The Role of NCERT Books in JEE Preparation

The Role of NCERT Books in JEE Preparation

 Introduction

Why NCERT Books Matter for JEE

How to Use NCERT Books Effectively

Beyond NCERT: Bridging the Gap

Success Stories Rooted in NCERT

Conclusion 

Introduction

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is the most important exam for engineering aspirants in India. The JEE is divided into JEE (Mains) and JEE (Advanced), the JEE (mains) is for 12th-grade students who want to apply for programmes in IITs, NITs, government-deemed universities and funded engineering colleges. The syllabus for JEE (Mains) is adapted from the 11th and 12th grade syllabus for Central Board Secondary Education’s (CBSE’s) physics, chemistry and mathematics subjects. CBSE recommends the use of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) books for students for these subjects. While coaching institutes, online education portals and reference books provide guidance, they are primarily beneficial for further reading or more exploration of concepts. Your primary study material for JEE should be NCERT. Let us explore why NCERT books are pivotal in JEE preparation.

Why NCERT Books Matter for JEE

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  1. Recommended reading: for JEE and CBSE, NCERT textbooks are the recommended resource, and the syllabus is based on the material provided by them. It is the go-to book for all theorems, concepts and formulas that will be quizzed in the JEE. 
  2. Conceptual Clarity: CBSE’s science syllabus covers foundational concepts. The purpose of JEE is to test the student’s in-depth understanding of these fundamentals. NCERT textbooks and workbooks are noted for providing a comprehensive approach that helps students gain mastery over the subjects. For Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, the clear and concise explanations in NCERT books simplify even the most complex topics.
  3. Aligned with JEE Syllabus: The content of NCERT books is tailored to the curriculum prescribed by the CBSE board, which overlaps significantly with The JEE syllabus. Thus, studying from their books ensures you cover the core topics required for the exam.
  4. Focus on Basics: JEE questions are designed to test your grasp of fundamental principles which will have extensive application in the engineering programme. NCERT books have an excellent framework for presenting these basics in a structured manner, ensuring a smooth transition to advanced problem-solving.
  5. Essential for Chemistry: NCERT Chemistry deserves special mention in JEE preparation. The books maintain a Chemistry focus through dedicated sections for Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry concepts. JEE questions on Inorganic Chemistry are often lifted directly from NCERT textbooks. 
  6. Quality Over Quantity: NCERT texts are concise and save valuable time for students during preparation. Revising these books multiple times is feasible and highly effective.
  7. Simple Language: NCERT language is simple and they break down complicated concepts into comprehensive structures that make it easy to grasp. 
  8. Preparation for 12th grade and JEE: The NCERT textbook is good for preparation for JEE and the 12th-grade board exams. So, these books are necessary reading for students who will appear for both exams in the year.

How to Use NCERT Books Effectively

  1. Make it your primary study material: Pay close attention to every line of NCERT, as JEE questions often focus on subtle details. Highlight key points and make notes for quick revision. NCERT textbooks should be your primary study material. 
  2. Mathematics - it is an excellent resource for formulas and concepts. you can start with the NCERT textbook and move on to other books for a deeper understanding of the subject and to find more practice problems. 
  3. Chemistry - The NCERT chemistry textbook is the single stop for Chemistry, widely covering all the topics and giving excellent explanations. 
  4. Physics - like mathematics, it is an excellent place to start to study the basic formulas and concepts of physics and then build on to other books with more complex problems and tougher theories. 
  5. Practice Exercises: For self-assessment solve the end-of-chapter questions in NCERT books. Even though there are fewer questions at the end of the chapter when compared with other books, they are a good way to recapitulate what you have studied so far. Solve these diligently immediately after you complete a chapter to revise what you have studied and understand how well you have understood it.
  6. Memorise Key Facts: Some theories, concepts and information must be memorised. For inorganic chemistry, especially, NCERT books are a goldmine of factual information. Memorise tables, charts, and periodic trends meticulously.
  7. Use as a First Step: Before picking advanced reference books, ensure you have thoroughly read and understood NCERT. This approach builds a robust conceptual base and prevents confusion later.

Beyond NCERT: Bridging the Gap

While NCERT books form the foundation for JEE, they might not cover the high difficulty level required for some JEE questions. Some books are recommended by teachers and students who have successfully cleared JEE: 

Book

Author

Physics

Concepts of Physics for JEE

H.C. Verma

Physics Fundamental

Halliday, Resnick and Walker

IIT JEE Physics 35 years chapter-wise solved papers

D. C. Pandey

Problems in Physics

  1. A. Pinsky

Advanced Level Physics: Examples and Exercises

Nelson, Michael, Parker, Philip

A Collection of questions and problems in Physics

L.A. Sena

Chemistry

Physical chemistry

O.P. Tandon and A.S. Singh/ Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula

Numerical chemistry

P. Bahadur

Organic Chemistry

O.P. Tandon/ Morrison, Boyd, Bhattacharjee

Inorganic Chemistry

O.P. Tandon/ J.D. Lee

Mathematics

Mathematics class XI Vol. I 

Mathematics class XII Vol. II

R.D. Sharma

IIT JEE Mathematics

M.L. Khanna and J.N. Sharma

New pattern IIT JEE Mathematics

S. K. Goyal

Integral Calculus for IIT JEE

Amit M. Agarwal

 

  • You can refer to study resources provided by different coaching classes and online portals for JEE courses. 
  • Practice mock tests and previous years' papers to bridge the gap between NCERT-level and JEE-level problems.
  • You can also attempt JEE question banks online and offline. 

Success Stories Rooted in NCERT

Every candidate who appears for JEE uses NCERT books as the primary study resource. JEE toppers from all walks of life attribute their success to a disciplined focus on NCERT books. These books provide a strong foundation which helps clarify concepts and easily decipher complex problems.

Conclusion

For students aiming to excel in JEE, NCERT books are your most trustworthy companions. They lay the groundwork for your preparation and instil the conceptual clarity needed to tackle this competitive exam. Combined with regular practice and strategic use of additional resources, NCERT books will help you ace your JEE.

About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education.

Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

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