The Associated Press

BOSTON — Investigators are looking into whether a group of Boston firefighters cheated during a civil service promotion exam in November.

Officials are trying to determine if the men took turns going to the men's room, tapping out answers on their cell phones and sending text messages back to their fellow firefighters in the classroom.

The state Human Resources Division confirmed that it received an anonymous complaint about cheating during a lieutenant exam. About 186 firefighters took the exam.

Officials say they consider the allegation serious enough to launch an investigation.

If they conclude that cheating did occur, they could be forced them to scrap the results of the entire exam.