Quick Summary: To prepare well for CBSE Class 10th, it’s best to use both NCERT textbooks and good reference books. NCERT builds your basics and covers the full syllabus, while reference books give extra practice, clear explanations, and different types of questions. Top choices for best reference books for CBSE Class 10 include Arihant, S Chand, and Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur. This Blog also brings you useful tips to help Class 10 students prepare well for their CBSE Board Examinations.
CBSE reference books for Class 10: Are you searching for the best reference book for Class 10 to boost your CBSE board exam preparation for 2026? This article brings you a carefully selected list of reference books along with useful tips to help Class 10 students prepare well for their CBSE Board Examinations. These books present every concept in an easy and understandable way. They also cover the complete syllabus, including marking schemes, previous years’ question papers with answers and explanations, a wide variety of questions (from basic to advanced), practice papers, and more. To get good marks in the CBSE Class 10 board exams, students must refer to the best reference books. Your Class 10 results play an important role in deciding whether you can opt for your dream stream in Class 11. A good score opens up the path for your desired stream and a strong career ahead.
While these reference books are specially designed to help CBSE Class 10 students do well in their board exams, they can also be helpful for students from other boards. Even though NCERT books are the most recommended for both Class 10 and 12, it is equally important to read extra reference books to improve in weaker subjects. Below is a list of the best CBSE Class 10 reference books for subjects like Science, Mathematics, English, Social Science, and Hindi.
Read More:
- CBSE Class 10th Board Exam: Chapter-wise Weightage, Syllabus, Marking Scheme
- CBSE Class 10 Syllabus
- CBSE Class 10 & 12 Syllabus 2025-26: Major Changes & Key Highlights
List of Best Reference Books for Class 10 Board Exams
Reference books give you a clear understanding of a topic by explaining it in detail. They also help you find extra information on a chapter or concept that may not be fully covered in the NCERT books. However, since there are so many reference books for CBSE Class 10 that are available online and offline, students often get confused while picking the right ones. The best CBSE reference books for Class 10 may differ based on the subjects you are focusing on. So, it’s important to select the books as per your subject requirements. Here’s a complete list for you:
Maths Reference Books for Class 10
Students who are doing preparation for the CBSE 10th board exams are advised to use these Mathematics books along with their NCERT books for better preparation.
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Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Mathematics |
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| Sr. No. | Book Name | Author/ Publisher |
| 1 | Mathematics for Class 10 | R.D. Sharma |
| 2 | Model Test Papers & U-Like CBSE Sample Papers (With Solution) | Best Book Publishing House |
| 3 | Secondary School Mathematics for Class 10 | R.S. Aggarwal |
| 4 | All-in-One Mathematics | Arihant |
| 5 | Xamidea Complete Course Mathematics | VK Global |
| 6 | NCERT Exemplar Problems | NCERT |
| 7 | Oswaal CBSE & NCERT One for All Class 10 Mathematics | Oswaal Publishers |
| 8 | Educart CBSE Question Bank Class 10 Mathematics | Educart |
CBSE Class 10 Science Reference Books
To prepare for Science in CBSE Class 10 board exams, students can use these helpful reference books. The Science subject includes three parts – Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
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Best Reference Books for Science CBSE Class 10 |
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| Book Name | Authors/Publications | Notes |
| Science for 10th Class: Physics | Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur | Focuses on concepts and problem-solving. |
| Science for 10th Class: Chemistry | Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur | Comprehensive coverage of chemistry topics. |
| Science for 10th Class: Biology | Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur | Explains biological concepts with diagrams. |
| Principles of Physics: S Chand Books | N.K. Chowdhry | Provides a solid foundation in physics principles. |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Pradeep Publication | Offers a detailed explanation of physics concepts. |
| All In One Class 10 Science | Arihant Publications | Includes solved problems, important questions, and previous year papers. |
| Xam Idea Complete Course Science for CBSE | VK Publications | A comprehensive guide with solved and unsolved questions. |
| Together with Science Study Material for Class 10 | Rachna Sagar Pvt Ltd | Offers a structured approach to understanding science concepts. |
| RD Sharma | RD Sharma | Provides solutions and practice problems for different concepts. |
| Foundation Science Physics for Class 10 | H.C. Verma | |
Best Reference Book for Class 10 CBSE Social Science
Below is a table showing some of the top reference books for Social Science for CBSE Class 10:
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Reference Books for Social Science for CBSE Class 10 |
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| Book Name | Authors/Publications | Notes |
| All in One Social Science CBSE Class 10 | Arihant | Provides comprehensive coverage, including theory, exercises, and sample papers. |
| S Chand for Social Science | N.K. Chowdhry | Known for its detailed explanations and clear presentation. |
| Xam Idea for Social Science | Editorial Board | Features comprehensive content, along with question banks and previous years’ papers. |
| Golden Guide for Social Science | Sudha Rastogi, S.A. Siddiqui, J.P. Singhal, Dr Gulshan Rai | A popular choice for in-depth understanding of the subject matter. |
| CBSE Question and Concept Bank (QCB) | PW Store | Includes question banks and concept bank to help students prepare for the exam. |
| Oswaal CBSE & NCERT One for All | Oswaal | Provides comprehensive coverage based on both NCERT and CBSE guidelines. |
| Educart One-shot Social Science | Educart | Offers concise theory, in-text questions, and sample papers. |
English Reference Book Class 10
To get ready for the English exam in the best way, here is the best reference book for class 10 for effective preparation.
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Best Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 for English |
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| Sr. No. | Book Name | Author/ Publisher |
| 1. | CBSE All-in-One English Language & Literature Class 10 | Arihant Experts |
| 2. | Xam Idea Complete Course English for CBSE Class 10 | VK Global |
| 3. | High School English Grammar and Composition Book | Wren and Martin |
| 4. | English Communicative | Oswaal School Books |
Hindi Reference Books for Class 10
Take a look at these top Hindi reference books for CBSE Class 10th preparation:
| Book Name | Publications | Notes |
| Navyug Hindi Vyakaran | Navyug | Hindi Grammar |
| Me ‘n’ Mine | Arihant | Hindi Grammar and Literary Analysis |
| All in One Hindi Class 10 | Arihant | Comprehensive guide with solved papers, practice questions, and NCERT solutions |
| Golden Guide Hindi | Golden Guide | Comprehensive guide with solved papers, practice questions, and NCERT solutions |
| U-Like Hindi | U-Like | Comprehensive guide with solved papers, practice questions, and NCERT solutions |
| Oswaal Hindi Books | Oswaal | Comprehensive guide with solved papers, practice questions, and NCERT solutions |
NCERT Books for CBSE Class 10 Exams
NCERT books are important for students who are preparing for CBSE board exams and other competitive exams like NEET UG, JEE, and Olympiads. These books explain topics in a simple way with examples, diagrams, flowcharts, and related questions, making them highly useful. Most exam questions come directly from the NCERTs, so students who focus on them can score well. While NCERTs are the best for CBSE exam prep, pairing them with good reference books can further improve your performance by helping you solve a wider range of problems.
Why is NCERT Important for CBSE Class 10th Boards?
These NCERT books play a precise role in the studies of CBSE Class 10th board exams as they cover the complete Syllabus and give explanations in almost all chapters, along with practice questions. They adhere to the latest syllabus of the CBSE and hence are the best study materials for exams.
Here is why NCERT is important:
- Complete Syllabus Coverage: NCERT books are developed as per the CBSE curriculum so that students get a clear understanding of the topics they are going to study.
- Concept Clarity: NCERT explains basics in detail, which helps the students in getting their basics cleared in each and every subject.
- Questions and Exercises: They contain a large number of practice questions and exercises with crucial questions highlighted and plenty of questions based on previous year papers, to help students in building up their problem-solving skills and to give students an opportunity to find out how many of the ideas they can retain.
- Authority and Reliability: The textbook is Government-approved and is issued by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, so it serves as a better source of credibility in case of syllabus and content.
- Alignment with Exam Pattern: Board exam questions are generally based on NCERT books, so they play an important role in students’ exam preparation.
- Foundation for Higher Studies: The books by NCERT also lay the foundation for students planning to pursue higher studies in the respective subjects.
Check Out: CBSE 10th Board Answer Key & Video Solutions
Benefits of Best Reference Books for Class 10 CBSE Boards
The best reference book for CBSE Class 10 delivers so many merits, such as detailed explanations, plenty of practical questions, exam-oriented preparation, and clear knowledge of concepts. They also help students to keep up with the CBSE syllabus and comprehend the current question trends, therefore, students must use them together with the NCERTs to get adequate preparation.
- Detailed Explanations: The reference book for CBSE Class 10 explains the topics in a more detailed way, which is above the NCERT pattern, enabling the students to easily understand the complicated topics.
- Variety of Questions: CBSE Class 10 reference books contain plenty of solved and unsolved problems, which include sample and previous years’ papers covering a maximum variety of questions for the students to solve, to make the students conveniently practice different types of questions and patterns of the examination.
- Exam-Oriented Preparation: Reference books are meant as per the CBSE Class 10 test pattern and syllabus; thus, concentrating on the right subjects is simpler.
- Concept Clarity: reference book for CBSE Class 10, clears the concept for students and helps them secure in-depth knowledge of the area beyond the scope of NCERT textbooks.
- Supplementary to NCERT: NCERT should be your main course of study, but reference books can further clarify your concepts and provide a stronger foundation for complex concepts included in the NCERT syllabus..
- Reliable Information: Reference books are reliable sources; they significantly cut down the chances of someone getting wrong information.
- Alignment with CBSE Syllabus: They are also designed to help students get acclimated to the CBSE marking scheme and the kinds of questions that are generally asked in the board exams.
Check Out: CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 with Solutions for 2025-26 Exam
Tips for Effective Preparation with a Reference Book for CBSE Class 10
In order to prepare effectively for CBSE Class 10 exams with reference books, it is crucial to have a conceptual understanding of your syllabus, while NCERT books should be the primary resource of your reference material, and creating short notes, which can enable quick revision, is recommended. Solve sample papers and last year’s papers regularly for confidence-building and timed practice.
Critical Preparation Points and Strategies:
- Choose Wisely: Select reference books that align with your learning style and the specific needs of each subject.
- Focus on NCERT: NCERT textbooks are the foundation of CBSE exams, so thoroughly study them.
- Create Concise Notes: Summarize key concepts, definitions, and formulas into flashcards or other visual aids for quick revision.
- Practice Regularly: Solve problems, sample papers, and previous year papers to reinforce learning and improve speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Allocate time (race against time phrase meaning) for each subject and topic, and manage your time effectively during exams.
- Revision is Key: Regularly revisit your notes, practice questions, and sample papers to consolidate learning.
- Seek Clarification: Don’t hesitate to ask teachers or classmates for help if you have doubts or difficulties.
- Stay Confident: Believe in your ability to succeed and avoid last-minute cramming.
- Maintain Your Health: A healthy body and mind are essential for effective study.
- Focus on Personal Growth: Every student learns differently, so prioritize your own progress and avoid comparing yourself to others.
By following these guidelines, you will be able to prepare for CBSE Class 10 through reference books and score your best in the upcoming exams.
Check Out: Easy and Effective Study Time Table for CBSE Class 10th
Conclusion
This post comprises a carefully selected list of reference books and suggestions to assist students who are preparing for their CBSE Class 10 Board Exams. Students must write a summary of topics, pointwise notes, formulae, and key points so that they can be well prepared during the final day of the examination. Good time management, regular homework, and practice with question papers and mock tests are the best ways of scoring well in the examination, how tough or easy the paper may be. We extend our best wishes to all students in their preparation for and board exams. Be positive, stay focused, and keep working on putting in your best efforts.
FAQs on Reference Books for CBSE Class 10 Board Exams
Q1: Where can I find CBSE Class 10 books to download?
You can download CBSE Class 10 textbooks (which are also the NCERT books for Class 10) for free in PDF format from the NCERT website, as it offers the official textbooks in English, Hindi, and Urdu, allowing you to download the entire book or individual chapters.
Q: Which is the best reference book for Class 10 Maths?
For 10th class Maths, R.D. Sharma and R.S. Aggarwal are generally considered the best reference books.
Q: Which book is considered the best for Class 10 Physics?
For CBSE Class 10 Science, Physics by Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur is one of the top reference books.
Q: How do I get full marks in CBSE Class 12 Maths?
To score 100 in Class 12 CBSE Maths, focus on building a strong foundation by understanding each chapter thoroughly and practicing consistently. Create a study plan, manage time effectively, and avoid distractions.
Q: How can I score above 90 percent in the 10th class exam?
To score high marks or 90% plus in the 10th class, students must focus on building their concepts, should focus on regular revision, practice, and time management.
Q: Is studying only the NCERT enough for scoring well in Class 10 board exams?
Yes, the NCERT textbooks are generally considered sufficient for the CBSE Class 10 board exams. Many students successfully prepare for the exams by solely relying on NCERT books, as they cover the entire syllabus.
Q: Can I really achieve full marks in Class 10 Maths?
Yes, it’s possible to get full marks in Maths in 10th board exams with the right strategies and consistent effort. While it might seem challenging, achieving a perfect score is achievable with dedicated preparation.
Q: Which CBSE guidebook is best for Class 10 students?
For CBSE Class 10, students should primarily focus on NCERT textbooks as they provide a comprehensive foundation. While NCERTs are sufficient for a strong understanding, additional resources like RD Sharma, Oswaal Question Banks, or Arihant guides can be beneficial for practice and a deeper understanding of concepts, especially in subjects like Math and Science.
Q: How can I score 95 marks in Class 10?
Start by making a proper study plan. Then, gather all the recommended books mentioned above. Along with them, use your NCERT textbooks and keep practicing sample papers. Regular revision of chapters is also very important.
Q: Is RD Sharma enough for Class 10?
Yes, RD Sharma is one of the very famous books and can be considered sufficient to prepare for class 10.
Q: Which one is better – RS Aggarwal or RD Sharma?
Both the books, RS Aggarwal and RD Sharma, are considered the best reference books for CBSE Class 10.
Q: Is RS Aggarwal helpful for Class 10?
Yes, it is considered a useful reference book for Maths, especially when revising for the exam.
Q: Which is the toughest 10th board?
Generally, all the education boards follow the same syllabus and pattern, but somewhere CBSE is seen as more challenging in comparison to others.
Q: What is the best guidebook for Class 10 Social Science?
For Class 10 SST, Together With Social Science and Xam Idea are two of the best guides. They provide short notes, sample papers, and different types of practice questions.
Q: What is the best study material for Class 10?
The best material includes your NCERT books, the suggested reference books above, and previous years’ question papers for all subjects.
Q: Are NCERT Books Sufficient for CBSE Exams?
Yes, NCERT books are enough for CBSE exams because most questions come from them. They explain topics in simple language with examples and exercises. However, practicing extra questions from reference books can help you understand better and score higher. So, NCERT books are very important and a good base.
