JEE Main 2026: Is studying only NCERT enough to crack JEE Main 2026?

JEE Main 2026: Every year, millions of students appear for the JEE Main exam. This entrance exam provides admission to B.Tech/B.E. courses in the country's leading engineering colleges, such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Almost every student preparing for the exam wonders whether the NCERT books alone are sufficient for JEE Main preparation. The JEE Main 2026 exam will be held in two sessions. The first session will be held in January, and the second session in April.

This question cannot be answered with a definitive "yes" or "no." Let's understand in detail the role of NCERT for JEE Main 2026 and what other preparation is necessary.

Why is it important to read NCERT books?
NCERT books are considered the backbone of JEE Main preparation. First, approximately 60-70% of the JEE Main syllabus is directly linked to NCERT, especially in Chemistry. NCERT books cover the basic theory for both board exams and JEE. Furthermore, the fundamental concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Maths are most clearly understood through these books.

For example, in Chemistry, many questions in Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry are almost exclusively taken from the NCERT. Therefore, studying NCERT thoroughly—including all examples, exercises, and data tables—builds a strong foundation.

Why is NCERT alone not enough?
NCERT books are essential for understanding concepts during JEE preparation. However, the level of JEE Main goes beyond mere memorization or basic theory. You need to utilize the three components: NCERT, Reference Books, and Practice Papers.
Physics and Maths require conceptual application.
JEE questions demand multi-step reasoning and problem-solving skills.

NCERT doesn't have high-level questions or tricky numerical methods like JEE.

Which books to read along with the NCERT?
To prepare for JEE Main, you should read some other books along with the NCERT books. Some important books are:
Physics: Concepts of Physics (H.C. Verma), Understanding Physics Series (D.C. Pandey)

Chemistry: O.P. Tandon, M.S. Chauhan (Organic), N. Awasthi (Physical)
Mathematics: R.D. Sharma (Objective), Cengage or Arihant Series

What should be your strategy for JEE Main preparation?
Complete NCERT first – including exercises and examples for each chapter.
Build clarity on concepts – don't just memorize, understand the "why" and "how."
Practice from reference books – solve difficult questions after each topic.
Take mock tests and PYQs (Previous Year Questions) regularly.
Prepare Revision Notes – so that you can revise quickly before the exam.

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