Codebusters

Division: B – Middle School

NGSS Standard: MS-ETS1-2

Event Rules: See the National Rules Manual

National Event Page: Here

Description:

Teams will cryptanalyze and decode encrypted messages using cryptanalysis techniques for historical and modern advance ciphers. 

Materials:

Teams must bring writing utensils and may bring up to three stand-alone, non-graphing, non-programmable, non-scientific 4-function or 5-function calculators.  No resource materials may be used.  The Event Leader will provide scratch paper and a resource sheet for each team member with the Morse Code Table, English/Spanish letter frequencies, Porta Table, Baconian mappings and modulus inverse tables as needed for the questions on the exam.  

Scoring:

High score wins.

Recommendations:

This event allows up to 3 team members.  Teams are allowed to divide and conquer the test.

FAQs:

• 11/26/24: For the timed Aristocrat question, if teams don’t finish in the allotted 10 minutes, can they choose to finish the question for the base level points after the 10 minutes has expired? Teams can work on any question that they want at any time during the test.  It is only during the first 10 minutes that they can ask for the timed question to be looked at and awarded bonus points if it is complete prior to the end of the 10 minute window.  Regardless of when they worked on the timed question, they are still awarded points for completing it just like any other cipher is scored. There is no requirement for the team to even work on the timed question.  They are free to ignore it completely and work on any part of the test that they like at any time. 

Event Resources:

User guide for Codebusters – 45 pages of resources!
Online Interactive test instructional video
Codebusters 2019 Coaches Clinic Presentation (2018 Rules)
Codebusters Coaches Institute Notes
Codebusters Test Tools
The State event supervisor for Codebusters has set up a twitter handle to send out tips and tricks.  @NCSO_cb
Important update from the Coaches institute.  The K2 alphabet hint is actually a K1 alphabet hint.  Everything described works the same, just the label is a K1 instead of K2.  You can read on how to solve with a K1 alphabet and find previous at http://toebes.com/Ciphers/index.html
Cryptoclub
CIA – break the code
The Imitation Game
Cryptograms.org
Test Builder Demo

Make your own codes:

Media:

The STEM Yard podcast featuring an interview and Q&A with Event Leader John Toebes.