You might feel confused and overwhelmed when you are preparing for any engineering entrance exams like JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, or SRMJEEE as there are a lot of books and online resources. But with this blog, you don’t have to worry about that.
In this blog you will explore the best books and online resources that you need to clear your engineering exam with ease.
Overview of Engineering Entrance Exam
| Exam Name | Subjects Covered | Total Marks | Mode of Exam | 
|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Main | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | 300 | Online | 
| JEE Advanced | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Varies (Approx. 360) | Online | 
| BITSAT | Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English & Logical Reasoning | 390 | Online | 
| VITEEE | Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology, Aptitude | 125 | Online | 
| SRMJEEE | Physics, Chemistry, Maths/Biology | 125 | Online | 
Best Books for engineering exams preparation
Following is a list of best study material that you can refer to for preparing notes and practice for your test:
A) Physics:
| Purpose | Book Title | Author / Publication | 
|---|---|---|
| Concept Building | Concepts of Physics Vol 1 & 2 | H.C. Verma | 
| Problem Solving | Fundamentals of Physics | Resnick, Halliday & Walker | 
| Advanced Practice | Problems in General Physics | I.E. Irodov | 
| Quick Revision | Understanding Physics Series | D.C. Pandey (Arihant) | 
B) Chemistry:
| Purpose | Book Title | Author / Publication | 
|---|---|---|
| Physical Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | P. Bahadur | 
| Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd | 
| Inorganic Chemistry | Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee | 
| Objective Practice | NCERT Exemplar + N Avasthi Series | NCERT / N. Avasthi | 
C) Mathematics:
| Purpose | Book Title | Author / Publication | 
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual Foundation | IIT Mathematics | M.L. Khanna | 
| Problem Practice | Problems in Calculus of One Variable | I.A. Maron | 
| Algebra | Higher Algebra | Hall & Knight | 
| Objective & Revision | Objective Mathematics | R.D. Sharma | 
| Practice Papers | Cengage Mathematics Series | G. Tewani (Cengage) | 
NCERT Books
Many students often overlook NCERT books as they believe they are too basic. But these books are very important because:
1. Making your conceptual base strong
2. For fundamental definition and laws
3. Preparing for direct factual questions like in JEE Main and BITSAT.
Top Online resources and Learning Platforms
Following are some of the best online resources and coaching platforms that provide world-class education:
| Platform | Key Features | Best For | 
|---|---|---|
| Unacademy | Live classes, doubt solving, mock tests | Complete JEE prep with structured courses | 
| BYJU’S | Visual learning, adaptive quizzes | Conceptual clarity and beginners | 
| Vedantu | Interactive live classes, personal mentorship | Regular doubt resolution | 
| Physics Wallah (PW) | Affordable video lectures & notes | Budget-friendly quality education | 
| Resonance / Allen Digital | Recorded lectures, test series | Serious JEE aspirants | 
| Embibe | AI-driven performance analytics | Practice tests and score improvement | 
| Toppr / Doubtnut | Concept videos, instant doubt solving | Self-study and quick revisions | 
Coaching v/s Self Study: Which one is Better?
The answer to this question depends upon your learning style.
Coaching Benefits:
1. Covers syllabus in a structured way
2. Doubt clearing and expert guidance
3. Peer competition motivates your performance
Self Study Benefits:
1. There can be flexibility in scheduling
2. It saves time and money
3. It encourages independent learning and in-depth understanding
How to make a smart study plan?
| Phase | Duration | Focus Area | 
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Jan – June | Build concepts using NCERT & standard books | 
| Phase 2 | July – October | Intensive practice & chapter-wise tests | 
| Phase 3 | November – December | Mock tests, PYQs & revision notes | 
| Final Phase | January (Pre-Exam) | Time management & weak area improvement | 
Importance of Mock test and Practice
It is important to practice regularly and take practice tests to evaluate yourself and see your strengths and weaknesses.
1. Attempt one full mock test every week.
2. Analyze your mistakes and make a note of it so that you won’t repeat it.
3. Focus on improving time management and accuracy
Common Mistakes to Avoid during Exam preparation
1. Jumping directly into advanced books and not focusing on the basics can lead to confusion.
2. A lot of books can also create a lot of confusion. So take a maximum of two books per subject for easy flow.
3. If you skip mock tests then you won’t get enough practice which can reduce your speed and accuracy.
4. If you don’t have regular revision then it might lead to forgetting the answer at the last minute.
5. If you have an inconsistent schedule then you might not finish your tasks on time.
FAQ’s
1. Which books are best for JEE Main and Advanced Physics?
Ans: You can refer to H.C. Verma, I.E. Irodov, and Resnick, Halliday & Walker. For additional practice, refer to D.C. Pandey’s Understanding Physics Series.
2. How many hours should I study daily for JEE?
Ans: Studying for 5-6 hours daily consistently can help you clear JEE.
3. Can I prepare for an engineering entrance exam without coaching?
Ans: Yes you can. With proper self study, books, material, online resources, you can prepare for an engineering exam without coaching.
4. Are NCERT books enough for JEE Main?
Ans: Yes. NCERT books cover 60 to 70% of JEE Main questions conceptually. However,if you are preparing for JEE Advanced, you’ll need additional reference books for problem-solving.
5. Which are the best coaching platforms for engineering entrance exams?
Ans: Unacademy, Vedantu, Physics Wallah, and Allen Digital are among the top online platforms with expert teachers and test series.
6. How early should I start preparing for the engineering entrance exam?
Ans: Ideally from Class 11, so you have two full years to cover the syllabus thoroughly.

