Nine high schools in Queensland have been caught in a significant exam error, as students prepared for their year 12 ancient history exam. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) confirmed that these schools taught the wrong topic, focusing on Augustus Caesar instead of Julius Caesar. This revelation came just a day before the exam, leaving students scrambling to adjust their study plans.

Ella Crabb, a student at Brisbane State High School, received an alarming email from her parents that echoed an urgent alert from her school. "Stay calm, don't panic," it read, but Crabb felt anything but calm. She expressed frustration over the months of preparation that now seemed irrelevant for an exam that accounts for 25% of her final mark. "For the school to just say, we're sincerely sorry, it just felt so crazy, and I was angry," she said.

The situation escalated quickly as schools rushed to provide last-minute study sessions and information packs. Ava Georgas, another student from Brisbane State High School, described her reaction: "I was just thinking, oh god, I've got to get out of [another] exam and just start cramming."

As the QCAA began contacting all 172 schools that offer the ancient history subject, it became clear that nine schools had made the same mistake. The QCAA stated that schools had been warned about the curriculum change over a year ago, with three memos sent out between August 2023 and early 2024. However, the number of schools involved raised questions about the effectiveness of these communications.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has ordered a review of the QCAA's communication processes regarding exam topics. He assured students that their marks would not be negatively impacted by this error. This incident is not the first communication issue the QCAA has faced. In 2020, during the first year of external exams, a late correction to a math exam question was communicated too late for some schools, prompting an apology from the QCAA.

As students prepared to enter the exam hall, many felt unprepared for questions on a topic they had not studied. The QCAA did not hold a press conference or provide interviews to address the situation. Reports indicated that Rochedale State High had recognized the error at least two months prior but did not trigger a broader investigation.

Parents and students expressed their frustrations. One parent had raised concerns with the education department in August, but no further action was taken. Ava Georgas noted, "They couldn't change the exam, they couldn't move the dates back … I personally see that as a bit of an issue. I think they prioritize rules over just basic common sense."

Students like Jamie Learmonth lamented the wasted effort, stating, "I spent months studying Augustus for nothing." Meanwhile, Ella Sinclair from Yeronga State High School credited her teacher for helping her navigate the confusion. "I feel like if our teacher hadn't prepared us as much as he did going into the exam about what it was about … we all would have been pretty confused," she said.

As the exam day approached, students were left to deal with the consequences of the curriculum oversight, a situation that has left many feeling anxious and unprepared for their futures.