If you're prepping for JEE Mains Chemistry and feeling overwhelmed by the stack of books on your table, I get it.
Been there. Done that.
Back when I was studying (at what's now the best IIT JEE coaching center in Nagpur, by the way), the pressure to grab the "right" books was intense. Some folks swore by thick reference guides. Others carried handwritten notes like they were ancient scrolls.
But you know what quietly stood out?
The good old NCERT.
Not flashy.
Not hyped.
But solid.
If you're wondering whether it's worth sticking to NCERT for Chemistry, especially for JEE Mains, here's my honest take on why it matters more than people admit.
5 Benefits of Studying from NCERT for JEE Mains Chemistry
1. NCERT Covers Exactly What JEE Mains Asks
Let's not overthink this. JEE Mains questions literally come from NCERT. Like, word for word, in many cases.
You don't need to believe me.
Just go through the past 10 years of JEE Mains Chemistry papers.
What you'll notice:
1. Direct questions lifted straight from NCERT sentences.
2. Same examples. Same structures.
3. Even the weird-sounding terminology—yep, NCERT.
So instead of chasing every reference book that looks smart on your shelf, ask yourself:
"Am I clear with every single line in NCERT?"
At the best IIT JEE coaching center in Nagpur, our mentors would quiz us on paragraphs from the NCERT. Not because they were being strict. But because they knew—this is where the marks are.
2. Concepts Are Explained Without Unnecessary Complexity
Some books try to show off. Let's be real.
You pick them up, and suddenly you're reading about molecular orbital theory like it's written for a PhD thesis.
NCERT doesn't do that.
Instead, it sticks to:
1. Clear language.
2. Step-by-step explanations.
3. Straightforward definitions.
For example:
When you're studying chemical bonding or thermodynamics, NCERT keeps things manageable. It explains the "why" without going off-track.
If you're someone who struggles with information overload (I definitely did during Class 11), NCERT is a great way to build your foundation before jumping into advanced material.
Honestly, what's the point of solving 100 questions if you don't get the core concept?
3. Great for Quick Revision
This one's underrated.
When you're two weeks away from the exam, you don't want to flip through massive 500-page books. You just need:
1. Key reactions.
2. Formulas.
3. Common exceptions.
4. Highlighted tables.
Guess where all of that is neatly arranged? Yep—NCERT.
I used to highlight and annotate my NCERT Chemistry textbook during coaching sessions. By the time January hit, I could revise entire chapters in under 30 minutes. No switching books. No confusion.
Here's what worked best:
1. Use sticky notes for exceptions and shortcuts.
2. Keep a revision list of reactions directly from the NCERT.
3. Make a table of important compounds from chapters like the p-block elements.
It saved me hours.
And in an exam like JEE Mains, those hours matter.
4. NCERT Builds a Strong Base for Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry
Each branch of Chemistry needs a different approach. And NCERT helps you handle all three without losing your mind.
For Physical Chemistry:
1. The formulas and theory in the NCERT are exactly what the JEE expects.
2. You don't need fancy derivations. You just need clarity.
3. Once you get that, solving numbers becomes way easier.
For Organic Chemistry:
1. This is where people go book-hopping like crazy.
2. But here's the thing: the reaction mechanisms and named reactions in NCERT are often the ones JEE asks.
3. Focus on the why behind reactions. Not just the steps.
For Inorganic Chemistry:
1. If you skip NCERT here, you're in trouble.
2. Most inorganic questions are direct. And they're from—guess where?—NCERT tables and lines.
3. Learn it line by line. Seriously. Treat it like a memory test.
A friend of mine who got 99.4 percentile in JEE Mains?
He swore by just one book for Chemistry revision. NCERT.
5. Reduces Distraction and Boosts Focus
Ever felt like you're spending more time choosing what to study than actually studying?
That's what happens when you juggle 5 different books.
You think you're preparing more, but it's just more noise.
NCERT does the opposite. It gives you:
1. A clean, structured syllabus.
2. No extra fluff.
3. No irrelevant theories.
If you're studying at a top coaching center like the one in Nagpur, your teacher probably tells you this too. It's not about how many hours you study. It's about what you study during those hours.
And with NCERT, your direction is already clear.
How to Study NCERT for Maximum JEE Mains Advantage
Reading NCERT like a storybook won't help. You need a method.
Here's what worked for me and many others:
Read every line carefully.
Not just the bold ones. Not just the tables.
Even the side notes and example boxes matter.
Make short notes
Write down reactions, formulas, and key exceptions on flashcards or a notebook.
Highlight tricky definitions
Especially in chapters like Chemical Kinetics, Coordination Compounds, and Hydrocarbons.
Solve back questions
NCERT's end-of-chapter questions are gold. Practice them like mock tests.
Re-read chapters
Once is never enough. The third or fourth time is when you start seeing the patterns.
What Coaching Experts in Nagpur Say
I spoke with a few mentors at the best IIT JEE coaching center in Nagpur, and here's the common advice:
1. "Most students ignore NCERT till it's too late."
2. "We see a clear pattern—those who score high in Chemistry usually master NCERT first."
3. "If you want 95+ percentile, you can't afford to leave even one NCERT line."
Simple, right? But people overcomplicate it.
There's no secret formula.
There's no shortcut.
But if you're looking for something that works, something that helps without overwhelming you, NCERT is it.
So yeah, grab that old textbook.
Highlight it. Annotate it. Read it again.
Because sometimes, the best prep isn't in the fanciest books—it's in the one you already have.
