# Will admitting to knowing a lot about the polygraph tick off your examiner? **URL:** \ **Category:** SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A\ **Created:** [May 26, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656 "2024-05-26T20:19:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PotentialGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PotentialGuy](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/PotentialGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/1 "2024-05-26T20:19:52Z")
Hey all, Applying for a job in DoD that will require a CI poly. I went through a FS poly for my internship in the IC, so I’m not concerned especially about just a CI, I know how it works. Here is the thing though, since my experience with my first poly I have read a lot about them, just out of curiosity. I was quite ignorant about them when I first took one. I have formed an opinion about their efficacy, and their validity, frankly. I know if I take even a CI poly it is likely to come up in pre-exam if I have read about them. What happens if someone is very transparent about their deeper knowledge about them and the whole process. Would that be likely to make your examiner adversarial if they have the impression that you don’t really believe the box knows if you’re lying or not? ---
**Author:** ![everyafter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@everyafter](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/everyafter)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/2 "2024-05-26T23:19:19Z")
Worse, you could get marked as attempting countermeasures. Happened to my ex husband. Don’t recommend. ---
**Author:** ![sbusquirrel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/sbusquirrel/32/34_2.png) [@sbusquirrel](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/sbusquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/3 "2024-05-27T01:44:01Z")
I don’t mean to make light of the matter, but the polygraph examination is as much theater and game-playing as anything else. Play your role. Play the game. And keep in mind that it is their game and they get to make up the rules. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 6:46am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/4 "2024-05-27T06:46:58Z")
> [@PotentialGuy](#): > > What happens if someone is very transparent about their deeper knowledge about them and the whole process. Would that be likely to make your examiner adversarial if they have the impression that you don’t really believe the box knows if you’re lying or not? If you disclose your deeper knowledge of polygraphy, you will not be rewarded for your honesty. Rather, you will be painting a target on your back. Based on feedback I’ve received, you can expect: 1. To be questioned about what you’ve read about polygraphy; 2. To be asked what specific websites you’ve read. Notes will be taken; 3. To be told that you can’t believe everything you read online, and so forth; 4. To be arbitrarily accused of having used polygraph countermeasures. The polygraph community does not abide unbelievers. ---
**Author:** ![clearedrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@clearedrob](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/clearedrob)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/5 "2024-05-27T17:39:13Z")
Give it a try and see what happens. Let us know how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![RandomMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@RandomMan](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/RandomMan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/6 "2024-05-27T19:53:58Z")
Im not gonna advocate lying, but you will probably not be asked this while hooked up to the the voodoo machine. There is a smart way to handle that scenario and a dumb way. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/7 "2024-05-28T04:16:13Z")
You are correct that one will probably (almost certainly) **not** be asked this while hooked up to the polygraph. However, polygraph operators typically ask subjects what they know about polygraphy during the “pre-test” phase. ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/8 "2024-06-09T20:52:00Z")
Honestly, its almost impossible to not have at least casual exposure to polygraph counter measure info: forensic files, ID, etc. Would I recommend buying a book. Thinking about contents on a poly? No. But you cant unring the bell. So I tell folks do not actively seek info on beating it if subject to one. Why? Because failing isnt really happening for major cause like lying about an arrest, readily provable. The bigger fear is “unresolved.” We cant prove bupkis, but we are notcomfy clearing. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/9 "2024-06-10T12:33:00Z")
Speaking of buying books, I recall that when the federal government went after the late polygraph critic [Doug Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Williams_(polygraph_critic)), who offered in-person instruction on polygraph countermeasures and published a manual titled [“How to Sting the Polygraph,”](https://www.amazon.com/How-Sting-Polygraph-Doug-Williams/dp/1734751509) they put together [a watchlist list of nearly 5,000 customers](https://antipolygraph.org/blog/2013/11/14/u-s-government-circulates-watch-list-of-buyers-of-information-on-how-to-pass-a-polygraph-test/). Those on the list who were in government service were questioned and some lost their jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 1:11pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/10 "2024-06-10T13:11:33Z")
I do not doubt that. Glad I no longer live in that world. Excruciatingly emotional pressure. Diagnosed with severe anxiety now. Some say be honest, if no dings nothing to care about. I met a few fringe personalities not giving a darn. If you have a conscious…or are an empath of any sort…having your integrity questioned for 5 hours…browbeat…and its for all the marbles. Dont get through it? Cant pay mortgage, no more career, cancel Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![AntiPolygraph.org](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/antipolygraph.org/32/233_2.png) [@AntiPolygraph.org](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/AntiPolygraph.org)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/11 "2024-06-10T14:47:01Z")
An acquaintance who worked as a DIA analyst with SOCOM lost his career over unsubstantiated polygraph chart readings and was diagnosed with PTSD. He was subjected to multiple polygraph interrogations and, relevant to the original poster’s inquiry, admitted having researched polygraphy, which was held against him. For any who might be interested, he has discussed his experience here: [https://antipolygraph.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1487351318](https://antipolygraph.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1487351318) ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/12 "2024-06-10T15:53:14Z")
Exactly why I won’t and advise others not too. They really don’t need a reason to say no. Just “Im not feeling you.” Had one get 5 Polys, lasted 3 plus years as they were already cleared secretwith same agency. Finally they relented. And these were not for highly skilled positions. ---
**Author:** ![HR2C](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/hr2c/32/1719_2.png) [@HR2C](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/HR2C)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/13 "2024-06-13T23:19:12Z")
Just tell them everything you know you learn from The Maury Show and you are NOT the father! Lol ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 1:54pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/14 "2024-07-01T13:54:23Z")
Not a tactic I’d recommend. Unless you caveat with “learned it on tv” ---
**Author:** ![HR2C](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/hr2c/32/1719_2.png) [@HR2C](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/HR2C)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/15 "2024-07-01T20:16:17Z")
It was definitely a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Amberbunny2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Amberbunny2](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/Amberbunny2)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/16 "2024-07-01T22:28:15Z")
Polygraphers known for no humor. ---
**Author:** ![HR2C](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/hr2c/32/1719_2.png) [@HR2C](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/HR2C)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/17 "2024-07-02T03:49:53Z")
I am surprised I am having to explain this, but I don’t think the poster should actually say that to the polygrapher. It was a joke, HERE, not meant to actually be said. I was just lightening the conversation a little, but I guess the joke was missed. ---
**Author:** ![rocket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rocket](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/rocket)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/18 "2024-07-02T18:35:20Z")
Not advisable, even though that’s exactly what I did 🤦‍♂️ I straight up said that I was ready for the mind games to begin 😅 I was lucky that the polygrapher had been around the block for quite some time, and was the non-bull\* kinda guy… ---
**Author:** ![clearedrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@clearedrob](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/u/clearedrob)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://discuss.clearancejobsblog.com/t/will-admitting-to-knowing-a-lot-about-the-polygraph-tick-off-your-examiner/18656/19 "2024-07-03T01:30:24Z")
Yep. I got the crickets when I said “Give it a try and see what happens. Let us know how it turns out.” I thought that was funny but… tough room I guess.