Polygraph tomorrow...

[fairrpe86]

Like everybody has said they go over each question with you before hand so you already know what they will be asking you, and the answer. They do each set of questions twice to establish consistency. If you move too much or they feel like you are trying to mess with the results, they will make that set invalid and make you repeat the entire set of questions. Do not try to control your breathing or anything like that as they are able to tell when you are doing such things. Be honest, and as long as you don't have an unfavorable answer to any of their questions you will be fine.

[T-Giv]

I've only taken one and I was beyond nervous for it, but I did fine. I don't really have any type of past to speak of so I was fortunate in that aspect. The polygraph evaluator initially thought I was lying and trying to hide stuff but after running through the questions while hooked up he said he was confident I was telling the truth. Hired!

[asmo]

I like the "have fun" comment. The polygraph is many things, but fun is not one of them.

When you have done enough of them - they become a bit fun. Not that I ever look forward to mine every couple of years, but I no longer sweat them.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Big things:
1. Minimize your caffeine intake prior to the test.
2. Don't eat a big meal before the test.
3. Get a good night's sleep
4. Do things that improve your mood and state of mind the night before, whether it's watching a favorite (innocent) movie -- I'd stay away from spy thrillers and mysteries
5. Don't look at the polygrapher as an enemy -- s/he has likely heard all kinds of garbage so isn't going to get excited when you admit to taking pens or paper from work or post-dating a check or performance review

[Gcompact30]

Thats a good one

I've taken that test...the answers are:

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes
5. No
6. Yes
7a. Yes
7b. No
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. No
11. No
12. No
13. Can you repeat the question?
13. No
14. Yes
15. No


The answers just repeat after that. I wrote them on my hand and refrenced them when ever I needed to. I guess it was open book ??

[Gcompact30]

I know you passed right????

Doing the whole background, physical, polygraph thing for a job position in a vault tomorrow.

Anyone have any tips for the polygraph? I don't have anything to hide, but I've never done anything like this before.

[buckeye4rnr]

I know you're not trying to cheat it so just read the bolded words.

http://sofrep.com/9806/are-fmri-mach...detector-test/

Everyone knows about the polygraph. Funny enough, it was invented by William Moulton Marston who was also the mind that came up with the DC Comics character Wonder Woman. Now you know why she carries her “lasso of truth”! But familiarity with the polygraph also means that plenty of people know how to defeat or otherwise spoof the system. You can squeeze your butt cheeks together creating tension in the body that will throw off the readings. A tack can be placed in the shoe and pressed down on during questioning. In theory, the polygraph examiner can ask you to remove your shoes and sit on a pad that will detect your deception techniques but it’s too easy to just bite your tongue…literally.


You can also spoof the system by being brutally honest when the tester asks his control questions. You see, he has to catch you in a lie so that he can establish what you baseline reading looks like and then differentiate between when you tell the truth and when you tell a lie. If you answer all the control questions correctly, the tester will get frustrated and keep trying to trip you up and ask questions that are embarrassing enough that you are compelled to lie.


Can you imagine sitting there rigged up to a polygraph getting two hours of control questions thrown at you while the tester tries to catch you in a lie?


“Have you ever had sexual relations with a man, a woman, another man, a rodeo clown, and a farm animal at the same time?”


“…yes.”

[mevshooter]

I honestly have no idea how I did. At one point she said "you're brainstorming on the theft questions, is there something you need to tell me?" and I was honestly just tired and trying to stay awake. I was really trying to make sure there wasn't anything in my past that I forgot about.

I was so nervous for it, that my blood pressure sky rocketed and I failed the physical exam. So my wife took my blood pressure when I got home, AFTER everything has calmed down, and its fantastic.

What. The. Hell.

I effing hate doctors offices.

I want to meet the genius who thought scheduling a physical right after a polygraph was a good idea.

[flan7211]

Sorry to hear that champ. Doctors suck and polygraphers suck worse.

[tonantius]

I thought polygraph tests for emplyment were illegal in Colorado.