Choosing the right Class 10 Maths book can make your preparation easier, but choosing too many books can actually make it harder. With so many reference books, question banks, and sample paper books available in the market, students and parents often wonder: Which is the best book for Class 10 Maths? Is NCERT enough? Should I buy RD Sharma or RS Aggarwal? Do I need a question bank too?
The simple answer is that there is no single “best” Maths book for every Class 10 student.
Your choice should depend on your current level, your target marks, how much time you have and whether you need conceptual practice or exam-oriented questions.
For CBSE students, however, one thing should remain constant: NCERT Mathematics should be the foundation of your preparation. The reference books should come after you have properly understood and practised the NCERT textbook.
In this guide, ShikshaNest takes a practical look at some of the best books for Class 10 Maths, including NCERT, R.D. Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal, NCERT Exemplar and exam-oriented question banks.
Why Choosing the Right Class 10 Maths Book Matters
Class 10 Maths is not a subject that you can usually master by simply reading a chapter once.
You need to understand the concept, see how the formula is applied, solve different types of questions and then practise enough to become comfortable with the topic.
This is why the right study material matters.
A good Maths book should help you:
- Understand concepts clearly
- Practise questions of different difficulty levels.
- Identify your weak chapters.
- Improve calculation speed
- Develop problem-solving ability
- Become familiar with different question formats.
- Prepare for school examinations and board examinations.
At the same time, buying four or five reference books doesn’t automatically improve your marks.
In fact, many students make the mistake of collecting study material instead of completing it.
One book that you actually finish is much more useful than three books sitting untouched on your study table.
1. NCERT Mathematics Class 10 – The First Book You Should Complete
If you are preparing for the CBSE Class 10 Maths examination, NCERT Mathematics should be your starting point and your most important textbook.
Before moving to a reference book, make sure you understand the NCERT chapters, examples and exercises properly.
The current CBSE curriculum for Class 10 includes Mathematics as a main subject, and students should always ensure that the books and additional study material they use align with the latest applicable syllabus.
Why NCERT is important
NCERT is particularly useful because it gives you the basic concepts and standard question types you need before moving to more extensive practice.
A good approach is:
Read the concept → Study the solved examples → Solve the exercises → Check your mistakes → Revise.
Don’t just look at the solution when you get stuck.
Try the question yourself first.
If you cannot solve it, identify exactly where you got stuck. Was it the formula? The concept? Calculation? Understanding the question?
That habit is far more valuable than simply memorising solutions.
Who should use NCERT?
Every Class 10 CBSE Maths student.
Whether your target is 70 marks, 90 marks or 100 marks, NCERT should be part of your preparation.
2. R.D. Sharma Mathematics for Class 10
R.D. Sharma Mathematics for Class 10 is one of the most widely used reference books for students who want extensive Maths practice.
The biggest advantage of R.D. Sharma is the large variety of questions.
Once you have completed the relevant NCERT chapter, R.D. Sharma can give you additional practice and expose you to different approaches to solving problems.
Why students choose R.D. Sharma
R.D. Sharma is useful for students who:
- Want extensive practice
- Enjoy solving challenging questions.
- Need more examples after NCERT.
- Want stronger conceptual understanding.
- Are targeting very high marks
- May also be interested in competitive or advanced-level preparation
However, there is an important catch.
You do not necessarily need to solve every question in the book.
R.D. Sharma can be considerably more extensive than what a student needs for straightforward board preparation. Recent discussions among students and educators also highlight this issue: the book is useful, but trying to complete everything can consume a lot of time.
Our suggestion
Use R.D. Sharma selectively.
For example:
NCERT → Identify weak topic → Practise selected R.D. Sharma questions → Return to PYQs
This is much more efficient than trying to finish every question simply because it is printed in the book.
3. R.S. Aggarwal Mathematics for Class 10
Another popular choice among Class 10 students is R.S. Aggarwal Mathematics.
Compared with a very extensive reference book, many students find R.S. Aggarwal more straightforward for additional practice.
It provides a variety of questions and can be particularly useful if you want more practice after completing NCERT without going into extremely extensive problem sets.
R.S. Aggarwal is useful for:
- Additional board-level practice
- Students who want a structured question bank
- Improving confidence in standard problem types
- Students who find very lengthy reference books difficult to complete
One advantage of choosing a book like this is that students may be more likely to actually complete a meaningful portion of it.
And completion matters.
If you have limited time, don’t choose a reference book simply because somebody says it is “the toughest”.
Choose the book you can use consistently.
4. NCERT Exemplar Mathematics
Students who have already completed NCERT and want to improve their problem-solving skills should also consider NCERT Exemplar Mathematics.
The Exemplar is different from simply solving the regular textbook exercises.
It gives students additional problems that encourage deeper thinking and application of concepts.
This can be particularly useful for students who feel that they understand the basic chapter but struggle when the question is presented differently.
For example, you may know a formula perfectly but still struggle when a question combines two concepts.
That is where additional application-based practice becomes useful.
Who should use NCERT Exemplar?
It can be a good choice for:
- Students targeting 90%+
- Students who have completed NCERT
- Students who want additional conceptual practice
- Students preparing for more challenging questions
However, don’t jump to Exemplar before understanding your NCERT textbook.
Build the foundation first.
5. Arihant All-in-One Mathematics
Students who prefer having explanations, practice questions and revision material in a more consolidated format can consider an All-in-One style preparation book, such as Arihant’s Class 10 Mathematics preparation books.
These books can be convenient for students who don’t want to switch between too many resources.
An all-in-one book can be particularly useful when you want:
- Chapter-wise revision
- Explanations
- Practice questions
- Exam-oriented preparation
- Quick revision before tests
However, always check that the edition you purchase matches the latest CBSE syllabus and examination requirements.
This is important because students sometimes continue using older editions containing topics or question patterns that may no longer be relevant.
6. Oswaal and Other Question Banks
Question banks can be useful, especially when your preparation moves closer to the examination.
Books from publishers such as Oswaal and Educart offer exam-oriented practice material, including chapter-wise questions, competency-focused questions and sample-paper style preparation. Current Class 10 recommendations commonly include such question banks alongside NCERT and reference books.
But there is a difference between a reference book and a question bank.
A reference book is generally used to build and expand your practice.
A question bank is more useful for testing yourself and becoming familiar with different question formats.
So don’t buy a question bank thinking that it will replace your textbook.
RD Sharma vs R.S. Aggarwal: Which One Is Better?
This is probably one of the most common questions students ask.
The answer depends on your goals.
| Requirement | Better choice |
| Strong NCERT foundation | NCERT |
| Extensive practice | R.D. Sharma |
| Additional board-level practice | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Challenging problem-solving | R.D. Sharma |
| More manageable practice | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Deeper application practice | NCERT Exemplar |
| Exam-oriented revision | Question Bank |
| Limited study time | NCERT + selected PYQs |
There is no requirement to solve both R.D. Sharma and R.S. Aggarwal completely.
In fact, for many students, doing that would be unnecessary.
If you are already comfortable with Maths and have plenty of preparation time, R.D. Sharma can provide extensive practice.
If you want additional board-focused practice and prefer a more manageable resource, R.S. Aggarwal may be a better fit.
Which Books Should a Weak Maths Student Choose?
If Maths is currently your weak subject, don’t make the mistake of immediately buying the biggest and most difficult reference book you can find.
Start with NCERT.
Take one chapter at a time.
For example:
- Read the chapter carefully.
- Understand every formula.
- Study the solved examples.
- Solve the exercises without looking at the answers.
- Mark questions you couldn’t solve.
- Revise those concepts.
- Practise additional questions from one reference source.
If you still struggle with a topic such as quadratic equations, trigonometry or geometry, getting help from a Maths teacher can be more beneficial than buying another book.
Sometimes the problem isn’t the book.
The problem is that the student needs someone to explain the concept in a different way.
Which Books Are Best for Students Targeting 90% or 95%+?
If your target is 90% or higher, don’t assume that you need ten different books.
A practical combination could be:
Stage 1 – Build the foundation
NCERT Mathematics
Complete the textbook properly.
Stage 2 – Strengthen concepts
NCERT Exemplar or one good reference book
Choose based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Stage 3 – Exam practice
Previous Year Questions
Solve questions from previous examinations and identify recurring concepts and common mistakes.
Stage 4 – Final preparation
Sample papers and timed tests
Practise solving complete papers within the prescribed time.
This approach is generally more productive than constantly searching for another “best book”.
How to Use Maths Books Effectively
Buying a good book is only half the job.
The real difference comes from how you use it.
1. Don’t read Maths passively
Maths is not a subject where reading ten pages guarantees understanding.
Take a pen and solve the questions yourself.
2. Maintain a mistake notebook
Whenever you make an important mistake, write it down.
For example:
- Forgot a formula
- Sign error
- Calculation mistake
- Misread the question
- Used the wrong theorem
- Couldn’t identify the correct method
Review this notebook regularly.
3. Don’t look at solutions too quickly
Give yourself enough time to attempt the question.
If you immediately look at the solution, you may understand it but fail to develop the ability to solve a similar question independently.
4. Revise difficult chapters more often
Not every chapter requires the same amount of time.
If you are already strong in a topic, don’t spend three days practising easy questions.
Use that time on your weak areas.
5. Practise with a timer
As the board examination approaches, start solving complete papers under exam conditions.
This helps improve:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Time management
- Question selection
- Presentation
How Many Maths Books Should a Class 10 Student Buy?
For most students, you don’t need a shelf full of Maths books.
A sensible setup could be:
NCERT + One reference book/Exemplar + Previous Year Questions + Sample Papers
That’s enough for a serious preparation strategy.
Some students may need even less.
If you have limited time, completing NCERT thoroughly and solving good-quality PYQs can be more useful than starting a huge reference book that you won’t finish.
The goal isn’t to own the maximum number of books.
The goal is to solve the right questions and understand why the answers work.
Our Recommended Class 10 Maths Book Strategy
At ShikshaNest, we would keep the recommendation simple.
For an average Class 10 student:
NCERT → One reference book → PYQs → Sample Papers
For a student weak in Maths:
NCERT → Teacher support → Basic practice → PYQs
For a student targeting 90%+:
NCERT → Exemplar/Reference book → PYQs → Sample Papers
For a strong student targeting 95–100%:
NCERT → R.D. Sharma/Exemplar → Advanced practice → PYQs → Timed sample papers
The important point is that the sequence matters.
Don’t start with difficult reference questions before you have mastered the basics.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Book for Class 10 Maths?
If you were hoping for one magical answer, here it is:
NCERT Mathematics is the essential book for every CBSE Class 10 Maths student.
After completing NCERT, choose your additional material according to your needs.
R.D. Sharma is a strong option for extensive practice and students who want to challenge themselves.
R.S. Aggarwal is useful for additional practice and students who prefer a comparatively manageable reference resource.
NCERT Exemplar is valuable for deeper conceptual and application-based practice.
Question banks and sample papers become particularly useful for exam-oriented preparation and revision.
But remember: a good book cannot replace regular practice, revision and proper guidance.
If you are repeatedly getting stuck in Maths despite practising, you may not need another book. You may simply need the right teacher who can identify where you are making mistakes and explain the concept in a way that works for you.
Looking for a Class 10 Maths Tutor?
If you or your child needs help with Class 10 Maths, you don’t have to struggle alone.
You can post your learning requirement on ShikshaNest and connect with tutors who can help with your specific needs — whether you are looking for online Maths tuition, home tuition, CBSE preparation, board exam preparation or regular academic support.
👉 Post your learning requirement on ShikshaNest and find a suitable Maths tutor:
https://shikshanest.com/register/student
Tell us what you need, your class, subject, preferred mode of learning and location, and let tutors respond to your requirement.
The right book gives you questions. The right teacher can help you understand how to solve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best book for Class 10 Maths?
For CBSE students, NCERT Mathematics should be the first priority. After completing NCERT, students can choose R.D. Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal, NCERT Exemplar or an appropriate question bank depending on their preparation level.
Is NCERT enough for Class 10 Maths?
NCERT should be the foundation of your preparation. Students aiming for higher marks can supplement it with NCERT Exemplar, a suitable reference book, previous year questions and sample papers.
Is R.D. Sharma better than R.S. Aggarwal for Class 10 Maths?
Neither is universally better. R.D. Sharma is known for extensive practice and a wide range of questions, while R.S. Aggarwal can be a more manageable choice for additional board-oriented practice.
Can I score 90+ in Maths using NCERT?
Yes, a student can build a strong preparation using NCERT, but scoring very high also depends on conceptual understanding, consistent practice, previous year questions, sample papers and exam performance.
Should I solve both R.D. Sharma and R.S. Aggarwal?
Usually, there is no need to complete both. Choose one additional reference source according to your needs and spend your time solving it properly.
When should I start solving sample papers?
Sample papers are most useful after you have covered the syllabus and have enough command over the concepts. Start with chapter-wise practice and gradually move toward full-length timed papers as the examination approaches.
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