NCERT is extremely important, it is the foundation for board exams and a huge part of competitive exams like NEET, where a large share of questions come straight from NCERT lines. For most students, mastering NCERT first, before any reference book, is the single smartest move.
Why NCERT matters so much. Boards are based directly on it, and for NEET especially, roughly 70 to 80 percent of questions are NCERT-based, particularly in Biology. It is concise, accurate, and exactly aligned with what is asked.
Read it thoroughly, more than once. Do not skim. Read every line, including examples, diagrams, and summaries, because exam questions are often pulled from exactly those overlooked parts. Multiple readings make it stick.
Make notes and underline key points. As you read, underline important lines and note key terms, definitions, and diagrams. This turns NCERT into your personal revision resource for the final days.
Solve the in-text and back questions. The questions inside and at the end of each NCERT chapter are valuable practice and often appear in exams in some form. Do not skip them.
Add reference books only after NCERT. For competitive exams, use reference books for extra practice and depth, but only after your NCERT base is solid. NCERT first, references second.
One practical tip: Treat NCERT like the main textbook, not a backup. Read it so thoroughly that you could recall what is on each page. For boards and NCERT-heavy exams, deep NCERT mastery beats owning ten reference books.