The state's dance students begin their practical exams on Monday, starting exam season for year 12 students. Drama follows later this month and music students do their performances in September.

Dance requires students to present a core performance, a core composition (performed by another dancer), and a major study. Angel's exam will be on Friday. "I'm stressing, but I'll be okay," she said.

Twins Paul and Frank Barbara from Patrician Brothers in Fairfield are also practising their dance routines ahead of the exams, in which they will perform each other's work. Paul's focuses on emotional trauma, and Frank's is on introversion.

“It can be hard to physicalise your text but with my brother it’s easier to communicate,” Paul said. “If it were someone else, I couldn’t give as hard of a critique.”

The boys study dance at Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College in Burwood as part of the VIVA! program, which allows students from Sydney Catholic schools to enrol in HSC music, drama and dance if there's not enough demand at their school.