A programming error allowed some FBI agents to cheat on a mandatory bureauwide exam, finds the Justice Department inspector general.

In a report publically released Sept. 27, the inspector general investigated widespread allegations of cheating on an exam meant to test agents' knowledge of new a domestic investigations and operations guide instituted as the FBI has transitioned from purely a law enforcement agency to a domestic intelligence agency.

Auditors found many cases of cheating. One FBI agent who works on a cyber crime squad, found that the FBI's testing software placed an XML file containing all correct answers in employee's temporary Internet files folder.

The agent then created a tool allowing employees direct access to the XML file. While anyone searching for the file could have found it without assistance, the tool made it easier to find the answers, the agent told auditors.

After that, the agent emailed the tool to another cyber agent, albeit with the disclaimer that "This is only a learning tool, not to be used for official test-taking purposes."

However, at least three agents ended up using the tool while taking the test.

Electronic cheating appears to be the exception in the wave of cheating uncovered by the inspector general. Most agents who cheated appear to have used printed answer sheets. Auditors say that 200 FBI employees completed the test in 20 minutes or less, a likely indicator that cheating occurred since an honest test taker would require approximately 90 minutes or more to finish the test, the report states. The inspector general recommends that the FBI consider creating a new mandatory domestic investigations and operations guide test.

"While this may be burdensome for some FBI employees, it will also have the benefit of reinforcing the concepts of the DIOG on a regular basis," the report concludes. The report does not include any response from the FBI to the findings or recommendations.

For more:
- download the OIG report, "Investigation of Allegations of Cheating on the FBI's Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide (DIOG) Exam" (.pdf)

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