Pretoria - Ahead of the Grade 12 final National Senior Certificate examination this morning, learners looked relaxed as they entered their school premises.
They are currently writing their first English Paper.
Learners, who spoke to BuaNews just few minutes before they entered their exam rooms, admitted that they were nervous but confident they would do well as they had come prepared.
"I'm very nervous and I struggled to sleep last night because these are my final exams, they can make or break you," said a Grade 12 learner from The Glen High School, Maneshree Naidoo.
Eighteen-year-old Maneshree said it was good to have a positive attitude when writing exams.
Simphiwe Jele from Pro Arte Alphen Park School looked relaxed as she chatted with her friend outside the school gate.
"For someone starting their final exams, I'm very relaxed... it's not as scary as I thought it will be," she said, adding that the reality of finally writing the exams had kept her awake all night and she had only managed to sleep at 3am.
"I want to surprise myself and get a distinction even in other subjects," said the 17-year-old.
Last week's practical exams seem to have helped calm Vuyo Mbokame's nerves. He is a learner at South African College Private School.
"I'm no longer nervous as I started the exams last week. I'm well prepared and slept around 11pm doing revision as I'm aiming high," he said.
Mbokame, 17, said he hoped to get achieve 70% in today's exam.
