Just finding out about exit exam during last semester of master's program

[soliloquy]

A few weeks ago my class was informed that in addition to our final thesis topic, we must also take an exam in order to graduate. The exam would cover all core classes we have taken from the beginning. Generally, I would have no problem with that but it irritates me that we are just now finding out about it.

We will be the first class responsible for taking the exit exam. Had I known about the exam previously I would not have rented some of the textbooks I've had in my core classes and I would not have traded in others. No study guide has been provided and no additional information has been given other than the fact that this is simply a combination of all the classes we have taken.

It has taken me only 18 months to finish this master's degree but I know other students who have been in this program for four years and they are now being asked to recall information from 4 years ago. I suppose if they do not remember some of this information they will have to repurchase textbooks in order to study for the exam.

Is this something that typically happens? I always thought that when you joined the program the requirement stayed the same throughout the program for the catalog year in which you were admitted.