The Damascus College year 12 students are preparing for the 2016 VCE exams, which begin with an Indonesian oral exam next Tuesday for Janae and a drama assessment for Mitch on Friday.

While Janae admitted to being very nervous, she said recent trial exams had given her a good insight into what to expect over the assessment period.

“I need to write a lot faster,” she said.

Janae, who is studying Indonesian, psychology, PE, maths, english and religious education, has to wait until November 18 until she can celebrate, with the written Indonesian exam the last one on the entire schedule.

Mitch is studying drama, health and human development, PE, english and further maths and said he would have mixed emotions over the next few weeks.

“I’ll be sad, happy and scared at the same time,” he said.

Mitch also said the practice exams had proven invaluable.

“It’s a good experience to get you in the simulated environment.”

While Janae is planning a gap year, Mitch hopes to study drama at Federation University, having caught the acting bag from the school productions of The 39 Steps, The Final Hours and Grease.

Damascus College VCE coordinator Matt Hallowell said the practice exams helped the students get a taste of what the real tests would be like and identify gaps in their knowledge.

He said the school’s VCE teachers would now provide any needed revision.