# Polygraph Troubles **URL:** \ **Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\ **Created:** [September 4, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229 "2024-09-04T17:52:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rosewood0831](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Rosewood0831](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Rosewood0831)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/1 "2024-09-04T17:52:57Z")
I was told I failed my polygraph for the third time today for a three letter agency. I was told that I’m not passing the serious crime question. I actually got frustrated during the test and said I’ve been honest the entire time and don’t know what else she wants me to say. My polygrapher told me to tell the people at the front desk I needed to reschedule, but she said whether I got another polygraph wasn’t her decision. I am very confused. Is the third failed polygraph the end of the road? Or is there still a chance I’ll be called back? I am not sure if I should start looking elsewhere at this point. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I really need to start making some decisions here. ---
**Author:** ![terps40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@terps40](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/terps40)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/2 "2024-09-04T18:14:21Z")
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I finally passed on third attempt with a 3-letter. It’s very possible you could get called back, but you will have no idea until you get an email to schedule. Was this agency in MD? ---
**Author:** ![Vanilla\_Spice22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@Vanilla\_Spice22](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Vanilla_Spice22)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/3 "2024-09-04T20:26:06Z")
Attached is a link to some of my posts regarding the polygraph with a similar story to yours. > [@Failed my Polygraph, How bad is my situation?](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/failed-my-polygraph-how-bad-is-my-situation/18441/25): > > What do you mean you “failed.” Don’t believe anything the polygrapher tells you. They are liars who are paid to lie to your face for a living. If you really “failed,” you would have received official notification that your application is being discontinued and you would not have been invited back. The reason you have had three sessions is because you are being interrogated over certain areas the government finds concerning, such as lifestyle and counterintelligence. The government cannot cram a… > [@TS/SCI poly fail and advice on continuing](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/ts-sci-poly-fail-and-advice-on-continuing/18921/2): > > Someone else on this blog just asked a question very similar to this, so I will try to explain. First off, your polygraph experience is rather typical. Polygraphers accuse a lot of people of withholding information. They do this because they are trying to get you to confess to things that a background investigation would not be able to reveal. To answer your first question, if you have been told that you will be taking a second poly, that is a good sign. If they thought you were not suitable th… > [@Lied about drug use on my past sf86 now applying to a new job](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/lied-about-drug-use-on-my-past-sf86-now-applying-to-a-new-job/19067/15): > > Here is the funny thing about polygraphs. Your polygrapher lies during most of the session. They demand you tell the truth and punish you for telling the truth while they lie to you with impunity. Don’t be afraid of the polygraph. If you browse this blog, you will find some information about the polygraph that shows what the polygraph really is. The polygraph only catches people who self-snitch on themselves, just remember that. The fact that you have had three polygraphs already with the possibility of taking a fourth one proves that the government is still considering you for employment. If the government did not want to continue, you have received notification that your application is being discontinued. What is confusing is you being told that you need to reschedule your polygraph, but you may not get another session. I would reach out to your recruiter to get clarification because that is conflicting instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Rosewood0831](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Rosewood0831](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Rosewood0831)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/4 "2024-09-04T20:26:11Z")
Congrats. I’m glad you passed. Yes! ---
**Author:** ![terps40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@terps40](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/terps40)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/5 "2024-09-04T20:36:40Z")
Thank you! If you don’t hear back from anyone in about two weeks, email [app\_scheduling@uwe.nsa.gov](mailto:app_scheduling@uwe.nsa.gov) Just let them know that you are waiting to schedule. ---
**Author:** ![RandomMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@RandomMan](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/RandomMan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/6 "2024-09-04T21:18:42Z")
I cosign this. I had to do it a few weeks after my first poly, they basically forgot about me. They sent me an appt request right away. ---
**Author:** ![bebe1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bebe1979](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/bebe1979)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/7 "2024-09-04T23:15:21Z")
There is “not successful” and “successful”. If you went from the 1st to the 3rd poly on the “remediation” questions then it is unlikely you will get another opportunity. The Polygraph-er is not the one who decides if you will get another opportunity, it’s the adjudicator or the poly supervisor. Remember that the poly go thru a quality control where more than 1 person looks at it and they confer with the adjudicator. Failing the same section and the remediation questions is cause for concern for the polygraph er and adjudicator. If it were different sections and you were “close” to passing, then that is another story. ---
**Author:** ![Rosewood0831](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Rosewood0831](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Rosewood0831)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/8 "2024-09-05T15:36:25Z")
Thank you… to clarify I’ve only been able to clear one section on he polygraph because I get so nervous… I’m not sure if that makes any difference? My second person told me I’m just got doing well on any of the questions and it’s been frustrating… ---
**Author:** ![ObviousThrowaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dec6dc/32.png) [@ObviousThrowaway](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/ObviousThrowaway)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/9 "2024-09-05T19:41:34Z")
I know that they can make you nervous, but try to focus on some different relaxation techniques or something. I was nervous when I did a CI polygraph awhile back even though I knew nothing was wrong, it just gets to you. Just focus on the fact that even though they may be grilling you about certain sections, if you don’t have anything then you should be good. While stories about poly’s can be good hear, reading too much into it and going in “expecting” to fail because it is common can be a bad thing. I know many people in the IC that passed first time with no issues. Stay consistent and good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/polygraph-troubles/19229/10 "2024-09-18T23:04:22Z")
Just keep going back till they say “done” or denied, heres your statement of reasons