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Free CompTIA Security+ Practice Test
Master cybersecurity fundamentals with our Security+ practice questions
CompTIA Security+: plan your preparation
Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification with targeted practice questions covering cybersecurity fundamentals, risk management, cryptography, and network security. Essential for starting your cybersecurity career.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is widely regarded as the foundational cybersecurity credential that opens doors to a lucrative career in information security. Security+ validates your knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals, risk management, and incident response. Our comprehensive Smart Practice engine covers security topics with practice questions that help you study the concepts needed to protect organizational assets.
Exam version and format
Security+ V7 uses SY0-701: up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, with a scaled passing score of 750/900. CompTIA lists June 11, 2027 as the English retirement date and August 13, 2027 for Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai. Match your study materials to the version you book.
Checked September 8, 2026. Read the official CompTIA Security+ exam guidance before booking.
Updated for Current Exam
Questions aligned with the latest Security+ exam objectives.
PBQ Practice
Prepare for performance-based questions with scenario-based practice.
Government Role Guidance
Check the current DoD 8140 qualification matrix for the specific work role, proficiency level, and employer requirements. Old 8570 category labels do not establish eligibility for every role.
Progress Tracking
Monitor your improvement across all 5 domains.
Security+ Exam Topics
- General Security Concepts (12%)
- Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations (22%)
- Security Architecture (18%)
- Security Operations (28%)
- Security Program Management (20%)
- Malware types and attack vectors
- Cryptography and PKI
- Identity and access management
About CompTIA Security+ Certification
CompTIA Security+ is a foundational cybersecurity certification. It validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. Check CompTIA’s current accreditation information and DoD 8140 work-role guidance.
Security+ is ideal for security administrators, systems administrators, and network administrators. CompTIA recommends having Network+ and two years of IT experience with a security focus.
Who should study CompTIA Security+?
- IT professionals transitioning into cybersecurity who need a vendor-neutral foundational security credential
- Network administrators and system administrators responsible for securing organizational infrastructure
- Government and military personnel building security skills for roles with specific qualification requirements
- Recent graduates from cybersecurity or IT programs looking to validate their security knowledge for employers
- Compliance officers and risk analysts who need to understand security frameworks and controls
Build your CompTIA Security+ study plan
- Focus heavily on Security Operations (28% of the exam) — learn SIEM tools, log analysis, and incident response procedures inside and out.
- Create a comparison chart of symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption algorithms, hashing algorithms, and their use cases — cryptography questions are common.
- Set up a home lab with virtual machines to practice firewall rules, IDS/IPS configuration, and vulnerability scanning using tools like Nmap and OpenVAS.
- Study the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001, and common compliance standards (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS) — governance questions require specific framework knowledge.
- Practice with performance-based question simulators — Security+ includes hands-on questions where you configure firewalls, analyze logs, or identify attack types.
Skills to review
- General Security Concepts
- Compare security roles, control categories, the CIA triad, authentication methods, and gap analysis techniques.
- Threats, Vulnerabilities & Mitigations
- Analyze threat actors, attack surfaces, social engineering, application attacks, and mitigation strategies.
- Security Architecture
- Implement security principles for enterprise infrastructure, cloud, IoT, ICS/SCADA, and embedded systems.
- Security Operations
- Apply security techniques for monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and digital forensics.
- Security Program Management & Oversight
- Summarize governance, risk management, compliance, security policies, awareness training, and auditing processes.
Try these CompTIA Security+ knowledge questions
Choose an answer, then review the explanation. These independent learning examples are not official exam questions or a simulation of exam scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Security+
How many questions are on the Security+ exam?
The CompTIA Security+ exam contains up to 90 questions. The exam includes a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs) that must be completed within 90 minutes.
What is the passing score for Security+?
The Security+ passing score is 750 on a scale of 100-900. This is a scaled score, not a fixed percentage of correct answers.
How long is Security+ certification valid?
CompTIA Security+ certification is valid for 3 years. You can renew by earning 50 CEUs (Continuing Education Units), passing a higher-level CompTIA certification, or retaking the exam.
How much does the Security+ exam cost?
Check the official CompTIA Security+ exam page for current regional pricing. Bundles, training, taxes, and retake fees can differ.
Is Security+ worth it in 2026?
Security+ can provide a foundation for cybersecurity careers. Compare the skills and credentials requested in target job listings. Pay varies by role, location, and experience. Check the current DoD 8140 qualification matrix for the specific work role, proficiency level, and employer requirements. Old 8570 category labels do not establish eligibility for every role.
Is CompTIA Security+ good for career changers?
Yes, Security+ is excellent for career changers as it doesn't require prior cybersecurity experience. The certification provides a solid foundation in security concepts and is often the first step into cybersecurity careers.
What jobs can I get with Security+ certification?
Security+ opens doors to roles like Security Analyst, IT Specialist, Security Consultant, and Network Administrator. Many government positions require Security+ certification, making it valuable for federal employment.
How does Security+ compare to other cybersecurity certifications?
Security+ is considered the foundational cybersecurity certification. It's broader but less deep than specialized certs like CEH or CISSP, making it perfect for establishing baseline security knowledge before specializing.
Does Security+ meet government requirements?
Check the current DoD 8140 qualification matrix for the specific work role, proficiency level, and employer requirements. Old 8570 category labels do not establish eligibility for every role.
How hard is CompTIA Security+ compared to other certs?
Difficulty depends on your starting skills. Security+ covers foundational security topics; CISSP and SecurityX expect broader professional judgment or advanced technical knowledge. Use practice results and the official objectives to plan study rather than assuming a fixed first-attempt pass rate.
What version of Security+ is current?
Security+ V7 uses SY0-701: up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, with a scaled passing score of 750/900. CompTIA lists June 11, 2027 as the English retirement date and August 13, 2027 for Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai. Match your study materials to the version you book.
Study Resources
- Security+ Study Guide - Complete preparation guide
- Security+ Acronyms List - Essential acronyms to memorize
- Security+ Exam Tips - Pass on your first attempt
- 30-Day Study Plan - Intensive preparation
- Weekend Study Plan - For working professionals
- Security sample questions (this page)
- How to pass Security+ - Step-by-step strategy
- Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations - 22% of exam
- Security+ overview (this page) - Complete certification overview
Practice by Topic
- Cryptography Questions - Encryption, PKI, hashing
- Network Security Questions - Firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS
- Identity Management Questions - Authentication & access
- Security+ overview (this page)
- How to pass Security+
- Security+ FAQ (this page)
- Security+ starting point (this page)
- Study Time for CompTIA Security+
Exam Info & Career
- Security+ Exam Cost - Fees and discounts
- Security+ Passing Score - Score requirements
- Is Security+ Hard? - Difficulty assessment
- Security+ Salary Guide - Expected earnings
- Jobs Requiring Security+ - Career opportunities
- Security+ Career Path - Progression guide
Compare Certifications
- A+ vs Security+ - Foundation vs security focus
- Network+ vs Security+ - Which to take first
- Security+ vs CEH - Defense vs offense comparison
- Security+ vs CySA+ - Entry vs intermediate
- Cybersecurity Certification Path - Full roadmap
Related Practice Tests
- CEH Practice Test - Offensive security
- CySA+ Practice Test - Security analyst
- PenTest+ Practice Test - Penetration testing
- Network+ Practice Test - Networking foundation
- CISSP Practice Test - Advanced security
- All Certifications
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- CompTIA Security+ Exam Format
- What If I Fail CompTIA Security+?
- CompTIA Security+ Without Experience
- CCNA vs Network+ 2026
- CompTIA Certification Path 2026
- Explore All Comptia Certifications