Ordinary and Advanced Level students have expressed confidence ahead of national exams that get underway across the country today.Several students who spoke to The New Times on Monday expressed their readiness and optimism, saying they are ready to pass."We completed the syllabi and have done a lot of exercises and tests that helped sharpen our brains [for the national exams],” said Claudine Ujiwabo, a Senior Six History, Economic and Geography (HEG) student at Ecole Secondaire Sumba in Nyamagabe District."We are not afraid but rather extremely optimistic.”Jean Claude Nizeyimana, another candidate, said teachers tipped them on how to properly manage their time during their exams."They [teachers] gave us a lot of quizzes and tests which format matched that of the national exams. That helped us a lot, especially when it comes to managing well the time allocated to each exam and be able to answer all questions,” Nizeyimana said."I believe that will help us a lot in the [national] exams. We are confident to perform well.”At several schools visited by The New Times, students said they have been meeting regularly in small groups for discussion and sometimes with teachers ever since they completed their syllabi a couple of weeks ago.They also said they used their time to read books to deepen their understanding of various subjects.They allocated more time to revision and acquiring new techniques of answering questions and avert fear that might affect their performance.Joie Umuhire, a Senior Three student at Groupe Scolaire Kibyagira, said she believes her efforts will pay off."I feel I am well prepared and am confident and optimistic that I will excel,” she said."I believe I will get enough marks to pass to the next level.”Teachers also said they had done their best to prepare students ahead of the exams.Available figures indicate that at least 96,376 candidates are expected to sit the O-Level exams, while 31,053 candidates have registered for A-Level exams.