Are NCERT Books Enough to Score Well in Boards?

The question of whether NCERT textbooks alone are sufficient for scoring well in CBSE board examinations has been a perennial debate among students, parents, and educators alike. As board exams approach, this question becomes increasingly pressing, with students wondering if they should stick to NCERT materials or supplement their studies with reference books.

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks have long been considered the foundation of CBSE board exam preparation. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the efficacy of NCERT books, strategies for optimizing their use, and insights from toppers and experts on achieving excellence in board exams.

NCERT Books & Solutions Recommended by CBSE

NCERT textbooks are meticulously designed to align with the CBSE curriculum. This alignment is not coincidental but intentional, as CBSE exam papers are crafted based on the NCERT syllabus. The CBSE board follows NCERT guidelines closely when designing question papers, making these textbooks indispensable for board exam preparation.

According to CBSE officials, approximately 80-90% of board exam questions come directly from NCERT textbooks or are closely based on their content. This high degree of alignment means that mastering NCERT Solutions content gives students a significant advantage in exams.

Advantage of NCERT Books

One of the most celebrated aspects of NCERT textbooks is their emphasis on conceptual clarity. Rather than encouraging rote memorization, these books are designed to foster a deep understanding of fundamental concepts.

Arjun Sharma, who scored 98.8% in his Class 12 CBSE exams, shares: "NCERT books were my primary resource. Their straightforward approach to complex concepts helped me build a strong foundation. I found that once I thoroughly understood the concepts from NCERT, solving even the most challenging board exam questions became manageable."

This focus on building a strong conceptual foundation not only helps in board exams but also prepares students for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, and others, which test the application of these concepts in varied contexts.

Also Check: How to Read NCERT Books?

The Role of NCERT in Exam Preparation

Dr. Rajesh Malhotra, an education expert with over 20 years of experience in guiding CBSE students, emphasizes: "NCERT textbooks should be the cornerstone of any board exam preparation strategy. Their content is precise, relevant, and tailored to meet CBSE requirements. Students who thoroughly master NCERT are well-equipped to handle 80-85% of the board exam paper."

Education consultant Meera Kapoor adds: "The beauty of NCERT lies in its simplicity. Complex ideas are broken down into digestible chunks, making self-study feasible. For students aiming to score above 90%, a thorough understanding of NCERT, combined with regular practice of exemplar problems, can be sufficient."

NCERT vs. Reference Books

While NCERT books form the backbone of board exam preparation, the question remains: Are they enough?

Neha Gupta, who topped her school with 97.4% in Class 12, offers insight: "I primarily relied on NCERT books for all subjects. However, for subjects like Mathematics and Physics, I used reference books for additional practice questions. The key is to master NCERT first before moving to supplementary materials."

The consensus among experts suggests:

• For subjects like History, Political Science, Geography, and Biology, NCERT textbooks are generally sufficient.
• For Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, while NCERT provides excellent conceptual clarity, additional practice from reference books or exemplar problems can be beneficial.
• For language subjects, NCERT textbooks, combined with practice papers, usually provide adequate preparation.

Subject-Wise NCERT Strategy for Board Exams

Mathematics

NCERT textbooks cover all fundamental concepts required for board exams. However, mathematics demands practice. Experts recommend:

• Master every example given in NCERT textbooks
• Solve all exercises, including optional exercises
• Supplement with NCERT Exemplar problems for challenging questions
• Practice previous year papers for time management

Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

For science subjects, NCERT textbooks are comprehensive and cover both theoretical concepts and practical applications.

Aarav Patel, who scored 99.2% in Class 12, shares: "I highlighted important definitions, formulas, and diagrams in my NCERT science books. For Chemistry, I made sure to understand all the reactions mentioned in NCERT, as they often appear directly in exams."

Social Sciences

For subjects like History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics, NCERT textbooks are particularly valuable. These subjects often require precise answers based on specific information, which NCERT provides accurately.

Riya Sharma, a Class 10 topper with 98.6%, advises: "For Social Sciences, I literally memorized certain sections of NCERT word-by-word. Questions often require specific answers that align exactly with NCERT content. Reading between the lines and understanding the context behind historical events helped me score well."

Languages

For language subjects, NCERT textbooks provide a good foundation, but additional practice with different types of writing formats, grammar exercises, and literature understanding is essential.

Time Management with NCERT Textbooks

Effective time management is crucial for board exam success. Here's a strategy for optimizing study time with NCERT books:

1. Chapter Prioritization: Identify high-weightage chapters based on previous year papers
2. Structured Reading: First read for understanding, then for retention
3. Active Note-making: Create condensed notes from NCERT for revision
4. Regular Revision: Allocate time for revisiting previously covered chapters
5. Practice Integration: Balance reading with solving practice questions

Education psychologist Dr. Ananya Sen recommends: "Start with a thorough reading of NCERT 6-7 months before boards. Complete the syllabus 2-3 months before exams, leaving ample time for revision and practice. This approach ensures both understanding and retention."

NCERT for Last-Minute Revision

NCERT textbooks prove invaluable for last-minute revision before board exams. Their concise presentation of essential information makes them perfect for quick reviews.

Vihaan Mehta, who scored 96.8% in his boards, shares his last-minute revision strategy: "In the final month before exams, I created chapter summaries from NCERT textbooks, focusing on key points, formulas, and diagrams. I also marked important definitions and concepts with sticky notes for quick reference."

Expert recommendations for last-minute NCERT revision include:

• Focus on highlighted portions of the textbook
• Revise chapter summaries and mind maps
• Review solved examples for application-based questions
• Pay special attention to diagrams, tables, and boxed information
• Revisit previous years' questions that came directly from NCERT

NCERT Exemplar Problems: The Hidden Gem

Many students focus solely on NCERT textbooks, overlooking the valuable resource of NCERT Exemplar problems. These problems are designed to test higher-order thinking skills and prepare students for more challenging board exam questions.

Aryan Singh, who secured 99.4% in Class 12, attributes part of his success to Exemplar problems: "NCERT Exemplar problems exposed me to a variety of question formats and difficulty levels. After mastering the textbook content, solving these problems boosted my confidence and prepared me for any curveballs in the exam."

Education experts consistently recommend incorporating Exemplar problems, especially for subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, to elevate preparation from good to excellent.

Cost-Effective Exam Preparation with NCERT

One undeniable advantage of NCERT textbooks is their affordability. Compared to expensive reference books and coaching materials, NCERT books offer high-quality content at a fraction of the cost.

Career counselor Priya Joshi points out: "NCERT textbooks cost between ₹50-150 per subject, while reference books can cost ₹500-1000 each. For students with budget constraints, focusing on mastering NCERT content and supplementing with free online resources can be a highly effective strategy."

This cost-effectiveness makes quality education accessible to students across different socioeconomic backgrounds, leveling the playing field for board exam preparation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using NCERT for Boards

Even with the best resources, strategic errors can hamper exam performance. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

1. Skimming Instead of Deep Reading: NCERT content is concise but dense. Every line matters.
2. Ignoring Examples and Activities: These are designed to reinforce concepts and often form the basis for exam questions.
3. Overlooking Small Print and Footnotes: These often contain valuable insights or exceptions to rules.
4. Bypassing Self-Assessment Questions: These questions help gauge understanding and identify weak areas.
5. Neglecting NCERT Diagrams: Diagrams in NCERT are carefully crafted and frequently appear in exams.

Topper's Perspective: Beyond NCERT

While NCERT textbooks form the foundation, toppers often develop personalized strategies that extend beyond them.

Ishita Agarwal, who scored a perfect 100 in Mathematics and 99.8% overall, shares her approach: "I started with NCERT, ensuring I understood every concept thoroughly. Once confident, I challenged myself with previous years' papers and sample papers. I found that 60-70% of questions were direct applications of NCERT concepts, while the rest required deeper application skills that came from additional practice."