CompTIA Security+

What Is the CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the core skills needed for an entry-level cybersecurity job, such as security analyst, SOC analyst or systems administrator with security duties. It is one of the most requested security certifications in job postings and is widely used to meet US government and defense workforce requirements.

The current exam is SY0-701 (V7), launched on November 7, 2023. CompTIA has announced the V8 exam, SY0-801, for on or around November 17, 2026, and lists June 11, 2027 as the retirement date for the English SY0-701. Security+ is valid for three years and is renewed through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program.

Is CompTIA Security+ for Beginners

Yes, you can take Security+ with no experience, because there are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA recommends CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in a security or systems administrator role, and many candidates first earn CompTIA A+ or CompTIA Network+.

If you are new to IT, spend a few weeks on networking basics before starting Security+ material. Questions about firewalls, VPNs and secure protocols assume you already know how traffic moves across a network.

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Format

SY0-701 is a single exam with a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit. It uses multiple-choice questions (single and multiple answer) and performance-based questions. CompTIA Security+ practice tests for exam SY0-701 should follow its five domains:

Security Operations is the largest domain, covering hardening, asset and vulnerability management, monitoring, identity and access management and incident response. Threats and program management together add another 42%.

Domain 1: General Security Concepts

Domain 1 is the smallest at 12%, but it supplies the vocabulary for everything else. It covers security control categories and types, the CIA triad, non-repudiation, authentication and authorization, zero trust, physical security, change management and cryptography basics such as hashing, encryption, PKI and digital signatures.

Learn this domain first. A clear grasp of control types (preventive, detective, corrective, compensating and others) and of cryptographic concepts makes questions in the other four domains far easier to answer.

How Many Questions Are on the Security+ Exam

The Security+ exam has a maximum of 90 questions. Some exam forms have fewer, especially when several performance-based questions take up time. With 90 minutes in total, pace yourself at about one minute per multiple-choice question so that longer tasks still fit.

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

Performance-based questions ask you to apply knowledge in a simulated environment. Examples include configuring firewall rules, matching attack types to indicators, placing security controls in a network diagram or reviewing logs to identify an incident.

PBQs often appear early and can take several minutes each. Many candidates flag them, answer the multiple-choice questions first and come back with the remaining time. Attempt every PBQ rather than leaving it blank.

CompTIA Security+ Scoring: How Many Questions Can You Miss

There is no fixed number of questions you can miss on Security+, because the exam uses a scaled score from 100 to 900 and you need 750 to pass. CompTIA does not publish a percentage equivalent.

You get your pass or fail result at the end of the exam, with a score report showing the objectives where you lost points. Our practice test uses a 75% readiness benchmark, labeled as a benchmark, as a practical target. Scoring comfortably above it across several random sets is a better sign of readiness than a single high score.

SY0-701 vs SY0-801: Which Security+ Exam Should You Take?

Take SY0-701 if you plan to test before November 17, 2026 or are already deep into SY0-701 study material; switch to SY0-801 if you will test after it launches and your course covers it. CompTIA lists June 11, 2027 as the last date for the English SY0-701, and August 13, 2027 for the Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai versions.

SY0-801 keeps five domains but changes their weights, according to CompTIA’s V8 page:

Our CompTIA Security+ practice test follows the SY0-701 objectives. If you sit SY0-801, use them for the shared content and add official V8 material for the topics that changed.

CompTIA Security+ Registration and Fees

You register by buying an SY0-701 exam voucher and booking a session with Pearson VUE. The US retail voucher costs $439 in the CompTIA Store, or $579 bundled with Retake Assurance. Student discounts are also available, so check the CompTIA Store for the current price.

1. Create a CompTIA account and a Pearson VUE profile with the exact name on your ID.
2. Buy an SY0-701 voucher from the CompTIA Store or an authorized partner.
3. Choose a test center or online delivery and pick a date.
4. If you book close to the V8 launch, confirm which exam version your voucher covers.

The official exam details are on the CompTIA Security+ certification page.

Can You Take the CompTIA Security+ Exam Online

Yes, you can take the CompTIA Security+ exam online through Pearson VUE’s remote proctoring. You need a private room, a clean desk, a webcam, a stable internet connection and a computer that passes the system check. A proctor monitors you throughout the session.

Choose a test center if your home setup is unreliable. The exam content and scoring are the same either way.

How Many Times Can You Take the CompTIA Security+ Exam

You can retake the CompTIA Security+ exam if you do not pass, but each attempt requires a new voucher, and CompTIA’s retake policy sets a waiting period after repeated attempts. Check the current retake policy on the CompTIA website before you rebook.

If you do not pass, use the score report to target the weak objectives before trying again. A voucher bundle with a retake can lower the cost of a second attempt.

How to Prepare With a CompTIA Security+ Practice Test

The best way to prepare is to study the five domains in order and check each one with a CompTIA Security+ practice test. Candidates with IT experience often need six to eight weeks at 8 to 10 hours a week:

Turn this into a dated plan with the study planner and keep your booking in view with the exam countdown.

How Hard Is the Security+ Exam

The Security+ exam is hard mainly because of its question style. Many questions describe a situation and offer two or three technically correct answers, and you must choose the best one for the scenario, such as the most cost-effective control or the first step in incident response.

The volume of acronyms adds to the difficulty. Our CompTIA A+ flashcards cover many shared terms, and making your own deck of Security+ acronyms such as SIEM, SOAR, EDR and CASB is a quick win.

CompTIA Security+ Practice Questions and Answers

Our free CompTIA Security+ practice test gives you CompTIA Security+ practice questions and answers across all five SY0-701 domains. Each question comes with an explanation and a “why” note on the wrong options, so you learn the reasoning instead of memorizing answer letters.

Use study mode while learning a domain, then switch to timed mode. Write down the topic of each miss and review it before your next attempt.

CompTIA Security+ Test Day Checklist

Work through this checklist before your exam:

• Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name that matches your registration.
• Arrive early at the test center, or begin online check-in early enough for the room scan.
• For online testing, clear your desk, close other applications and keep your phone out of reach.
• Flag long PBQs and return to them after the multiple-choice questions.
• Read each scenario for keywords such as “best”, “first” and “most likely”.
• Answer every question, because a blank answer earns no points.
• Keep to about one minute per question across the 90 minutes.

Security+ also pairs well with cloud credentials. If your role touches cloud services, the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is a short, foundational next step, and our IT certifications hub lists other options.

CompTIA Security+ FAQ

Is the CompTIA Security+ Exam Hard?

The CompTIA Security+ exam is moderately hard. It covers a wide range of security topics, uses scenario questions with several plausible answers and requires a scaled score of 750, the highest of the three core CompTIA exams. Candidates with A+ or Network+ level knowledge and steady practice-test work usually find it manageable.

How Many Questions Are on the CompTIA Security+ Exam?

The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam has a maximum of 90 questions, and you have 90 minutes to complete it. Questions include multiple choice and performance-based questions. Your exam form may have slightly fewer than 90 questions, so aim for roughly one minute per question and leave time for PBQs.

Is CompTIA Security+ Easy?

CompTIA Security+ is not easy, but it is very achievable with preparation. People with IT support or networking experience find many topics familiar, while complete beginners must learn networking basics as well as security concepts. Most candidates need several weeks of focused study and multiple practice tests before they are ready.

How Easy Is the CompTIA Security+ Exam?

How easy the Security+ exam feels depends mostly on your background. With hands-on IT experience and Network+ level knowledge, six to eight weeks of study is often enough. Without that foundation, plan for longer and start with networking fundamentals, because many security questions assume you know ports, protocols and network devices.

Are CompTIA Practice Exams Worth It?

Yes, practice exams are worth it for Security+. They train you to separate the best answer from merely correct ones, reveal weak domains and build pacing for 90 questions in 90 minutes. Use random sets, review every explanation and study the domains you miss rather than repeating a single test.