemplar helps build a solid foundation.

These reference books offer clear explanations, extra practice exercises, and board-style questions that simplify challenging concepts and reinforce learning. Selecting the right book for each subject allows students to target weak areas, practice efficiently, and approach the board exams with confidence.

Mathematics

• Mathematics for Class 10 – R.D. Sharma
  Best for students who need clear explanations and concept clarity. Includes numerous practice questions covering all difficulty levels.
• Secondary School Mathematics for Class 10 – R.S. Aggarwal
  Ideal for problem-solving practice with step-by-step solutions. Good for strengthening fundamentals.
• Model Test Papers & U-Like CBSE Sample Papers (With Solutions) – Best Book Publishing House
  Provides board-style questions and solutions to practice time management.
• All-in-One Mathematics – Arihant
  Comprehensive coverage of concepts, exercises, and solved papers. Best for revision and exam preparation.
• Xamidea Complete Course Mathematics – VK Global
  Covers concepts, solved examples, and sample papers. Useful for quick practice before exams.
• NCERT Exemplar Problems – NCERT
  Offers challenging questions and application-based problems. Best for concept reinforcement.
• Oswaal CBSE & NCERT One for All Class 10 Mathematics – Oswaal Publishers
  Includes solutions, practice questions, and sample papers. Ideal for board-oriented preparation.
• Educart CBSE Question Bank Class 10 Mathematics – Educart
  Focuses on quick revision, practice questions, and solved examples. Good for last-minute preparation.

Science

• Science for 10th Class: Physics – Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur
  Best for students needing easy-to-understand explanations. Includes concept-based exercises.
• Science for 10th Class: Chemistry – Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur
  Comprehensive Chemistry coverage with examples and practice problems.
• Science for 10th Class: Biology – Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur
  Explains biological concepts with diagrams. Useful for diagram-based questions.
• Principles of Physics – N.K. Chowdhry
  Provides a strong foundation in physics principles. Includes solved examples.
• Fundamentals of Physics – Pradeep Publication
  Offers detailed explanations and practice problems for better conceptual understanding.
• All-in-One Class 10 Science – Arihant Publications
  Combines theory, solved problems, important questions, and past year papers.
• Xam Idea Complete Course Science for CBSE – VK Publications
  Covers concepts, solved, and unsolved questions for complete practice.
• Together with Science Study Material for Class 10 – Rachna Sagar Pvt Ltd
  Provides structured approach for understanding science concepts.
• Foundation Science Physics for Class 10 – H.C. Verma
  Focused on numerical problems and conceptual clarity in physics.
• R.D. Sharma Science – R.D. Sharma
  Includes solutions and practice problems for various science concepts.

Social Science

• All-in-One Social Science CBSE Class 10 – Arihant
  Comprehensive coverage of theory, exercises, and sample papers. Best for revision and exam prep.
• S Chand for Social Science – N.K. Chowdhry
  Known for detailed explanations and clear presentation of concepts.
• Xam Idea for Social Science – Editorial Board
  Includes question banks, previous year papers, and solved examples.
• Golden Guide for Social Science – Sudha Rastogi, S.A. Siddiqui, J.P. Singhal, Dr Gulshan Rai
  Popular for in-depth understanding and concept clarity.
• CBSE Question and Concept Bank (QCB) – PW Store
  Offers question banks and concept-wise practice. Good for quick revision.
• Oswaal CBSE & NCERT One for All Social Science – Oswaal
  Covers NCERT and CBSE pattern, includes solved examples and sample papers.
• Educart One-shot Social Science – Educart
  Focused on concise theory, in-text questions, and practice papers.

English

• CBSE All-in-One English Language & Literature Class 10 – Arihant Experts
  Covers grammar, literature, and practice exercises. Best for full syllabus preparation.
• Xam Idea Complete Course English for CBSE Class 10 – VK Global
  Provides chapter-wise theory, practice questions, and sample papers.
• High School English Grammar and Composition Book – Wren & Martin
  Ideal for grammar and writing practice. Includes exercises and examples.
• English Communicative – Oswaal School Books
  Covers literature and language practice, with solved questions and examples.

Hindi

• Navyug Hindi Vyakaran – Navyug
  Focused on Hindi grammar. Includes examples and practice exercises.
• Me ‘n’ Mine – Arihant
  Covers grammar and literary analysis. Best for concept clarity.
• All-in-One Hindi Class 10 – Arihant
  Comprehensive guide with solved papers, practice questions, and NCERT solutions.
• Golden Guide Hindi – Golden Guide
  Includes practice papers, solved examples, and NCERT solutions.
• U-Like Hindi – U-Like
  Offers practice questions, solved papers, and NCERT-based exercises.
• Oswaal Hindi Books – Oswaal
  Complete guide with practice questions, solved examples, and exam-oriented exercises.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Reference Books

• Buying too many books unnecessarily – Accumulating multiple reference books can overwhelm you. Focus on a few trusted resources instead of hoarding “extra material.”
• Ignoring NCERT textbooks – NCERT forms the core syllabus. Relying only on reference books can lead to gaps in essential concepts.
• Not aligning books with the CBSE syllabus or exam pattern – Using books that don’t follow the CBSE structure may waste time and confuse exam preparation.
• Excessive practice without understanding – Solving questions blindly without grasping the concepts will not improve problem-solving skills.
• Skipping revision – Practicing new questions without revisiting important topics can cause you to forget concepts.
• Neglecting time management – Spending too much time on one subject or type of problem can disrupt balanced preparation for all subjects.
• Ignoring previous year papers – Past exam questions help understand trends and frequently asked topics; skipping them reduces exam readiness.

Conclusion

While NCERT textbooks form the foundation for CBSE Class 10 preparation, reference books play a crucial role in clarifying concepts, providing extra practice, and preparing students for application-based and board-style questions. Selecting subject-specific, syllabus-aligned books ensures focused learning, strengthens weak areas, and builds confidence. By using reference books strategically alongside NCERT, managing time effectively, and avoiding common mistakes, students can maximize their preparation and approach the board exams with clarity, skill, and assurance.

People Ask Questions

Where can I find CBSE Class 10 books to download?

You can download the official NCERT Class 10 textbooks in PDF format from the NCERT website. They are available in English, Hindi, and Urdu, and you can choose to download either the full book or individual chapters for free.

Which is the best reference book for Class 10 Maths?

For Class 10 Maths, R.D. Sharma and R.S. Aggarwal are excellent choices. They provide step-by-step explanations, a variety of practice questions, and solved examples to help strengthen your understanding and problem-solving skills.

Which book is considered the best for Class 10 Physics?

For Physics, Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur are widely recommended. The book explains concepts clearly, includes diagrams and examples, and offers practice questions that align with CBSE exam patterns.

How can I score above 90% in the Class 10 exam?

Scoring above 90% requires consistent revision, solving sample papers, and regular practice of NCERT and reference book questions. Managing time well during preparation and practicing exam-style questions also helps improve accuracy.

Is studying only NCERT enough to score well in Class 10 board exams?

Yes, NCERT covers the entire CBSE syllabus and is sufficient for scoring well. However, reference books are useful to clarify concepts, practice additional questions, and prepare for higher-order problems.

Which CBSE guidebook is best for Class 10 students?

For a strong foundation, NCERT textbooks should be your priority. To supplement learning, reference books like R.D. Sharma (Maths), Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur (Science), Xam Idea/Arihant All-in-One (Social Science), and Wren & Martin (English) help in practice, revision, and deeper concept clarity.