Inorganic Chemistry Preparation Strategy for JEE Main 2026

Inorganic Chemistry is usually divisive amongst JEE Main students – either you love it due to the simplicity or you hate it because there is so much to remember. While Physical Chemistry is purely problem-solving and Organic Chemistry requires conceptual understanding, Inorganic Chemistry for JEE Main 2026 is largely a test of memory, accuracy and smart preparation. However, if approached in the correct manner, this is the one area you can really attain guaranteed marks.

As told by many toppers, the foundation of JEE Main inorganic preparation has to be laid with NCERT and PYQs . But, the selection of the right chemistry book for JEE Mains and the right study pattern does have a significant part to play in scoring well. In this blog, we will provide you with a systematic study plan, chapter wise distribution and JEE Main preparation books recommendations to convert Inorganic chemistry from a lagging variable to a scoring region.

Importance of NCERT for Inorganic Chemistry

As far as Inorganic Chemistry is concerned for JEE Main 2026, NCERT is a must and cannot be overlooked. Almost all the top performers agree that the questions in this section are either directly taken from NCERT or are asked with very slight variations. If one memorizes the definitions, tables, exceptions etc. directly from NCERT, the advantage is instantaneous.

For instance, questions related to Periodic Trends, p-Block, Coordination Compounds, etc, are often copied word-for-word from the NCERT textbook. Even in the reputed chapter-wise books of previous year questions for JEE Main you will see the trend of NCERT-based pattern quite evidently. So before you take the plunge into any advanced chemistry book for JEE Mains, your first target should be to attain proficiency in NCERT line by line.

Some practical ways to achieve this: 

• Highlight all significant reactions, exceptions and tables in your NCERT.

• Make frequent revisions of them in short cycles.

• Immediately after you complete each chapter, test yourself with chemistry PYQ JEE Main books.

In short, consider NCERT to be your starting point. Other books on JEE Main are merely supplementary for going deeper and for more practice.

Read More: JEE Main Physics Preparation Tips: How to Score High

Chapter-Wise Weightage & Priority for JEE Main 2026 

The weight of chapters in Inorganic Chemistry is not uniform in JEE Main. Certain topics such as Chemical Bonding and Coordination Compounds are common every year while others appear with less frequency. To prepare smartly, focus on the chapters from which maximum questions can be contributed.

As seen in the table above, your Primary focus can be on Coordination Compounds, Periodic Trends and p-Block Elements as they are sure shot to get you almost 30 marks. Once those are strong, you can start with Chemical Bonding, which not only has its own weightage but also forms a base for the understanding of the other inorganic chapters. Next, the d/f-Block and s-Block Elements should be next, as they generally appear as stand-alone, factual questions. And only after they have been mastered should you spend time on lighter topics such as Hydrogen, Metallurgy, or Environmental Chemistry, which have a low effort-reward ratio.

Best Materials to Prepare for Inorganic Chemistry 

The ideal formula to excel in Inorganic Chemistry for JEE Main is NCERT + the correct practice. Among these, one of the best choices is Oswaal Books as they are exam-focused and are updated frequently with the latest trends in JEE. The following Oswaal books are a must-have to add to your preparation stack:

Oswaal JEE Main Chapterwise & Topicwise Solved Papers Chemistry

• Contains chapterwise book format of JEE Mains PYQs which are ideal for correlating NCERT chapters with previous years questions.

• Easy to identify repeat patterns and high-weight topics.

Oswaal JEE Main Previous Years’ Solved Papers (PYQs)

• Fully Solved Full Sets of Chemistry PYQ JEE Mains.

• Helpful for practicing with time to gain speed and exam temperament.

Oswaal JEE Main Mock Test Sample Papers (Latest Pattern)

• Mocks that are replicas of the actual JEE Main paper.

• Ideal for self-testing after you have revised and practiced on a chapterwise basis.

Oswaal JEE Main Revision Notes Chemistry

• Summary fact sheets, flow diagrams and tables for quick recall.

• Great for last minute reviews before a quiz or final.

The perfect cycle would be : NCERT Revision-Oswaal’s Chapterwise Solved Papers-PYQs - Mock Papers- Quick Notes for revision. This means you are never over-studying, just practicing.

Best Practices for Inorganic Chemistry Preparation 

Inorganic Chemistry should be studied differently than Organic or Physical Chemistry. Because the majority of questions rely on memory, emphasis should be placed on remembering, recognizing patterns and retrieving information quickly. Here are a few of the best practices of high scorers:

1. Active Recall Over Re-Reading 

Instead of passively going through notes, test yourself frequently. For example, cover the periodic table trends and try reproducing them without looking. This sharpens memory and reduces silly mistakes.

2. Use Visual Learning Techniques 

Inorganic Chemistry is filled with exceptions and properties. Converting these into tables, mind maps, and mnemonics makes them much easier to retain long term.

3. Spaced Revision 

One-time reading won’t help. Revise in cycles: first after 24 hours, then after a week, and again before your test. This scientifically strengthens retention.

4. Interlink Concepts 

Many chapters are connected, like how Chemical Bonding explains trends in p-block compounds. Linking these ideas ensures you remember logic, not just isolated facts.

5. Practice Under Time Limits 

Since Inorganic questions are quick to solve, set a timer when practicing. Aim to finish them faster than you would in the real exam, this builds a time buffer for tougher sections.

If you make a habit of doing these things, you will convert a heavily fact-based topic into one of your most powerful scoring weapons.

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Conclusion

While Inorganic Chemistry may seem like a memory marathon, if one has the right approach, it can actually emerge as one's most reliable scoring section in JEE Main 2026. Consistency and smart studying is the key – make NCERT your core study material, select only reliable and good quality study materials like JEE Mains PYQ chapterwise books and revision books, study religiously and stick to methods like active recall and spaced repetition.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to know everything about everything in order to achieve a good score, you only need to know well those chapters that are going to make the most difference and practice them as the exam requires. If you persevere, Inorganic Chemistry is not memorization, but rather pattern recognition, fast retrieval of information and confident application of knowledge.

Do it like this and what seems a hassle at the beginning becomes a source of sure marks that helps boost your overall percentage. In JEE, preparing smartly is always better than working hard.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best inorganic chemistry book for JEE Mains? 

While NCERT is the main book, Oswaal JEE Main Chapterwise & Topicwise Solved Papers Chemistry is a very good source for practice.

Q2. How important are previous years question papers of JEE Mains for Inorganic Chemistry? 

Very helpful- 99% of the questions are either repeated verbatim or with very similar patterns. By solving PYQs, one gets to know the specific NCERT lines which are asked frequently.

Q3. Do I need to cover every chapter equally in JEE Main Inorganic Chemistry?

No, concentrate on high weightage chapters first, like Coordination Compounds, p-Block, and Chemical Bonding. Install lighter chapters after the frame is strong.

Q4. Are JEE Mains PYQ chapterwise books sufficient for revision? 

Yes, a chapterwise JEE Mains PYQ book would be sufficient when used alongside NCERT