The students began the 18-day schedule with either English Studies, English Standard, English Advanced or English as an Additional Language or Dialect.

Cowra High School Vice-Captain, Noah Ryan, said he was glad the first exam was over.

"I thought it was going to be a lot worse," he said.

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"I'm not a fan of study, I think like a lot of people, but in the holidays I tried to get a fair bit done and focus on English towards the end.

"I've only got five (exams) left and I can't wait till they are all done, it's calmed me down now I've done the first one," he said.

Noah's sentiments were echoed by St Raphael's Captains Hayley Amos and Matthew Terry.

"I'm very excited to have first exam over, it was different to what I expected," Matthew said.

"It was different to our trials I found I was more relaxed. Having already done the trial we knew what to expect with the setup."

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"It's been really good all the teachers have tried so hard to make it a positive experience, they've been so supportive of us, you know they are in your corner," Hayley said.

"It comes down to how much pressure you put on yourself. At the end of the day, it's not going to define who you are and you can still achieve what you want to do if you don't get the marks you hope for.

"Good luck to everyone, stay positive and try not to stress," she said.

Both Cowra High School Deputy Principal Megan Robinson and St Raphael's Principal Michael Gallagher wished the students well.

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"Congratulations on completing your six years and for your achievements so far," Mrs Robinson said.

"Make the most of your exam time, you only get one go at each exam. Show the examiners what you have learnt and studied."

"I'm really proud of the way they have prepared themselves and the way they have connected with their teachers and built up a good partnership," Mr Gallagher said.

"This is a collaborative process with those partnerships, the expertise of their teachers and the commitment of the students, I have every confidence they are going to be very successful."

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