Best Books for Any Competitive Exam: From Basics to Advanced Preparation

Preparing for competitive exams can sometimes feel like you are in a boat in the middle of an ocean without a clear path to follow. It is because there are so many books available in the market, creating confusion among aspirants. While some books are best for clearing the basics, others are perfect for practising exam pattern-specific questions.

In such a situation, choosing the best books for any competitive exam is a huge task. A right set of books can save your time, reduce your stress, and can get you on the right track of preparation. It helps you strengthen your basics and practise real exam-level problems, making you confident to crack any exam.

Whether you are a complete beginner starting from scratch or an advanced aspirant looking to take your preparation a step higher, the right set of books can make all the difference.

In this detailed guide, we will discuss the best books for English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and Reasoning. For each subject I will recommend two categories of books: one for beginners who need to build a strong foundation, and one for advanced learners who need exam-orientated practice and exposure to previous years papers.

These books are not just limited to SSC exams but are equally useful for banking, railways, defence, and other state-level exams. This means, no matter which exam you are targeting, this list will help you select the right study material.

Best English Books for Competitive Exams

For Beginners:

1. Objective General English by SP Bakshi

This book is one of the oldest and most trusted resources for English exam preparation. Grammar, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension are covered in great detail in this book. All the rules are explained with clarity which is very useful for beginners. Plenty of practice questions are provided at the end of each chapter so learners can quickly check their understanding. If your basics in English grammar are not strong, this book is perfect for you.

2. English for General Competitions Vol. 1 by Neetu Singh

This English book by Neetu Singh is quite favorite among aspirants. It breaks down English grammar into simple explanations that are easy for beginners to understand. Each topic is followed by exercises for practice. The language is simple, and the examples provided in the book reflect the actual exam pattern. Most importantly, Neetu mam has written the content with the SSC exam in mind, making it directly relevant to the exams. So you can follow this book for preparing any competitive exam.

👉 Both books are perfect for students who are just building their basics or preparing for competitive exams for the first time.

For Advanced Learners:

Kiran SSC English Language Chapterwise & Typewise Solved Papers

After clearing the basics, the next step is to solve real exam questions. The Kiran SSC English book is perfect for this. This book contains previous years SSC questions, organized chapter-wise and type-wise. Each question is accompanied by an explanation to select the correct answer. This helps you understand exam patterns and improve your accuracy. If your basics are clear, this book is highly recommended for those looking to improve both accuracy and speed.

Best Maths Books for Competitive Exams

For Beginners:

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal

This book by RS Aggarwal is considered as ‘The Bible‘ of math preparation for beginners. Each chapter of math is explained step by step with well-solved examples and exercises. First, simple examples, then slightly more difficult ones, and then practice sets are provided. The language is simple and easy to understand, making concepts easily understood. By following this book, you can build concepts from the basic level. If your mathematics basics are weak, this is the perfect book to start with.

For Advanced Learners:

1. Kiran SSC Mathematics Chapterwise Solved Papers

This book contains 11975+ previous years questions, organized chapter-wise and type-wise. This book is very useful for practicing current exam-level problems and repeated question patterns. Every question is solved using both basic and short-trick methods. Another special feature of this book is that it includes AI enabled feature. This book is perfect for advanced learners to take their preparation to the next level.

👉 For more information, you can read my post in which I have done a full review of this book. Please check it.

2. Rakesh Yadav SSC Maths 7300+ Book

Like the Kiran Maths book, this book is also a must-have for advanced students. Despite the plethora of books on the market, the Rakesh Yadav 7300+ Maths book remains quite popular among aspirants.This book contains 7300+ PYQs arranged chapter-wise and type-wise, with full explanations. And this book also offers video solutions. It also provides both basic and short-form methods for solving problems. Practicing this book multiple times improves both speed and accuracy, which is a crucial factor in cracking the exam.

👉 You can read the full review of Rakesh Yadav’s 7300+ Maths book here.

3. Pinnacle SSC Maths 6800+ Book

The Pinnacle SSC Maths book is a rising name among SSC aspirants and is quite popular these days. This book provides clear and structured theory for every topic in simple language. 6800+ previous year questions are arranged chapter-wise and type-wise in this book for your practice. Video support is also provided. This book is considered the best for self-study. That’s why it’s a favorite among toppers these days.

👉 You can read the full review of the Pinnacle Maths Book here.

Best GK Books for Competitive Exams

For Beginners:

1. Lucent General Knowledge

Lucent GK is India’s most popular GK book, and it’s unparalleled. Toppers’ favorite, this book covers history, geography, politics, economics, science, computers, and miscellaneous topics concisely. Beginners can start their GK preparation with the Lucent GK book. It builds a strong foundation in GK.

2. Arihant General Knowledge

Like the Lucent GK book, it also covers every topic, but in a slightly different style. The Arihant GK book explains topics in a simple and crisp manner, which is helpful for beginners. Additionally, this book also includes a Current Affairs section, which is not available in Lucent GK.

👉 Lucent GK vs Arihant GK – Which book is best for you? See the full comparison here.

For Advanced Learners:

Pinnacle SSC General Studies 6500+ Book

After studying the basics from the Lucent GK or Arihant GK book, you can practice questions from this book. The Pinnacle GS book provides in-depth coverage of every chapter and 6500+ PYQs based on the latest pattern. This book is perfect to keep you exam-ready.

👉 You can read the full review of Pinnacle SSC GS 6500+ book here where I have analyzed this book in detail.

Monthly Current Affairs Compilations

Current affairs updates are equally important for cracking any exam with Static GK. For this, Vision IAS, Drishti, or monthly magazines from other trusted publishers (Pratiyogita Darpan, Success Mirror, etc.) ae very useful. If you combine them with the Pinnacle GS 6500+ book, your GK preparation is complete.

👉 If you want to practice more PYQs then you can follow Kiran SSC General Knowledge book as an alternative.

Also Read: To crack any competitive exam, Motivation is also required, so here’s I have made a list of Top 5 Best Motivational Books for Students in 2025. Click Here

Best Reasoning Books for Competitive Exams

For Beginners:

1. A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal

This is the most widely recommended Reasoning book for beginners. If you want to learn the basics of reasoning, this book is perfect for you. It explains both verbal and non-verbal topics in detail. Each topic is also covered with numerous examples and practice exercises.

2. How to Crack Test of Reasoning by Premkishan and Jaikishan

This book by Arihant Publications is quite popular among aspirants these days. The most special feature of this book is that each chapter starts at the very basic level and gradually moves to the advanced level. For this reason, this book is considered perfect for beginners. The concept clarity of this book is excellent. After reading it once, you can easily understand every topic. Like RS Aggarwal’s book, this book is also useful for building a strong foundation in reasoning.

For Advanced Learners:

1. Reasoning Guru 2.0 by Vikramjeet Sir

This reasoning book by Vikramjeet Sir, a renowned educator in reasoning, is designed with a classroom-like structure. It includes smart tricks and shortcuts for solving problems quickly. The most special feature of this book is that each chapter is explained with detailed explanations. Even if you have just started preparing, you can follow this book. The style of clarifying concepts is similar to coaching. The logic is easy to understand and remember. This book also includes 6500+ PYQs for practice.

2. Reasoning Book by Piyush Varshney

This book by Piyush Varshney is gaining popularity among aspirants every day. The biggest reason for this is its structure. Each chapter first introduces the topic with a detailed explanation, followed by examples with step by step solutions, followed by numerous PYQs for practice.

The presentation of this book’s content is so impressive that it is perfect for students from beginners to advanced levels. Even if you are self-studying, you won’t need to take coaching after reading this book.

👉 Which are the 5 best reasoning books? I have done a full analysis on this. You can read that post here.

How to Use These Books Effectively

● Start with the basics: If you’re a beginner, spend at least 2–3 months building your concepts with beginner-friendly books. Begin advanced practice only after you’ve mastered the basics.

● Solve PYQs: This is an important key to crack any competitive exam. Books like Kiran and Pinnacle cover previous years’ questions. Practicing from these books gives you exposure to real exam questions.

● Revise regularly: Exams test both your knowledge and speed. Therefore, revising the same books multiple times is the best strategy, compared to reading more books.

● Stay consistent: Select a good book for each subject and revise it thoroughly. Consistency is more important than volume. It’s better to complete your preparation with fewer books than to collect too many and then leave them in the lurch.

Quick Overview Table: Best Books for Any Competitive Exam

Final Thoughts

A single perfect book does not exist for all aspirants.

Which book is right for you depends on your current preparation level. If you are a beginner, you should choose books that explain concepts in simple language. If you are an advanced aspirant, you should focus on exam-style questions and previous years papers, such as those by Kiran, Rakesh Yadav, or Pinnacle.

Whether you are preparing for SSC, Banking, Railways, Defense, or State-level exams, you can start your preparation with the books listed above. This will greatly strengthen your preparation.

So first, identify your level- Beginner or Advanced. Then, choose the right books and start your preparation. With consistent practice, smart preparation, and the right books, cracking any competitive exam is absolutely possible.

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Nirmal Thakuria

Hi, I’m an exam aspirant who has successfully cleared SSC and other government exams, and I’m currently preparing for the UPSC.
I love writing and creating content for fellow aspirants. Through StudyBlink, I share study hacks, book reviews, and exam strategies to help you stay motivated and succeed in your journey.