Captains Azmina Shafie and Jayden Rae and vice captain Cheymeka Randell are among 66,758 students who will sit one of four different English papers from 9.50am.

"Even though it's nerve racking going into a test we've never experienced before, the preparation we've done over the past year including our trials has eased the nerves a bit," Cheymeka, 17, said.

Their cohort is the first to sit the newly-structured Paper 1 on the new common module, Texts and Human Experiences.

They have to complete two sections - short answer questions on unseen texts and an extended response on prescribed texts - in 90 minutes.

Cheymeka said the absence of past papers on the module had been "a blessing and curse" and her class had made their own practice exams by rewording questions from previous papers and books.

She said students were expected to apply what they had learned, rather than remember and regurgitate it.

"Everybody is trying out the new HSC and we're all in the same boat - some may take it easier than others, but we're all experiencing the same thing," Azmina, 18, said.

"I'm trying to stay calm because when you're nervous you don't perform as well."

Jayden, 18, said human experiences was an easy topic to relate to and he was trying to stay "chill".

"I want good marks but I don't want to stress myself out," he said. "My mum says I'm too calm, but I think I'm going alright!"

Cheymeka said she would meditate, revisit what she knew and "hone in" on parts of the syllabus she was still struggling with the night before.

Jayden said he would be "100 per cent cramming, reading up until the minute they say 'come in' ", while Azmina said she would have a good sleep, healthy breakfast and avoid reading notes the morning of the exam.

The trio said they each had different study techniques and ways of managing their time and felt it was important not to compare themselves to others.

They all said they would try their best and were aiming for university, but would keep the HSC in perspective and continue to make time for socialising, exercising and hobbies.

"The only person's approval that matters is your own," Cheymeka said.

"Success is very individual to each person and the HSC is only one way to get to where you want to go, but not the be-all-and-end -all.

"Even graduating and completing the HSC is a big feat. You've overcome a challenge. You've shown up and done it."

Principal Anthony Angel said he liked to remind his 86 year 12 students of the Dr Seuss saying,' You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose'.

"You've put in the hard work, now have confidence and faith in yourself to step forward and don't let stress get in the road."

Students will sit English Paper 2 on Friday.

According to NESA figures, 8379 Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast students are enrolled in one or more HSC courses this year.