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Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS)
Practice Questions

20 CIE IGCSE Computer Science questions on Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS), each with instant feedback and a full examiner-style mark scheme.

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✨ Revision guide includes key terms, worked examples and exam technique for Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS).

Try 2 sample questions on Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS)

Question 1 · 1 mark · Difficulty 1/3

Which of the following best describes symmetric encryption?

  1. The same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt data
  2. Data is encrypted using a certificate issued by a trusted authority
  3. A public key encrypts data and a private key is shared openly
  4. One key encrypts data and a different key decrypts data
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — The same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt data
In symmetric encryption, a single shared key is used for both encryption and decryption. Option B describes asymmetric encryption. Option C incorrectly states the private key is shared openly — it is the public key that is shared. Option D describes part of the SSL/TLS certificate process, not symmetric encryption itself.
Question 2 · 1 mark · Difficulty 2/3

Which statement correctly describes a key disadvantage of symmetric encryption compared to asymmetric encryption?

  1. Symmetric encryption produces ciphertext that is easier to intercept
  2. The shared key must be securely exchanged between parties before communication
  3. Symmetric encryption cannot be used to encrypt large amounts of data
  4. Symmetric encryption is too slow for practical use in most systems
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — The shared key must be securely exchanged between parties before communication
The main disadvantage of symmetric encryption is the key distribution problem: both parties must securely share the same secret key before they can communicate, which is difficult over an insecure channel. Option A is incorrect — symmetric encryption is actually faster than asymmetric encryption. Option B is incorrect because both methods produce ciphertext; the security of the ciphertext depends on the algorithm and key length, not the type. Option D is incorrect — symmetric encryption is commonly used for bulk data encryption.
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CIE IGCSE Computer Science: Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) FAQ

How many CIE IGCSE Computer Science questions on Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) are there on Kramizo?
Kramizo currently has 20 exam-board-aligned practice questions on Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) for CIE IGCSE Computer Science, with new questions added every week. Each question gives you instant feedback and a full examiner-style mark scheme that tells you exactly what would earn marks on a real CIE paper. The questions span the full difficulty range — from straightforward recall (level 1) right up to multi-step reasoning and evaluation (level 3) — so the bank works for first-pass revision and final exam-week stress testing alike.
Is Kramizo free for CIE IGCSE students preparing for Computer Science?
Yes — completely free. Every student gets 45 questions a day on the free plan, with no card required and no trial countdown. That free quota works across every subject and every topic in our bank, so you can mix Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) practice with other Computer Science topics or even switch to a totally different CIE subject without paying anything. Kramizo's optional Pro plan removes the daily cap and adds detailed progress analytics, but the free tier is the real product — used by thousands of GCSE, IGCSE and CSEC students.
Are the Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) questions aligned to the official CIE IGCSE Computer Science syllabus?
Every question is written against the published CIE IGCSE Computer Science specification, including the exact command words (state, describe, explain, calculate, evaluate, etc.), mark allocations, and difficulty tier you'd see on a real CIE paper. Explanations are written in the style of official examiner mark schemes — they tell you what is being awarded marks and why distractors are wrong, not just whether you got it right. The bank is continually refined to match the latest syllabus updates from CIE.
How is Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) typically tested on CIE IGCSE Computer Science papers?
Data transmission: encryption (symmetric, asymmetric, public and private keys, SSL/TLS) appears across multiple question types on real CIE IGCSE Computer Science papers — most commonly as multiple-choice questions in the objective section, structured short-answer questions in the main paper, and occasionally as part of an extended response. Kramizo's practice bank reflects that mix: 4-option MCQs, true/false statements, fill-in-the-blank key terms, multi-select questions, and ordering questions. Working through the bank gives you exposure to every question style examiners actually use.

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