More like years. 1st, 2nd, 3rd years of the respective tier. But what matters mostly are the tiers. And that you starting counting from anew, never progressively. First 5 years are elementary school. Then 3 years middle school. Then 5 years high school, which are in some cases subdivided into 2 years gymnasium, and three years lyceum.
At the of middle school and high school, there is a national exam. So, in your case, at 8th and 13th grade respectively. But honestly, the matter little these days as they were far from what the were in the past. And my study course required no entrance exam, so ...
Anyway, do not worry. The matter little in the grand scheme of things. Only if you want to become a medical practitioner, then, yes, maybe for the entry exam. But otherwise ...
Who exactly are you talking about-nya? Some peeps from where you live?
But yes, indeed, HSC is stressful but entrance exams? They are hell not due to the study pressure but the stress you feel from the people around you. I'm already scared.
From where I live. The ting was, we had essentially your kind of HSC exam, but people wanting to go medics had to get past the medical entry exam afterwards as well, and that in the span of like 1 or 2 months.