The dreaded polygraph test, also known as the "truth" test, is often seen as a source of anxiety and fear, even by perfectly innocent people who should be able to pass it without the need to cheat or tamper with the results. If you need advice on how to pass the polygraph one way or another, you've come to the right place.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Part 1 of 4: Before the polygraph
Step 1. Understand how a polygraph works
A polygraph does not discover a lie by itself, but it can track physiological changes in your body, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and perspiration, thus identifying the physiological conditions that occur when you lie.
When you show up, the materials and protocol are reviewed. It doesn't hurt to independently familiarize yourself with the basics, but avoid the dramatic polygraph tales you find on the internet, as they will only make you more nervous than necessary
Step 2. Try not to think too much about the test before doing it
If you spend too much time worrying about the polygraph before taking the test, you run the risk of falsifying the test to your disadvantage by finding things to accuse yourself of unfairly.
- To avoid worrying unnecessarily, don't ask someone who took the test before you what it was like, don't waste time on conscience exams before the test, and don't try to predict what questions they will ask you.
- Try to avoid spending too much time visiting anti-polygraph websites, as these sites often mix reality with exaggerated conspiracy theories and can cause you unnecessary panic.
Step 3. Take care of your body the night and the day before
You need to be comfortable with the test to provide accurate physiological responses. To get comfortable, you need to make sure you are well rested and feel as relaxed as possible.
- Follow your normal daily routine as much as possible. If your routine also included activities that affect your heart rate, like drinking coffee or going for a morning run, you should still stick with it as your body is used to those physiological conditions.
- Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep the night before the test.
- Make sure you are not hungry and that you are wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
Step 4. Complete any forms given to you
Depending on the reason for testing, you may need to provide security clearance or other forms that require your approval. Take your time with these modules. Read them very carefully and only sign when you are ready.
Step 5. Explain to the examiner whatever illness you have or what medicine you are taking
If you are currently ill, the examiner may make a new appointment for you. Some medications, such as blood pressure medications, can also affect results, so you should let the examiner know about this as well.
- The disease can make you feel uncomfortable, and thus change the outcome.
- If you take prescription medicines, you should continue taking them as prescribed by your doctor before the test.
- Contrary to popular belief, most anti-depressants are unable to alter a polygraph by allowing you to "beat" it. You should still tell your examiner about these medications, just in case, as they can lead to abnormal outcomes.
Step 6. Check the questions again and take your time to understand them
The polygraph examiner is required to tell you the questions in advance. Take your time, and feel free to ask the examiner for guidance in case of uncertainty or unclear questions.
You must have clear questions before the test. In many cases, you will not be allowed to ask questions during the test. In fact, your answers will be limited to "yes" and "no" during the polygraph, so any discussion you need about the questions must take place before the test itself
Step 7. Find out which protocol will be used
The standard polygraph test is the CQT, or "Demand Control Test". In some cases, however, the "Direct Lie Test" (DLT) or the "Guilt Awareness Test" (GKT) may be used.
- With the CQT polygraph, control questions will be mixed with relevant ones. A control question is a question that virtually anyone will answer "yes", although many will be tempted to answer "no". Similar questions include, for example, "Have you ever lied to your parents" or "Have you ever stolen or borrowed anything without permission."
- With DLT, you will be asked various questions by the examiner and you will be directly asked to lie in all of them. By doing so, the examiner can fine-tune your physiological responses to the lie to review questions they knew you would lie about.
- In a GKT, you will be asked multiple choice questions about various facts known only to you and the examiner. Many of these questions will be about the case in question. Your verbal responses will be compared to physiological ones.
Method 2 of 4: Part 2 of 4: Take and pass the polygraph test regularly
Step 1. Feel nervous
Today, no one is expected to have complete peace of mind during a truth test, even if the person in question is perfectly innocent and has nothing to hide. By allowing yourself to be nervous, you can provide the examiner with an accurate representation of your physiological stats both when you are honest and when you lie.
- The lines on the polygraph screen will never be flat and smooth, even when you are telling the truth.
- Oddly enough, only the nervous person about all the answers will appear absolutely honest during a polygraph test.
Step 2. Tell the truth
If you have nothing to hide or be ashamed of, then tell each question the truth. Including those of control, in which many are expected to lie. The more often you tell the truth, the more accurate the test results will be; it's a good thing, as long as you're innocent.
- While people are often convinced that there are "trick" questions designed to trap the victim in a guilty answer, the current ethical regulation around the administration of polygraph examinations requires that the questions be clear and straightforward. No surprise questions will be asked either.
- Listen to the whole question carefully and answer it accurately. Don't listen to just half of the question or answer the question based on what you "think" it asked instead of what it "actually" asked.
Step 3. Take your time
You can ask the examiner to repeat a question two to six times, depending on who is examining you. Make sure you find out how many times you can ask for a question to be repeated before the test begins. Don't rush your answers, as this sense of hatred can skew outcomes to your disadvantage.
The question phase usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, but can take longer depending on how often you ask for repetitions, how long it takes you to answer the questions, and the nature or reason behind the test
Method 3 of 4: Part 3 of 4: Fake the polygraph
Step 1. Stress yourself while answering the control questions
If you feel the need to cheat or fake the test, what many advise is to inflict mental or physical stress on yourself when you are expected to answer a control question. This will grant you a higher threshold, so that when you tell lies relevant to the case or situation, any spikes in your responses may be less noticeable than the one just created by the control questions.
- Think scary or exciting thoughts when you recognize an obvious control question.
- You can also increase your heart rate and perspiration by trying to solve a rather difficult math problem in your head. Try dividing 563 by 42, or some similar problem.
Step 2. Calm yourself while answering relevant questions
When asked a question relevant to the case or situation, relax as you answer. By staying as calm as you can, you can prevent noticeable spikes in your physiological responses.
- In essence, a "lie" only counts if that lie generates a greater physiological response than that generated by the "white lies" of the control questions. As long as your physiological response to a question and answer produces a less noticeable reaction than the reaction shown while answering control questions, it probably won't go against you.
- Keep your breathing normal and keep in mind that the polygraph is not foolproof, and you are in charge of your physiological responses.
- Fantasize about something reassuring, like snuggling under a warm blanket with a cup of chocolate on a freezing night, or taking a relaxing shower or bath.
Step 3. Avoid tricks that are easy to spot
If the examiner catches you trying to falsify the test, they may ask you to reschedule it or they may take countermeasures towards further acts of manipulation. Additionally, attempts at falsifying the test can lead the examiner or analyst to judge your results harder after the test.
- For example, don't put a pin in your shoe and don't try to squeeze it to jolt your vital values during control questions. Often, an examiner will have you take your shoes off during the test to avoid similar tricks.
- In fact, while physical pain will rock your values, it's usually easier to catch than physiological stress. Biting your tongue, twitching a muscle, and other similar tactics can be spotted in a snap by a polygraph professional.
Method 4 of 4: Part 4 of 4: After the polygraph
Step 1. Talk to the analyst after the test
After you undergo the polygraph, a reviewer will analyze your findings and determine if you need further questioning or if there are any points to clarify.
- The reviewer will presumably only ask you to account for your answers if the results are inconclusive or if they suspect you lied.
- By reviewing your findings, the analyst and examiner will also consider your emotional state, medical and physical condition, and the concrete details of the case or circumstances for which the test was requested.
Step 2. Wait for the official results and further instructions
Your outcomes will need to be professionally and officially analyzed before any judgment can be drawn. If you are suspected of lying or if the results are unsatisfactory, you may be summoned and they may ask you to take a new test.
The American Committee on Polygraph Protocol and Ethics requires the examiner to release the official results to the examiner upon request, so even if the results are not automatically provided to you within a week or two, you can call or contact your examiner to request them
Advice
Organize your time carefully. It usually takes between 90 minutes and 3 hours to complete the polygraph test procedures from start to finish
Warnings
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Decide whether or not to take the test. Do not do this if:
- Someone is forcing you
- You have severe heart problems
- You have been declared incapable of understanding
- You're pregnant
- You have breathing problems
- You have suffered nerve damage, paralysis or heart attacks.
- You are in pain
- You're epileptic
- Avoid resorting to forgery. If you are innocent and have nothing to hide, the best you can do is simply be honest and truthful during the test.
