NCERT vs Reference Books: What to Use for JEE Main 2026?

 JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted in January and April 2026 for admission to the undergraduate engineering programs. The exam has 90 questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the form of MCQs and Numerical value-based questions. The conceptual preparation and strong foundation are two essential tools that can be used to solve the tricky JEE Main questions easily. Therefore, students should select the appropriate study materials and seek expert guidance to excel on the path to success. 

Let’s explore and find out which books are good for JEE Main exam preparation, NCERT or reference books and how to use them to maximize the benefit.

NCERT Vs. Reference Books for JEE Main Preparation

Most students struggle to balance the NCERT and reference books. While NCERT builds a fundamental understanding, reference books offer in-depth coverage. Aspirants often wondered Is NCERT enough? Do I need tougher books? Which subjects require what? This confusion leads to either under-preparation or unnecessary overload, making it essential to know where each type of book fits in your JEE strategy.

Why are NCERT Books Important?

NCERT books are the backbone of the JEE preparation journey. Here are a few points that will help you understand the significance of NCERT for JEE preparation:

1. Create solid foundations with simple and easy-to-understand examples.
2. Strictly in line with the JEE Main syllabus, guaranteeing that you cover the essential topics.
3. It is ideal for conceptual clarity, particularly in chapters with a lot of theory.
4. Highly reliable for Chemistry, where a lot of the questions are taken straight from the NCERT diagrams, tables, and lines.
5. It helps students study in the right order by offering a structured learning flow that includes key definitions, formulas, and examples that are frequently found in JEE Main questions.
6. Avoids indulging in the extra information which is not necessary for the JEE aspirant, leading to confusion.
7. Serves as the foundation before going on to more complex reference materials for more advanced practice.

Why Are Reference Books Important for JEE Preparation?

The NCERT are the foundation of the JEE preparation, but students also require the reference books due to the following reasons:

1. Provide advanced problem-solving practice beyond the NCERT level.
2. Help you understand application-based and challenging questions in JEE Main.
3. Explain topics in greater depth, filling gaps that the NCERT does not cover fully.
4. Strengthen numerical and analytical skills, especially for Physics and Mathematics.
5. Helps you with exam-level and above-exam-level problems, boosting confidence.
6. Improve problem-solving strategies with tips, shortcuts, and different approaches.
7. Include chapter-wise PYQ patterns, helping you identify important topics.

When to Use NCERT Books and Reference Books for JEE Main Preparation

The NCERT books and the reference books are both important for the JEE Main preparation. A perfect balance of these books can take your JEE Main preparation to the next level. 

When to Use NCERT Books

The NCERT books are beneficial at the following phases of the JEE preparation process:

1. At the beginning of preparation to build strong fundamentals.
2. For learning theory, definitions, and base concepts in all three subjects.
3. For Inorganic Chemistry, where questions often come straight from the NCERT lines.
4. Before solving advanced problems, ensure you understand the underlying concept.
5. During quick revision, because NCERT is concise and exam-oriented.
6. To memorize formulas, reactions, tables, and diagrams that the JEE often tests indirectly.
7. When a topic feels confusing, NCERT helps clear the basics first.

When to Use Reference Books

The reference books are essential for the following reasons in the JEE preparation journey:

1. After completing the NCERT basics, practice advanced problems.
2. For strengthening numerical skills in Physics and Mathematics.
3. For mastering Organic & Physical Chemistry, where the NCERT alone is not enough.
4. To get exposure to various question types: conceptual, tricky, multi-step, and application-based.
5. When preparing for high-scoring accuracy, reference books build speed and depth.
6. For chapter-wise and topic-wise practice, especially for weak areas.
7. Close to the exam, for solving mock-level and previous-year-style questions.

How to Balance NCERT and Reference Books for JEE Preparation

The ideal sequence for using the different study materials for JEE coaching is as follows:

NCERT → Coaching Modules → Reference Books → PYQs → Mock Tests

NCERT for understanding the basics.

Coaching Material to get an in-depth understanding of topics.

Reference Books for practising different types of questions, from easy to difficult.

PYQs to get an insight into the JEE exam pattern, marking scheme and different questions.

Mock Tests to know your preparation status.

Common Mistakes In JEE Main Preparation

Here are a few common mistakes students make while they are preparing for the JEE Main exam:

1. Ignoring NCERT: Thinking It’s “Too Easy”: Many students skip NCERT, assuming it’s simple, but a large portion of JEE Main questions, especially in Chemistry, are directly based on NCERT content, tables, and diagrams. Ignoring NCERT for the JEE Main exam weakens your fundamental understanding.
2. Over-dependence on Reference Books: Starting with the heavy reference books leads to confusion and a waste of time. Without NCERT, the clarity level declines, and the students struggle to solve advanced problems.
3. Solving Only High-Level Problems: Some students focus on Olympiad/JEE Advanced-level problems that are not needed for JEE Main. This creates unnecessary pressure and doesn’t contribute much to improving percentile.
4. Not Revising NCERT Examples & Back Exercises: NCERT’s solved examples and back questions are extremely important. Many JEE Main questions are conceptually similar. Skipping these results in missing out on easy marks.

Conclusion

Most of the JEE experts and toppers recommend using both NCERT and reference books for exam preparation. The combination of these books alongside the right guidance is best for your JEE preparation. At IIB Career Institute, we also focus on using the NCERT books for classes 11th & 12th alongside the IIB Study material. Our courses for JEE Main and Advanced are designed to cater to the needs of JEE aspirants, which can help them in building conceptual understanding with a problem-solving approach.