How do you take a Polygraph Exam?

[bulmer1]

I am almost at the end of the process for the USSSUD and have a poly exam coming up. Does anyone have any comments, suggestions that could aid me in successfully passing the exam. I am a little nervous, just because I have never had one administered before. Thanks for the help!

[mobrien316]

Nothing anyone can tell you will help you pass the polygraph. You should tell the truth and not omit any information, but that does not assure you will pass.

If for some reason the examiner tells you (or the agency to which you are applying) that you "failed" your polygraph, go apply elsewhere and tell the truth there, too.

BTW, it seems that polygraph examiners tend to assume that anyone researching the polygraph does so with the intent of using countermeasures to cheat. That doesn't mean their assumption is correct, but that is what they are likely to assume.

[manstown]

I am almost at the end of the process for the USSSUD and have a poly exam coming up. Does anyone have any comments, suggestions that could aid me in successfully passing the exam. I am a little nervous, just because I have never had one administered before. Thanks for the help!

Tell the truth.

[Up_On_Base]

The poly for the USSS is very long and not fun...tell the truth and pray.

[bulmer1]

Are the questions primarily about your background and what you have and have not done, i.e. have you ever smoked pot?, or are they different to see how you react to certain questions?
If you have an example that will be most helpful. Thanks for your responses!

[mobrien316]

Are the questions primarily about your background and what you have and have not done, i.e. have you ever smoked pot?, or are they different to see how you react to certain questions?
If you have an example that will be most helpful. Thanks for your responses!

You can download the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (which is now called the Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment) book: Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test Examiner's Guide
here (http://www.antipolygraph.org/documents/dodpi-lepet.pdf).

It should give you some familiarity with the process.

[grog18b]

The poly is not about what you did in the past. Everyone makes mistakes, as we are human. As far as "passing"... If you tell the truth, you should pass. The device measures your body's reaction to being deceptive. If you come across as being deceptive, you will fail.

[tua]

Speaking from experience, the USSS poly is the worst thing you will ever experience. You will feel horrible when you are there, horrible when you leave, and horrible up until you get the call from your BI. All you can do is be honest in all your interviews and the pre-interrogation interview with the polygrapher. Then when get hooked up to the machine, just continue to answer truthfully and hope for the best. Good luck!

[Up_On_Base]

Speaking from experience, the USSS poly is the worst thing you will ever experience. You will feel horrible when you are there, horrible when you leave, and horrible up until you get the call from your BI. All you can do is be honest in all your interviews and the pre-interrogation interview with the polygrapher. Then when get hooked up to the machine, just continue to answer truthfully and hope for the best. Good luck!

That is a good description of the USSS poly, mine was 8 hours (I passed).

I actually am thinking of applying to TSD and might have to do the whole thing over again...yuck! I am hoping because of previous UD experience I will not have to take again.