How To Choose The Best Reference Book For CBSE Class 10 Preparation?

Introduction 

Preparing for CBSE Class 10 is a turning point in every student’s school journey. It’s the first board exam experience, and the marks scored here not only boost confidence but also set the foundation for Class 11 and future competitive exams. While CBSE textbooks for Class 10 form the core of learning, choosing the best reference books for Class 10 CBSE plays an equally important role in mastering the syllabus, clearing doubts, and ensuring higher scores.

Let’s explore how to choose the right CBSE study guide for Class 10, compare the popular options like Oswaal and All in One, and understand what makes the All in One series a favorite among toppers and teachers alike.

Understand What A Reference Book Really Means

Before choosing, it’s essential to know the difference between a textbook and a reference book.

• Textbooks, like the NCERT CBSE textbook for Class 10, give you the basic concepts prescribed by the CBSE Board.
• Reference books, on the other hand, help you go beyond the basics by explaining concepts in a detailed and easy way, offering additional examples, questions, and exam practice.

So, if you aim to score 90% or above, relying solely on NCERT might not be enough. You’ll need the best guide books for Class 10 CBSE that simplify learning, provide exam-focused practice, and make revision efficient.

What To Look For In The Best Reference Book For Class 10 CBSE?

While choosing the right Reference Books For Class 10, keep these key points in mind:

a) Complete NCERT Coverage

A good reference book must explain every line and concept of the NCERT textbook. This ensures your preparation stays in line with the board’s requirements.

b) Based on the Latest CBSE Syllabus

The best books for CBSE Class 10 should strictly follow the latest CBSE syllabus (2025-26). Even a small outdated topic can waste precious time and cause confusion.

c) Concept Clarity with Visuals

Flowcharts, diagrams, and infographics make difficult topics easy to understand. Visual learning also improves retention and makes revision faster.

d) Practice-Oriented Structure

The best reference books for Class 10 CBSE offer solved examples, “Try These” questions, and exam pattern exercises after every topic. This ensures concept clarity through application.

e) Real Board Exam Questions

Practice questions from previous board exams help you understand the actual difficulty level and marking scheme. Always choose a book that includes solved Board Questions from the last few years.

What Makes All In One For Class 10 Unique?

This is one of the most common questions among students — Let’s look at a quick comparison to help you decide.

Verdict:
If you’re looking for in-depth understanding, complete theory, and systematic exam practice, Arihant’s All in One stands out as the more comprehensive and student-friendly choice.
However, if you already have strong concepts and want only practice papers, Oswaal can be used as a supplementary resource.

What Are The Best Books For Class 10 To Score 90%?

To score above 90%, follow a mix of NCERT + Reference Books.
Here’s an ideal subject-wise list of the best books for Class 10 CBSE:

• Mathematics: NCERT + Arihant’s All in One Mathematics
• Science: NCERT + All in One Science (Complete NCERT coverage with solved examples)
• English: NCERT + All in One English Language & Literature
• Social Science: NCERT + All in One Social Science (maps, timelines, key facts)
• Hindi: NCERT + Arihant’s All in One Hindi A/B

These books provide full chapter explanations, concept clarity, and ample exam practice — making them the best reference books for Class 10 CBSE if your goal is to achieve 90% and above.

Features Of The All In One Book Series That Makes It Unique

The All In One series by Arihant has been the No. 1 CBSE study guide for Class 10 for over a decade — trusted by lakhs of teachers and students across India.
Let’s explore why it continues to be the top choice:

·        Complete NCERT Coverage: Every concept, line, and exercise from the NCERT textbook is explained in detail, ensuring you don’t miss a single topic from the official syllabus.

·        Based on the Latest Syllabus 2025–26: The book is updated every year as per the CBSE’s latest guidelines, question paper pattern, and typology of questions.

·        Chapter Intro: Each chapter begins with a short introduction that gives an overview of the topics covered, helping students build a roadmap for study.

·        Simplified Theory: Concepts are presented in easy language, supported by definitions, facts, figures, and flowcharts for clarity.

·        Solved Examples: Between the theory sections, solved examples demonstrate how to apply concepts to actual board-level questions.

·        Try These: Mini practice sets of 3–5 questions after every topic keep students actively engaged and improve concept application.

·        NCERT Folder: Contains detailed explanations of all NCERT exercise questions, ensuring you can solve every problem confidently.

·        NCERT Exemplar Problems: Selected Exemplar questions are included for advanced practice, strengthening conceptual understanding.

·        Mind Maps: Visually summarize the chapter for quick and effective revision — a must-have during the exam period.

·        Illustrative Figures: Well-labeled diagrams and illustrations make learning more interactive and easy to retain.

·        Review Practice: Includes a mix of all types of exam-oriented questions — short, long, and case-based.

·        Assessment Exercise: A full-length test at the end of each chapter helps students assess their preparation in an exam-like format.

·        Board Exam Questions: Contains selected questions from the last 6 years of CBSE board exams, helping students understand patterns and commonly asked topics.

·        CBSE Examination Papers & Sample Papers: At the end of the book, the latest CBSE 2025 sample papers and previous exam papers are added for final practice.

·        Experiments & Practical Section: For Science students, all lab experiments are explained clearly as per the CBSE’s practical syllabus.

Why All In One Is The Best CBSE Study Guide For Class 10?

The All In One series is designed keeping in mind three key pillars of board exam success — Concept Clarity, Regular Practice, and Smart Revision.

It’s not just a reference book — it’s a complete study guide that bridges the gap between NCERT and real exam performance.

Here’s why teachers and toppers recommend it:

• It builds a strong foundation through crystal-clear theory.
• It ensures 100% syllabus coverage for all CBSE subjects.
• It offers board-level questions for real exam exposure.
• It helps students revise faster with visual tools like mind maps and flowcharts.

If your goal is to score 90% or above, All In One should be your go-to book for all-round preparation.

Conclusion

Choosing the best reference book for Class 10 CBSE is not just about buying another guide — it’s about selecting a study companion that aligns with your learning style and exam goals.
While NCERT textbooks for Class 10 remain the foundation, Arihant’s All In One series stands out as the best guide book for Class 10 CBSE, combining clarity, coverage, and confidence — everything a student needs to ace the boards. Remember — if you’re looking for the most trusted CBSE study guide for Class 10, the answer lies right in the name: All In One.

FAQs

1.     Which Is Better, Oswaal Or All In One For Class 10?

Both Oswaal and All in One are popular among CBSE students, but they serve slightly different purposes.

If your goal is to understand concepts deeply, strengthen theory, and revise systematically, Arihant’s All in One is the better choice. It provides:

• Complete NCERT & NCERT Exemplar coverage
• Simplified theory with definitions, flowcharts, and solved examples
• Practice through “Try These,” “Review Practice,” and “Assessment Exercises”
• Mind maps and previous years’ Board questions for quick revision

Oswaal Books focus more on sample papers, previous year questions, and quick practice, making them ideal for final-month revision.

2.     What Are The Best Books For Class 10 To Score 90%?

To score 90% or above in CBSE Class 10, you need a perfect blend of concept clarity, practice, and revision. Here’s the ideal combination:

·        NCERT Textbooks (Foundation):

Start with the official CBSE textbooks for Class 10 — they form the core of every exam question.

·        All in One By Arihant (Reference):

The All in One series is the most trusted CBSE study guide for Class 10. It covers the entire syllabus with easy explanations, solved examples, NCERT Exemplar problems, mind maps, and board-based practice papers.