Some 119,000 students across the country are sitting their Leaving and Junior Certificate exams today.

They are starting with English Paper One, in the first of tests in more than 100 different subjects. Junior Cert students also have their second higher level English paper today, while some Leaving Cert students will be sitting the Home Economics, Scientific and Social paper this afternoon.

This year's State exams involve four million examination papers and just under 5,000 superintendents supervising the proceedings over the coming days.

One-third of this year's Leaving Cert candidates are preparing to sit higher level Maths. The exact number is up slightly on last year's figure.

However an estimated 2,000 are expected to change their minds on the day, and opt for ordinary level.

Pupils are being urged to stay calm, to have a proper breakfast and to get to the exam hall early.

Brian Mooney is education columnist with the Irish Times. He had this advice when speaking earlier to Newstalk Breakfast.

Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan is urging students to be confident in their own abilities.

Students are being encouraged to remain positive, as they sit the exams over the coming days and weeks.

Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick's Mental Health Services, says it is important to maintain perspective.

We asked these people in Dublin to describe their Leaving Cert in one word...