Codebusters C

[will0416]

In a k1 or k2, what's the difference between cipher and plain text? This may seem like a silly question but I have seen many different answers for this.

Ciphertext is the message in its encrypted state, a.k.a. how it looks on the test before you solve it. Plaintext is the actual message (what you solve the cipher to actually mean).

Ex:

Ciphertext - IGND'L MY
Plaintext - WHAT'S UP

[Jashan12]

What times do you guys get on the bonus question would you say on average?

[Umaroth]

What times do you guys get on the bonus question would you say on average?

About 2:30-3 unless the quote is super long

[Name]

What times do you guys get on the bonus question would you say on average?

1:30 to 2:00

[ckenn4189]

What's the best way to practice monoalphabetic sub?

[Jashan12]

How many points roughly would get you to place?

[thunderdog116]

Hey I was wondering what resources have been instrumental while studying code. Is it just a lot of practice or is there a madness to the method by doing some preliminary work and finding bits of information along the way. So far, I've only found the sources recommended by Science Olympiad to be helpful and I feel that there's no intermediary between the two methods listed above.

[jimmy-bond]

What's the best way to practice monoalphabetic sub?

https://cryptograms.puzzlebaron.com/ has definitely helped me with mono subs. Another way is to have someone create them for you.

How many points roughly would get you to place?

Depends on a few factors, like what state you're in, length or difficulty of the test, point values of problems, etc. In California, I'd guess that you can only miss up to four problems on a moderate test in order to place, but then again that's just a guess. For example, when I was thrown into the event, we had an easy test. We missed a decryption matrix and a baconian and got second, while the first-place team got a perfect. On an 18-question test I gave out, the third-place team missed maybe 8 or 9 questions. To restate, it depends.

[Umaroth]

What's the best way to practice monoalphabetic sub?

https://cryptograms.puzzlebaron.com/ has definitely helped me with mono subs. Another way is to have someone create them for you.

How many points roughly would get you to place?

Depends on a few factors, like what state you're in, length or difficulty of the test, point values of problems, etc. In California, I'd guess that you can only miss up to four problems on a moderate test in order to place, but then again that's just a guess.

Orange County regionals had 16 questions including timed, top 3 teams finished, we and 2nd place got the exact same time and we won it because they missed one letter on a xenocrypt. In a competitive state, expect the top people to finish a shorter test (17 or less questions) and maybe miss 2-5 on a longer test.

[jimmy-bond]

Orange County regionals had 16 questions including timed, top 3 teams finished, we and 2nd place got the exact same time and we won it because they missed one letter on a xenocrypt. In a competitive state, expect the top people to finish a shorter test (17 or less questions) and maybe miss 2-5 on a longer test.

California will never cease to amaze me. I've never finished a test, but then again I've only ever been in a trio for Code like twice in the two years I've done it.