One rule behind all the others
Treat everything from the moment you arrive as part of the exam. The waiting room, the small talk, the forms and the pre-test interview all count. If you remember only that, most of the advice below follows naturally.
The checklist is built around the five moments that matter. If you want the full picture of how the test runs first, read the four phases of the polygraph test.
The checklist, moment by moment
| Moment | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| The night before | Sleep, eat normally, and prepare your ID and documents. | Stay up late, skip meals, or take anything new or unusual. |
| Arrival | Arrive early, dressed comfortably, and stay polite and calm. | Rush in at the last minute, or chat about your case in the waiting room. |
| Pre-test interview | Disclose health and medication, and ask about any unclear question. | Over-explain, guess, or agree to wording you do not understand. |
| The charts | Sit still, breathe naturally, and answer yes or no plainly. | Try to control your breathing or reactions, or add comments. |
| Afterwards | Stay calm, write down what happened, and ask what comes next. | Argue, sign anything you have not read, or admit to something untrue. |
The dos in more detail
- Get a proper night's sleep.Tiredness blurs the readings and raises stress. An early night helps more than any last-minute preparation.
- Eat and drink normally.Skipping meals or loading up on coffee can change how your body reacts and how you feel.
- Tell the examiner what applies.Mention health conditions, medication, pain or illness before the charts begin. Say it calmly and factually.
- Ask about unclear questions.Broad or vague questions cause reactions that have nothing to do with honesty. Agree the exact wording in the interview.
- Answer plainly.A clear yes or no at a natural pace. You do not need to look relaxed.
The don'ts that matter most
- Don't take anything to "calm down". New medication, supplements or alcohol can alter your readings and can be misread. Tell the examiner about prescribed medication instead.
- Don't try to manage the machine. Controlling your breathing, counting or tensing muscles are treated as countermeasures, and being accused of them can end a case even when you are honest.
- Don't invent explanations. If you are unsure, say so. Guessing to fill silence is how small inaccuracies become big problems.
- Don't sign what you have not read. Ask for time. You can say you want to read it first or get advice.
- Don't admit to something that did not happen. Pressure to "clear things up" can be intense. A false admission can be used against you far longer than the original result.
If you feel nervous on the day
Nerves are normal and expected. You do not need to eliminate them, only to avoid adding surprises. Understanding the process, arriving early and saying how you feel are the safe ways to settle. Our guide on anxiety and the polygraph explains what nervousness does and does not do to the readings.
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before a polygraph test?
What should I not do before a polygraph test?
Should I tell the examiner about my medication?
How should I answer the questions?
Is the conversation before the test part of the exam?
Sources
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