ANKARA

The US' top military service academy is facing its worst cheating scandal in decades stemming from remote studying caused by the novel coronavirus.

At the West Point military academy, 73 cadets training to be Army officers are accused of cheating on an online math exam in May while studying remotely.

"Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code," West Point spokesperson Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt said in a statement.

"West Point honor code and character development program remains strong despite remote learning and the challenges brought by the pandemic," he added.

After a thorough investigation, two cases were dropped for lack of evidence while four cadets resigned. Of the 67 remaining cases, 55 cadets admitted to cheating while enrolled in a six-month ethics rehabilitation program.

The scandal is the biggest in West Point’s history since 1976 when 153 cadets were found cheating on an electrical engineering test.

Notable alumni at the school in upstate New York include former US President and five-star Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, and US Army Gen. George S. Patton.