A former Arkansas state officer is accused of changing bar exam scores after investigators noticed multiple errors. According to 5 News Online, former Arkansas Office of Professional Programs (OPP) Director Nancie Givens was arrested on 65 counts of tampering with evidence.
The Arkansas Supreme Court said in a statement that Givens’ charges are in connection with allegations of altering multiple Arkansas Bar Examination scores and deleting files “purposely intended to conceal that misconduct.” The court added that approximately 11,400 files were deleted, including Arkansas Bar exam applications, profiles, and exam score sheets, which are legally required to remain in its system for 25 years.
Investigation Uncovers Five Years of Score Changes
The investigation, conducted by Robert Brech, Executive Director of the Supreme Court of Arkansas’s Office of Professional Conduct and Programs, found multiple test score inconsistencies from eight bar exam sessions from July 2020 to July 2025. “Evidence exists that Givens harvested points from a number of examinees’ scores and then added them to other examinees’ scores within the same test administration.”
Scores Allegedly Pushed Above and Below Passing
Givens allegedly increased examinees’ scores to the passing grade of 270 or above. In another alleged instance, she lowered an examinee’s score below the passing score. In another case, an examinee’s score was lowered, which prevented them from receiving the highest score.
The investigation is ongoing.