The exams are the final hurdle of a curriculum which takes two years to complete.

On Monday, students kicked off with the compulsory English subject which includes two different tests.

Themed around "belonging to communities", students were required to study prescribed texts and cite companion texts - whether it be a play or poetry.

Trying to juggle work and study commitments meant Rochelle Whytcross was a little concerned going into the first English test on Monday.

"It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be ... but the second test is going to be harder," she said.

Miss Whytcross said she focused on the essays and creative writing elements first as they offered the largest component of marks before attacking the shorter questions.

Student Michael Ball has a long week with four exams, with hospitality and ancient history in addition to English.

"It's a tough week, but we've had a bit of time to prepare," he said.

"There's six terms of year 12, so we are so geared up for it.

"You never imagine the day coming, you're labouring away day after day and it's now here and in your face."

More than 34,000 students will sit HSC exams, with 116 tests, which conclude on November 5.