Bethlehem College student Josh Lues is busy cramming this morning in preparation for his first NCEA exam today.

The 17-year-old student is feeling 'pretty confident” about this afternoon's level two English exam, the first of the five exams he will face in the next three weeks.

Bethlehem College student Josh Lues studies for his first NCEA level two English exam. Photo: Cody Stevens.

NCEA exams start today with examinations in level one media studies and art history, level two English and scholarship exams in drama and English.

With the help of his father, Josh created a study plan using Google calendar and spends between three to four hours a day studying.

Going from Year 11 to Year 12, Josh says he has really seen a large increase in the workload.

'It depends largely on the subject, with non-exam subjects like woodwork the workload is pretty easy but with exam subjects like English, economics and maths we get a large amount of homework and assignments.”

Josh decided to focus on his school work at the start of the year, giving up his position in an after school rock band and reducing the number of hours he works at his part time job.

'I have had to make a couple of sacrifices, I have given up after school activities.

'It is pretty difficult to balance work and study, but I thought it would it would last longer than it has – this year has gone really fast.”

In addition to English, Josh is taking economics, maths, music and physics with his last exam on November 30.

When Josh finishes Year 13 in November 2012 he is considering moving to Australia to work, or going to Massey University to study a degree in mechatronics – a combination of mechanical engineering and electronics.

'It seems pretty good out there, I have talked to my brother who lives there and he says there are plenty of jobs.

'I have made sure I am taking the right subjects next year that will allow me to do a course in mechatronics.”

More than 143,000 students will sit NCEA exams, which continue until November 30.