Quick skill test · 25 questions · 25 minutes · Free

Cryptography Quiz

Tests applied cryptography — symmetric ciphers and modes like AES-GCM, public-key cryptography with RSA, elliptic curves and Diffie-Hellman, hashing, MACs and password storage, TLS and PKI, and key management, common pitfalls and post-quantum standards. Pass to earn Applied Cryptography SOA-CRYP.

What is the Cryptography Quiz?

The Cryptography Quiz is a free advanced-level, 25-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests applied cryptography — symmetric ciphers and modes like AES-GCM, public-key cryptography with RSA, elliptic curves and Diffie-Hellman, hashing, MACs and password storage, TLS and PKI, and key management, common pitfalls and post-quantum standards. Score 70% or more on its 25 questions to earn a verifiable Applied Cryptography certificate (SOA-CRYP). Every question is based on published standards and research — including A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography (Boneh and Shoup), RFC 8446: The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.3 (IETF), SP 800-57 Part 1: Recommendation for Key Management (NIST) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

Security engineer, Software developer, Cryptography student, Penetration tester and Security architect — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Cryptography skills for a CV or LinkedIn.

  • Security engineer
  • Software developer
  • Cryptography student
  • Penetration tester
  • Security architect

What the quiz covers

Five skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.

  1. 01

    Symmetric Cryptography

    20%
    • Block ciphers
    • Modes
    • Stream ciphers
  2. 02

    Public-Key Cryptography

    20%
    • RSA
    • Elliptic curves
    • Key exchange and signatures
  3. 03

    Hashing, MACs and Passwords

    20%
    • Hash functions
    • MACs
    • Password storage
  4. 04

    TLS and PKI

    20%
    • TLS 1.3
    • Certificates
    • Trust
  5. 05

    Key Management, Pitfalls and Post-Quantum

    20%
    • Key management
    • Common mistakes
    • Post-quantum

Based on published standards

The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this quiz:

Try a sample question

Encrypting each 16-byte block of an image independently with the same AES key, as ECB mode does, is weak because

  1. ECB can't be decrypted at all
  2. it uses a public key by mistake
  3. AES keys can only be 64 bits long
  4. identical blocks produce identical ciphertext
Show the answer

D. identical blocks produce identical ciphertext — Patterns leak. The real quiz has 25 questions like this.

How the quiz works

  1. 25 minutes, 25 questions

    One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.

  2. Graded on our server

    Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.

  3. Every answer explained

    Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.

  4. Your certificate

    Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.

What you earn

A Science of Apps certificate for Cybersecurity, IT, Cloud & DevOps: ivory paper with a gold medal
LinkedIn-ready certificate

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click

No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.

  1. 1Take the 25-minute test
  2. 2Score 70% or more
  3. 3Click Add to LinkedIn
Free · no sign-up · also emailed to you as a PDF
How it shows on your LinkedIn profile

See every Security, cloud & DevOps certification and test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cryptography Quiz?

The Cryptography Quiz is a free advanced-level, 25-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests applied cryptography — symmetric ciphers and modes like AES-GCM, public-key cryptography with RSA, elliptic curves and Diffie-Hellman, hashing, MACs and password storage, TLS and PKI, and key management, common pitfalls and post-quantum standards. Score 70% or more on its 25 questions to earn a verifiable Applied Cryptography certificate (SOA-CRYP). Every question is based on published standards and research — including A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography (Boneh and Shoup), RFC 8446: The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.3 (IETF), SP 800-57 Part 1: Recommendation for Key Management (NIST) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I take the Cryptography Quiz for free?

Read the five skill areas on this page, then take the 25-minute quiz online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Applied Cryptography certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Are the Cryptography Quiz questions based on real standards?

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: A Graduate Course in Applied Cryptography (Boneh and Shoup); RFC 8446: The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.3 (IETF); SP 800-57 Part 1: Recommendation for Key Management (NIST); FIPS 180-4: Secure Hash Standard (NIST); FIPS 203: Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) (NIST); Password Storage Cheat Sheet (OWASP). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

What does the Cryptography Quiz cover?

Five skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Symmetric Cryptography (Block ciphers, Modes and Stream ciphers); Public-Key Cryptography (RSA, Elliptic curves and Key exchange and signatures); Hashing, MACs and Passwords (Hash functions, MACs and Password storage); TLS and PKI (TLS 1.3, Certificates and Trust); Key Management, Pitfalls and Post-Quantum (Key management, Common mistakes and Post-quantum). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Who should take the Cryptography Quiz?

Security engineer, Software developer, Cryptography student, Penetration tester and Security architect. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Cryptography skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Can I use this for cryptography interview questions, encryption quiz or applied cryptography practice questions?

Yes. The Cryptography Quiz is free and covers all of these: 25 scenario questions in 25 minutes, each answer explained with the source it comes from, so it works as interview and exam practice. It isn't a full course, so use the areas you miss as your study list. Scoring 70% or more earns a verifiable certificate.

Can I take the Cryptography Quiz from any country?

Yes. The quiz is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

How long is the Cryptography Quiz?

25 questions — 5 from each of 5 skill areas — with a 25-minute limit. You need 70% (18 of 25) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How hard is the Cryptography Quiz?

We rate it Advanced: assumes years in the role or deep specialist knowledge. It has 25 scenario questions — 5 from each of 5 skill areas — and a 25-minute limit. You need 70% (18 of 25) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

How are the tests graded?

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

What happens if I don't pass?

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

Do the certificates expire?

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

How can an employer verify my certificate?

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

Are these accredited qualifications?

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.

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