"I'm hoping for a merit [endorsement] for my maths exam so I'm not too worried but I'm feeling a little bit nervous about the English exam because some questions can be a little bit tricky.
"You can be the best writer in the world but if you don't read the questions very carefully and fully understand what you are being asked to do, you can get it so wrong."
Sam said he had been studying the old-fashioned way - reading over his notes, writing them over again, as well as testing himself on the likely question with mock exams.
"I've been studying pretty much every day for at least an hour straight after school using this method and it seems to be the best way of getting into my brain and retaining the information."
Sam said he also listened to acoustic music which helped relax him, and he took regular breaks with his mates and tried not to over-think what was ahead of him.
He had two siblings at the same college but he was the first child in his family to be doing NCEA exams so he did feel some pressure to excel.
"Hopefully I will do well so it keeps my options open when it comes to my future plans."
Bay Principals are urging students not to leave their swotting until the final minutes.
Mount Maunganui College principal Russell Gordon said 704 of his students would be sitting NCEA exams this year with the first exam being level one maths on Monday.
Mr Gordon said the school had helped students prepare for their exams using a study timetable he prepared for his son who is doing his Year 11 level one exams at Otumoetai College.
"NCEA exams are brand new for my son and all Year 11 students and if they have a pretty comprehensive study timetable to work from it helps prepare them for what it is ahead."
Mr Gordon said the school had also provided a dedicated quiet area for students to study, with teaching staff making themselves available before and after classes.
"The premise of an exam is like a marathon. You can't expect to turn up without having prepared for it," he said.
Katikati College principal Neil Harray said 340 students would sit NCEA exams, and the groundwork for the exams had been going on throughout the school year.
Top study tips for students
* Study in a quiet, organised and well-lit space
* Set regular study routines
* Balance study with free time - taking regular breaks
* Eat well, get fresh air, get plenty of sleep
* Know the exam timetable - don't be late
* Know what you need to achieve for each standard.
* Practice - Resources papers from all subjects are available on the NZQA website
- NZ Qualification Authority
