After months of studying and stressing, Year 12 students begin their HSC exams today.

18 days of testing kicks off at 9.50am, with more than 78,000 people sitting down for the compulsory English paper.

A total of 123 exams will be held in the coming weeks, finishing with Textiles and Design on November 11.

At the end of it, all students will receive their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), used to get into university courses.

Students are being reminded to look after their mental health and speak up if they need help managing their stress levels.

The cohort is being reminded the HSC is not the be-all and end-all and to look after their mental health during this period.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says parents need to keep an eye on their kids as well.

“It can be a stressful time so they need to make sure they eat healthy food, get a bit of exercise and still take a bit of time to do the hobbies that they like.”