Quick Quizzes - Project Scope

Alcoholism

I am a recovering alcoholic. Even though I have been sober for the past 5 years and actively seek treatment, my alcoholism will automatically disqualify me from obtaining a security clearance.

Fact

Fiction

Correct!
Being up-front about any mental health issues and treatment you have sought will help to establish your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness in the adjudication process.

Incorrect.
Being up-front about any mental health issues and treatment you have sought will help to establish your honesty, integrity and trustworthiness in the adjudication process.

Bills

Paying your bills on time is a very important factor in obtaining your security clearance.

True

False

Correct!
Security clearance investigators will look to a person’s credit history and debt to help determine their reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.

Incorrect.
Security clearance investigators will look to a person’s credit history and debt to help determine their reliability, trustworthiness and ability to protect classified information.

Downloading Files

People share games, download music and post files online all the time. It’s no big deal to share content in this way.

True

False

Correct!
It is important to follow rules and regulations for intellectual property, including paying for games, music and files rather than using online sites to find them for free; illegally sharing files indicates an unwillingness to comply with rule and regulations, which is a red flag for security clearance investigators.

Incorrect.
It is important to follow rules and regulations for intellectual property, including paying for games, music and files rather than using online sites to find them for free; illegally sharing files indicates an unwillingness to comply with rule and regulations, which is a red flag for security clearance investigators.

Theft

Konrad stole a pair of Nikes at the mall that would have cost him $200 to buy. He won’t be charged with felony theft, so he does not need to be worried about hurting his chances of getting hired.

True

False

Correct!
Konrad can be charged with misdemeanor theft, which carries a sentence of up to five years depending on how many times Konrad has already been convicted of this crime. His arrest, charges and any convictions will remain on his record and will be available to employers who run a background check.

Incorrect.
Konrad can be charged with misdemeanor theft, which carries a sentence of up to five years depending on how many times Konrad has already been convicted of this crime. His arrest, charges and any convictions will remain on his record and will be available to employers who run a background check.

The Legality of Marijuana

Medical marijuana for pets is legal in my state. My dog has a hip problem for which the vet has prescribed CBD oil. Giving the CBD oil to my dog wouldn’t be a problem for my security clearance.

True

False

Correct!
Though medical marijuana may be legal at the state level, marijuana in any form is still illegal at the federal level and using it, whether for yourself or a pet could jeopardize your ability to obtain a security clearance.

Incorrect.
Though medical marijuana may be legal at the state level, marijuana in any form is still illegal at the federal level and using it, whether for yourself or a pet could jeopardize your ability to obtain a security clearance.

Student Loan Debt

Having student loan debt automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a security clearance.

True

False

Correct!
Though debts will not automatically disqualify an applicant from obtaining a security clearance, investigators will look to see that you have been timely with your payments and that any debts you have are in good standing.

Incorrect.
Though debts will not automatically disqualify an applicant from obtaining a security clearance, investigators will look to see that you have been timely with your payments and that any debts you have are in good standing.

Security Clearance Levels

The difference between the three levels of security clearance relates to the degree of security risk to the country.

True

False

Correct!
Samples levels of security clearance from lowest to highest are Confidential Clearance, Secret Clearance and Top Secret Clearance. These levels primarily depend on the degree of security risk information the person would be able to access could have to the country.

Incorrect.
Samples levels of security clearance from lowest to highest are Confidential Clearance, Secret Clearance and Top Secret Clearance. These levels primarily depend on the degree of security risk information the person would be able to access could have to the country.

Photos on Social Media

I haven’t posted any inappropriate pictures on my social media, but my friend has a picture of us smoking weed at a party years ago. I don’t need to include this in my security clearance application since it isn’t something I posted.

True

False

Correct!
Even if the picture is not on your account, this information will come out during investigations into your background. While marijuana may be legal in your state, it is not legal at the federal level. Disclose information about past mistakes, bad behavior or drug use up-front during a security investigation to demonstrate your honesty and integrity.

Incorrect.
Even if the picture is not on your account, this information will come out during investigations into your background. While marijuana may be legal in your state, it is not legal at the federal level. Disclose information about past mistakes, bad behavior or drug use up-front during a security investigation to demonstrate your honesty and integrity.

Phone Bills and Your Credit Score

Making a late payment on your cell phone bill can damage your credit rating.

True

False

Correct!
While paying your bill on time won’t improve your score, a history of late payments for any of your bills can negatively affect your rating.

Incorrect.
While paying your bill on time won’t improve your score, a history of late payments for any of your bills can negatively affect your rating.

Liability

Jamie deals drugs to make cash to help pay his mom’s rent. Though Rae knows that Jamie deals, she doesn’t know that he is carrying drugs today. If Rae lets Jamie drive her car and they are pulled over, Rae is liable even though she is unaware of the drugs in the car.

True

False

Correct!
As the owner of the car, Rae is liable for any items in it.

Incorrect.
As the owner of the car, Rae is liable for any items in it.

Juvenile Records

If you get arrested for DUI as a juvenile, it won’t show up on an adult record later.

True

False

Correct!
Criminal records remain on a person’s record regardless of the age at conviction; while a person may request expungement under certain circumstances, even that does not fully erase the record. For this reason, be sure to disclose any juvenile arrests or convictions on your security clearance application.

Incorrect.
Criminal records remain on a person’s record regardless of the age at conviction; while a person may request expungement under certain circumstances, even that does not fully erase the record. For this reason, be sure to disclose any juvenile arrests or convictions on your security clearance application.

Employment History

The SF86 asks about each job I have had for the past 10 years. I should report all of my full-time employment, but don’t need to mention part-time jobs, including my job as a summer camp counselor.

Fact

Fiction

Correct!
Report all full- and part-time jobs you have held in the last 10 years, including any that only lasted for a short duration.

Incorrect.
Report all full- and part-time jobs you have held in the last 10 years, including any that only lasted for a short duration.