Best Resources for Class 12 Board Exam: Class 12 CBSE Board Exams are one of the most crucial milestones in a student’s academic journey. They not only influence college admissions but also build the foundation for future competitive exams. Whether you’re a student of Science, Commerce, or Arts, the right study resources can make a significant difference in your performance.
In this blog, we’ll cover the best resources for Class 12 board exam, like books, question banks, and test series, that you should use to excel in your Class 12 CBSE exams, tailored for each stream.
Why Choosing the Right Resources Matter?
The CBSE curriculum emphasises conceptual clarity, application-based learning, and structured presentation. Choosing well-aligned resources helps you:
- Cover the whole syllabus effectively.
- Get ample practice through previous year questions and sample papers.
- Understand the marking scheme and question paper pattern.
- Strengthen weak areas through revision and mock tests.
Let’s explore the top-rated resources for each stream.
For Science Stream Students
The core subjects for science stream students are Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Computer Science.
NCERT Textbooks (Must-Have)
All CBSE questions are based directly or indirectly on NCERT content. Do not skip any examples, definitions, or in-text questions.
- Physics NCERT Class 12 Book
- Chemistry NCERT Class 12 Book
- Biology NCERT Class 12 Book
- Mathematics NCERT Class 12 Book
Reference Books
To enhance your understanding and tackle complex problems:
- Physics: Concepts of Physics (by HC Verma), Pradeep’s Fundamental Physics
- Chemistry: Modern’s ABC Chemistry, Pradeep’s New Course Chemistry for Class 12
- Biology: S. Chand’s Biology for Class XII, Modern’s ABC+ of Biology Class 12
- Maths: RD Sharma, S Chand’s Mathematics for Class XII
Question Banks & Sample Papers
These help you master CBSE’s question style and enhance speed and accuracy.
- Oswaal Question Banks (All Subjects)
- Arihant Chapterwise Solved Papers
- Educart Sample Papers
Test Series & Online Platforms
Consider practicing mock tests on:
- TopperLearning
- PhysicsWallah (PW)
- CBSE’s Official Sample Papers Portal
For Commerce Stream Students
The core subjects of commerce steam students are Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, and Mathematics.
NCERT Textbooks
A solid base is essential, and NCERT provides that:
- Accountancy NCERT Book
- Business Studies NCERT Book
- Economics NCERT Book (Micro + Macro)
- Maths NCERT Book (if opted)
Reference Books
- Accountancy: TS Grewal’s Double Entry Book Keeping
- Business Studies: Poonam Gandhi, Subhash Dey’s Business Studies
- Economics: Sandeep Garg’s Economics Class 12, Trueman’s Economics
- Maths: RD Sharma, U-Like Practice Papers
Question Banks & Sample Papers
- Oswaal CBSE Question Bank for Commerce
- Xam Idea & Together With Series
- Arihant’s Sample Papers Commerce Stream
Online Platforms & Mock Tests
- Unacademy Class 12 Commerce
- Adda247 CBSE Commerce Test Series
- StudyIQ & EduRev
For Arts/Humanities Stream Students
The core subjects for arts/ humanities stream students are History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, and English.
NCERT Textbooks
NCERT remains the single most important resource for Humanities subjects.
- History (Themes of Indian History I, II & III)
- Political Science (Contemporary World Politics + Politics in India Since Independence)
- Sociology (Indian Society + Social Change and Development)
- Geography (Fundamentals + India: People and Economy)
- Psychology: Class 12 NCERT
- English Core (Flamingo + Vistas + Writing Skills)
Reference Books
- History: Together With History
- Political Science: Arihant’s All-in-One for Political Science
- Sociology: Arihant Sociology Guide
- English: Xam Idea English Core
Sample Papers & Question Banks
- Oswaal Sample Papers (Arts Stream)
- Together with Question Banks
- Educart and CBSE Sample Papers
Online Resources
- Sarthaks eConnect & Doubtnut
- CBSE Academic Website (Sample papers + Blueprint)
Bonus Tips for All Streams
- Stick to the Syllabus: Focus only on the CBSE syllabus. Avoid studying topics that aren’t part of the curriculum to save time and avoid confusion.
- Plan a 90-Day Strategy: Allocate your days wisely- split your schedule into learning new topics, revising previously studied content, and practicing questions through tests.
- Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice at least the last 5 years’ CBSE board papers for each subject to understand question patterns, improve speed, and build confidence.
- Use Mind Maps and Flashcards: Create visual tools like mind maps and flashcards to simplify revision, especially for subjects that involve heavy theory like Biology or Political Science.
- Take Regular Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests under timed, exam-like conditions to evaluate your preparation level and identify weak areas for targeted improvement.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re preparing for Science, Commerce, or Arts, Class 12 board exams demand discipline, clarity, and smart resource selection. Instead of hoarding every book out there, choose a handful of the most effective ones and use them thoroughly. Stick to NCERT for concepts, pick a trusted reference book for advanced understanding, and practice using the best question banks and test series available.
With the right resources and consistent effort, cracking the CBSE Class 12 exams is absolutely achievable.
