FBI-SA-appl: You are correct. The FBI does offer a retest in certain cases. However, I don't know how those decisions are made. One FBI employee told me that receiving a second test following an unexplained failure was pretty standard if the applicant requests it. On the other hand, an FBI agent told me not to count on getting a re-test because only three percent of those who fail the test the first time go on to pass the second test. Seems to be a pre-determined number. Allowing more to pass would certainly bring unwanted scrutiny to the polygraph screening process. I received a second test, but was failed again, anyway. What you have to do to appeal the results of your test is write a letter saying that you disagree with the results and that you would like a re-test to clear your name. The letter should be addressed and sent to the name on the letter you receive stating that your conditional employment offer has been rescinded based on the results of your polygraph, which were "not within acceptable parameters." If your letter says anything else like you withheld information, then you would not qualify for a re-test. It takes about three months to be re-tested, but before that happens an agent will interview you. Be prepared for an in-depth discussion on your experience with drugs--whether you've used them before or just been around them--your ENTIRE DETAILED experience. The interview is stressful--you will be asked to remember the impossible--it's really quite ridiculous. The agency will use that information to decide whether to grant you a retest. About a month after that interview, you would be scheduled for a poly. I can tell you most assuredly that you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. With only a three percent chance of passing, the odds are stacked against you. If you do pass the second time, the examiner will accuse you of using countermeasures to pass the test--be prepared for this. I was actually directed to this site by a paranoid poly examiner. The poly community definitely sees it as a serious threat to its livelihood. I would go ahead and try for the re-test--maybe you'll get VERY lucky and fall in that three percent and have everything cleared up--but, I wouldn't count on it. If you fail the 2nd test like I did, at least your second appeal letter disputing both results will be placed in your permanent file. The FBI's hiring procedures don't allow for additional testing after the second failure--you are basically cut loose and told that no further avenues exist for you to seek employment with the FBI. Be sure to write a second letter disputing both tests. It's very important. An examiner admitted to me that 20% of applicants fail the polygraph. However, if they actually admit to that number, you better believe its markedly higher. It's more like 50%, so we are definitely not alone. An FBI employee told me that more people are failing the poly because of the high number of applicants undergoing the screening process. Logic alone would tell you that 20 to 50% of FBI applicants are not druggies and dope peddlers. There are serious problems with the testing process. I never would have agreed to be part of this bogus testing procedure if I'd known that it has no scientific validity and is so unreliable. If you haven't already, you should download and read "The Lie Behind the Lie Detector," available on this site. Don't expect quick action on your appeal. An agent told me that retests are put on the back burner, so that attention can be focused on those actually passing the tests. You may also receive conflicting stories regarding the seriousness of the failed poly result in your permanent file. An FBI employee told me that if it's not cleared up, it would follow me throughout my career in any federal serivce, while an examiner said it wasn't a big deal at all. Somebody's lying--the agency really should get its stories straight. In my opinion, it's things like this, which seriously undermine the FBI's credibility. Good luck to you in whatever you decide. Perhaps, you will have better luck than me. P.S. Be cautious about certain advice on this board, since polygraph examiners post frequently here. If you have any doubts regarding the shortcomings of polygraph screening (which I'm sure you don't, since you told the truth and failed,) check out the 2002 National Academy of Sciences report on government pre-employment polygraph screening. It's also posted on this site or can be found using any search engine.
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