Best Books & Question Bank for CBSE Class 12 2025-26 Board Exam

Best Books & Question Bank for CBSE Class 12: When preparing for board exams or competitive tests, practicing previous years’ questions (PYQs) can make a major difference in performance. However, the key lies not just in solving PYQs, but in using the right resources based on your specific situation.

This blog will help you determine which type of book or resource is ideal for you, depending on your study pattern and current preparation level.

Why Focus on PYQs?

PYQs help students:

• Understand the exam pattern
• Identify commonly asked questions
• Practice competency-based and application-oriented questions
• Strengthen topic-wise conceptual clarity

But the effectiveness of PYQ practice heavily depends on whether you’re using well-organized, up-to-date, and chapter-wise segregated material.

First Step: Identify Your Student Category

Before selecting a resource, students should assess their current study routine. Broadly, there are two types of students when it comes to exam preparation, and each has different needs.

Type A Students – Using NCERT + General Reference Book (without focused PYQs)

Students in this group rely on:

• NCERT textbooks as the base
• One extra reference book that supports practice

The Problem?

Most general reference books include only a limited number of PYQs. There is no structured, chapter-wise, or topic-wise segregation of past questions. More importantly, these books often lack coverage of the latest three years of competency-based or case-study-based questions, which are becoming increasingly important.

Solution:

Students in this category definitely need a dedicated PYQ book, one that organizes questions chapter-wise, focuses on recent patterns, and offers deep practice through topic segregation. A book designed specifically for PYQs will help fill the gap left by general reference guides.

Type B Students – Using NCERT + Structured Question Banks

This group of students is already following a structured question bank alongside NCERT, such as:

• Topic-wise or chapter-wise practice sets
• Mind maps
• Summary notes
• Important questions included

These question banks often reflect the recent exam trends and offer a more organized approach to learning.

Popular Choice: MTG Books for Class 12 (2025–26)

For students in Type B, one of the most trusted resources is the MTG 100% series, widely used for CBSE Class 12 preparation. These books are specifically designed to match the latest 2025–26 board exam syllabus and structure. They offer:

• Chapter-wise PYQs
• Competency-based and case-study questions
• Mind maps and revision notes
• Updated practice sets based on current trends

If you’re already using an MTG book, you’re likely covering a solid base of PYQs and question types. In that case, there’s no urgent need to buy another PYQ book; just focus on finishing your current resource thoroughly first.

Should Type B Students Buy a Dedicated PYQ Book?

If you’re using a structured question bank such as the popular 100% Book by MTG, you’re already covering many essential elements:

• Chapter-wise PYQs
• Mind maps and short notes
• Key questions based on recent trends

While the number of PYQs in such books may be limited and selectively chosen, they still provide solid exposure to past questions in a chapter-wise format.

In this case, there’s no immediate need to purchase a separate PYQ book. Instead, your first priority should be to completely finish the question bank you’ve already selected.

When Should You Consider Buying a Dedicated PYQ Book?

Once you’ve completed your current question bank, ideally in 2 to 3 months, you can then shift to a specialized PYQ book. This dedicated resource should offer:

• Chapter-wise and topic-wise segregation
• Focused practice on competency-based questions, especially from the last 3 years
• Exposure to real answer-writing patterns used by top-performing students

This approach ensures you’re not overloading yourself early on and allows you to build a strong foundation before diving deeper into extensive PYQ practice.

For Students Short on Time but Want More PYQs

If you’re already solving some PYQs through your question bank but want more extensive, chapter-wise practice, and don’t have time to wait, you can turn to free resources.

Top Free Resources to Access PYQs:

1. YouTube Playlists:
   There are curated playlists like “Lalkaar PYQs” available on YouTube for different subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc. These include chapter-wise collections of PYQs from the last 10 years.
   
2. Google Search:
   A quick search can lead you to various educational websites and PDFs offering free PYQ sets. Use filters to find resources specific to your class and board.

These free options are great for students with limited budgets or those looking to enhance their practice without purchasing new books immediately.

Why Recent Sample Papers Matter as Much as PYQs

While most students focus on previous year question papers (PYQs), there’s one more essential resource that should be treated with equal importance: CBSE’s official sample papers.

These sample papers are released every year by the board and reflect the latest pattern, question types, and competencies expected from students. A good PYQ book must include these sample paper questions, especially those from the past 2–3 years.

When selecting a PYQ resource, students should ensure that it includes:

• Questions from official CBSE sample papers
• Recently introduced competency-based questions
• Updated formats as per the latest board guidelines

Only then will the preparation truly align with the current board expectations.

Two Approaches to PYQ Practice

When preparing with PYQs, students should follow a two-tiered approach:

1. Recent PYQs (Last 3 Years)

These are crucial because the exam pattern has changed in recent years, focusing more on:

• Application-based questions
  
• Competency-based assessments
  
• Real-life and case-study-based scenarios
  

Practicing these questions helps students align with the modern CBSE evaluation model.

2. Comprehensive PYQs (Last 10 Years)

This approach builds depth. Covering a full decade of PYQs ensures that:

• Important recurring concepts are revised
  
• Question patterns across years are understood
  
• Students get a broader perspective on how questions evolve

Recommended Resource: Champions Book for PYQs

For those aiming to cover both recent and older PYQs effectively, the Champions Book is a highly recommended resource.

Here’s what it offers:

• Chapter-wise and topic-wise segregation of PYQs
• More than 1,700 PYQs from the last 10 years
• 50% focus on competency-based questions
• Multi-color Rapid Revision Hack Sheets
• Subject-specific mind maps for last-minute prep
• Well-structured content for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology

Whether you’re preparing for CBSE board exams or competitive entrances, this book is designed to meet current academic demands.

Students can choose subject-specific sets: Physics, Chemistry, Maths, or Biology, based on their stream. The link to access this book is generally available in video descriptions or official education portals.

What Makes the Champions Book Stand Out?

• Includes revision notes and mind maps for concept clarity
• Prioritizes competency-focused questions, not just factual ones
• Presents content in a color-coded, visual format for quick understanding
• Balances both recent pattern questions and classical PYQs
• Suitable for both self-study and as a companion to tuition or school material

What Else Should the Ideal PYQ Book Offer?

A high-quality PYQ book shouldn’t just include previous year questions — it should offer a complete revision and exam readiness package. The Champions Book, for example, stands out because of the multi-dimensional tools it provides:

Graphical and Visual Learning Support

The book includes graphical analysis to help visualize trends and question patterns. This makes it easier to understand which topics carry more weight and how often they’re tested.

Inclusion of Official Sample Paper Questions

Since CBSE’s official sample papers are released annually and reflect the current pattern, the book treats those questions as PYQs. These are fully integrated within the content, ensuring students get exposure to real board-level expectations.

Practice Sample Papers Included

At the end of the book, students also get to solve full-length sample papers, allowing for exam-level practice and time management.

Additional Features That Make a Difference

• Hints and suggestions are included throughout the book to guide students on how to present answers effectively.
• Insight into how toppers structure their answers, which helps students improve their own answer writing for board exams.
• Easy-to-follow design that supports both independent learners and students juggling multiple exam preparations.

In short, the book is a comprehensive resource for students who want:

• Chapter-wise PYQs
• Official sample paper questions
• Practice sheets and revision tools
• Answer-writing strategies

For Students with Time Constraints: Focus on Selected PYQs

Not every student has the luxury of time to go through a full-fledged PYQ book, especially those preparing for competitive exams alongside board exams. For such students, the best approach is to:

• Focus only on selected PYQs, particularly from the last three years
• Skip less relevant or older questions and concentrate on competency-based and recent pattern questions

How to Access These Select PYQs

1. Use a Resource That Filters the Last 3 Years’ PYQs

If you already own a book or online material that offers PYQs from recent years, use that strategically.

2. Leverage Free YouTube Playlists

Channels like Lalkaar PYQs offer subject-wise playlists (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.) focused on recent board trends. These are free and can be consumed quickly.

3. Search and Curate Manually

If you don’t have a ready-made resource, consider manually collecting recent PYQs using:

• YouTube playlists
• Official CBSE portals
• Educational websites offering free downloads

This curated, time-efficient approach is ideal for students who want maximum return on limited time investment.

Low-Cost, High-Impact PYQ Preparation: Self-Help Strategies That Work

Not every student opts to purchase a dedicated PYQ book. The good news? Self-driven preparation is completely possible, and it can even help you save money.

With just a bit of effort, students can:

• Access official board papers from 2023 and 2024 freely available online.
• Download and print different paper sets directly from Google or CBSE websites.
• Practice questions directly from real board exams, including all regional sets.

This method not only ensures that you’re practicing authentic and recent questions, but also saves significant costs while keeping your prep relevant and focused.

An Exclusive Resource for Maths: Handwritten Question Bank (500 Questions)

For students specifically focusing on Mathematics, a specially compiled PYQ and expected question bank is available. It includes:

• 500 selected questions, handpicked from the years 2023, 2024, and projected trends for 2025.
• High-quality, handwritten question sheets that go beyond standard PYQs.
• A mix of:
  
  • Competency-based questions
  • High-frequency PYQs
  • Extra expected questions based on current patterns

This exclusive question bank acts like a focused, ready-made guide for those aiming for precision practice. It’s designed for students who want quality over quantity, and prefer a curated approach over wading through full-length textbooks.

For subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, students are encouraged to:

• Do a little extra hunting for similar resources
• Search YouTube playlists, blogs, and educational forums that offer free and structured question sets

Final Thoughts: Best Books & Question Bank for CBSE Class 12

Buying a dedicated PYQ book can be a game-changer, but only if you genuinely need it. If you’re not using any structured resources yet, a PYQ book is a smart and affordable way to get exam-ready. But if you already own a quality question bank like MTG, focus on completing that thoroughly before buying anything else. 

Don’t collect books, complete them. The key isn’t how many resources you have, but how well you use them. Study smart, stay consistent, and remember: mastering the pattern is just as important as knowing the content. All the best!