I am working on getting my Top Secret Clearance for a programmer position from a contractor company for the Government.  I now have an interim top secret clearance and to get full TS clearance I need to pass a polygraph test. The test is scheduled for September 12th at the NSA.  What should I expect from this type of polygraph test?  This is how I decided I am going to aproach my test:

Going to be completely honest.  I am 19 years old but I have not done anything such as drugs in my life.  I will admit that I am a liar because everyone lies in childhood.  I will admit that i've cheated in school specially in my younger days.  I have stole a candy bar or two in my younger days.  All this I will admit.

Not going to do any breathing exercises.  I am going to go in without knowing what breathing pattern I should have to pass the test.  I will just late nature run its course.

Is this polygraph as bad as others or a bit easier specially since im younger?

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Yes, you are foolish if you think the polygraph can detect lies (or the truth). The only lie the polygraph can detect is if you are lying about just having had an orgasm during the test.

really *dont* have anything worth hiding, sorry typoed

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So you think every person who has been accused of lying about a relevant question during a polygraph examination and was disqualified really was lying?

I think if you stick with your stated strategy (which I'll admit is the same approach I unsuccessfully adopted), there is a nontrivial probability you'll learn the hard way that your reasoning is incorrect.

Even so, good luck to you.

I'm on this website because I was searching the word polygraph and NSA polygraph on google.com and found this website.  Look I just don't want to cheat on this test.  Does it make me a better man to cheat on this polygraph?  If I got caught, wouldn't I fail?  The reason I post is not to start a debate on polygraph tests but to see what feedback I can get from you guys.  I want to hear more of Guests point of view.  Do you think I should let go and let God or cheat the machine as im telling the truth with the way I breath (and let God help me a bit too ).  I read the book and understand everything about the control questions that will be asked and how to answer things.  I should refer back to my childhood and stuff.  I have read about people who have taking them but some reason  I don't quite feel moraly right to just trick the system.  I might do it I just want to know the following:

1.) Since im not going to be working directly with any agency but through a contractor will they go easier on me?  Will they even look at my breathing etc. as much or will they just size me up during the interviews?

2.) Is it easier to pass if your younger?

Sorry Anomynous I didn't answer your question.  Listen to your examiner and relax.  If you have any issues with a particular relevant question, let your examiner know before testing begins.  Otherwise do as your instructed.

Guest

Anonymous,

Be aware that polygraph examiners from various agencies follow the discussions on this message board. Assuming that you really are a 19-year-old programmer whose polygraph examination is scheduled for 12 September, you have in all likelihood posted enough information about yourself that the NSA polygraph unit will have identified you.

You have no reasonable expectation of anonymity anymore and have left yourself little choice but to adopt the "complete honesty" approach suggested in Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.

If you have read The Lie Behind the Lie Detector carefully, you know that the NSA primarily uses the relevent/irrelevant technique for screening purposes. This technique has no validity as a test of truth versus deception; it is merely a fishing expedition for damaging admissions. As we note in the 3rd edition of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, NSA applicants are frequently accused of deception and subjected to as many as three (or even more) polygraph examinations.

I don't know to what extent your age might be a factor in the outcome of your NSA polygraph examination(s), but note that recently, a high school student who had applied for a work-study program was accused of deception multiple times and scheduled for a fourth polygraph session, so youth is not necessarily an advantage.

Good luck on the 12th. It is to be hoped that the NSA polygraph unit will not fail you out of spite for having educated yourself about polygraphy.

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Gentle Reader,

No, Mr. Truth is by no means suggesting users of this site are less than honest. Sometimes we do not foresee the consequences of our actions:

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