I recently had my polygraph exam with the LAPD and do not think it fared well.

The exam started with a pre-test interview where I was told what questions would be asked and given an opportunity to disclose information that would effect the test. The test itself was a series of about 12 questions asked three times.

By the end of the exam, I was told that I had "failed" two questions. I was a little confused since the examiner did not say that I failed the test, but that I failed two questions. The two questions were about domestic abuse and "acting out based on personal biases." Now I know in my own mind that I have never acted out on either of these issues and was telling the entire truth. The examiner came in after the test and said that she really believed I was a good candidate and wanted to make this work for me, but in order to do so, she would need full disclosure. She asked if there was any reason I could think of why I would react to those questions. I reiterated that I have never struck, pushed, pulled, thrown or otherwise aggressively touched a significant other. The only thing I could think of was that I may have felt some guilt about arguments that escalated to the point of slamming some doors or throwing a book or set of keys against the wall. But that was a far cry from actually hitting someone. As for the racial question, I could only say that perhaps I felt self-conscious about how other people may judge my own race as a whole based on my actions. I certainly have never been guilty of bearing ill will against someone solely because of their race, religion or anything else.

At this point, I am fairly certain I failed, mostly based on the fact that I apparently "failed" those two questions. I'm still not sure what that means...if I fail those questions did I fail the test? If so, then tell me I failed!! In either case, I feel the process was entirely bogus.

I am curious if anyone else has had a similar experience and still managed to pass the exam? If not, what recourse do I have? Is there an appeals process or do I basically have to wait a year to retake the exam