Recommended Books — ISI B.Stat / B.Math
Carefully selected for proof-based reasoning, mathematical maturity, and the problem-solving style of ISI past papers.
Absolute Essentials
These four resources define the exam. TOMATO is ISI’s own problem collection and the closest approximation to what the paper will ask. Past year papers — ISI and CMI both — are the syllabus in practice.
- TOMATO — Test of Mathematics at 10+2 Level (ISI’s own problem book)
- Past Year ISI B.Stat Papers
- Past Year ISI B.Math Papers
- Past Year CMI Entrance Papers
Prerequisites
Ensure these are solid before moving to the problem-solving books.
- NCERT Mathematics
- Higher Algebra — Hall & Knight
- Plane Trigonometry — SL Loney
- Coordinate Geometry — SL Loney
Mathematical Thinking & Problem Solving
The core of ISI preparation. Build mathematical maturity and independent thinking.
- Problems in Elementary Mathematics — Yaglom & Yaglom
- Problem Book in Mathematics — Prelipko
- Mathematical Circles — Dmitri Fomin
- An Excursion in Mathematics — Modak, Shirali & Bapat
- Challenge & Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics — Venkatachala
- The Art and Craft of Problem Solving — Paul Zeitz
- PathFinder for Olympiad Mathematics
Algebra
- Advanced Problems in Algebra — Vikas Gupta (Yellow Book)
Calculus
- Calculus — Vinay Kumar (bridges problem-solving intuition with rigour)
- Problems in Calculus of One Variable — IA Maron
- Calculus Vol. 1 — Apostol
- Calculus — Michael Spivak
Combinatorics & Probability
Extremely important for B.Stat. Expect hard problems from both areas.
- Problem Solving Strategies — Arthur Engel (Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5)
- A Path to Combinatorics for Undergraduates — Titu Andreescu
- An Introduction to Probability Theory — Feller (Vol. 1)
Inequalities
- Algebraic Inequalities — Zdravko Cvetkovski
- Classical Inequalities — Jiri Herman
ISI rewards mathematical thinking, not syllabus coverage. TOMATO and past papers should run alongside everything else — not saved for the end.