COMPTIA SECURITY+ / EXAM GUIDE Understand the challenge.
Prepare for your weak spots.

"Is Security+ hard?" is the most common question from prospective candidates. The honest answer: it's challenging enough to be meaningful, but entirely achievable with proper preparation. Security+ is harder than entry-level certifications like A+ because it tests applied knowledge through scenario-based questions—you must think like a security professional, not just recall definitions.

Key points for your next step

Security+ can be challenging because it combines networking, security operations, risk, and scenario-based decisions. Difficulty depends on your starting skills and preparation. Security+ requires a scaled score of 750 on a 100–900 scale. This is not a percentage of correct answers; CompTIA does not publish a fixed raw question count needed to pass.

Pass Rate

Not a fixed prediction

Passing Score

750/900

Study Time

2-4 Months

Questions

Up to 90

Exam reference: SY0-701 has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes and uses a scaled 750/900 passing score. Use the current CompTIA objectives. Study durations and practice percentages here are planning examples, not requirements or pass guarantees. Provider and regional prices change; confirm current costs before purchase.

Retake policy · Renewal routes · CE fees

SY0-701 retirement: English ends June 11, 2027; Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai end August 13, 2027. Check the official exam page before booking and choose resources for your exam version.

What Makes CompTIA Security+ Challenging?

Security+ is classified as an intermediate certification, but its difficulty catches many candidates off guard. Unlike A+ and Network+ which test concrete, observable skills, Security+ frequently tests abstract concepts that require deeper understanding:

• Abstract security concepts: Topics like risk assessment methodologies, governance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001), and compliance requirements are conceptual rather than hands-on. Many candidates find it harder to study material they can't physically practice.
• Security+ uses a scaled passing score of 750 on a 100–900 scale. CompTIA does not publish a fixed raw percentage or number of correct answers needed to pass.
• Performance-based questions (PBQs): Security+ PBQs require configuring firewalls, analyzing security logs, identifying vulnerabilities in network diagrams, and making security architecture decisions. These interactive questions carry heavy weight and can't be answered by elimination.
• Broad domain coverage: The exam covers five major domains spanning threats, architecture, implementation, operations, and governance. Each domain contains sub-topics that could be entire courses on their own.
• Scenario-based questions: Most questions present real-world scenarios and ask you to identify the best security solution. This requires understanding not just what each security control does, but when to apply it and why.

Higher Passing Score (750/900) Security+ requires a scaled score; no fixed raw percentage is published—higher than A+ (75-78%) and Network+ (80%). This leaves less margin for error and requires solid knowledge across all domains.

Scenario-Based Questions Most questions present scenarios asking what you would DO in specific situations. Multiple answers may be technically correct, but you must identify the BEST choice for that context. This tests applied knowledge, not just recall.

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) PBQs require hands-on problem-solving in simulated environments: analyzing logs, configuring settings, matching attacks to indicators. Candidates who only study theory often struggle here.

Breadth of Content Security+ covers five domains spanning threats, architecture, operations, and governance. You need competence across offensive and defensive concepts, technical and management topics.

Assumed Prerequisites Security+ assumes networking knowledge (TCP/IP, ports, protocols) and basic systems administration. Without this foundation, you're learning prerequisites alongside security content—significantly harder.

Comparison to Other Exams

Security+ is harder than A+ and Network+, comparable to CySA+ in difficulty, and easier than CISSP or OSCP. It sits at the intermediate level—meaningful enough to impress employers, achievable enough for motivated learners.

Security+ Pass Rate Analysis

CompTIA does not publish an official first-attempt pass rate. Preparation quality matters: use the exam objectives, practical exercises, and explanations of missed questions to identify gaps.

Why the Rate Seems Low:

• Includes unprepared candidates who underestimate the exam
• Includes candidates lacking networking prerequisites
• Includes those using outdated or poor-quality study materials
• Includes candidates who skip practice exams

Prepared Candidate Success Rate: Candidates who:

• Score 85%+ consistently on practice exams
• Have networking fundamentals (Network+ equivalent knowledge)
• Complete 2-4 months of structured study
• Practice with PBQ simulations

CompTIA does not publish an official first-attempt pass rate. Preparation quality matters: use the exam objectives, practical exercises, and explanations of missed questions to identify gaps.

Factors Predicting Success: 1. Prior networking knowledge 2. Structured study approach 3. Extensive practice testing 4. Hands-on lab experience 5. Understanding vs. memorization focus

The 85% Rule

Most successful candidates follow this guidance: don't schedule your exam until you consistently score 85%+ on practice exams from multiple reputable sources. This buffer accounts for exam-day pressure and question variation.

Hardest Topics for Most Candidates

Domain 4: Security Operations (28%) Highest-weight domain covering incident response, monitoring, and security tools. Challenging because it requires understanding how security operates in practice, not just theory.

Specific challenges:

• Incident response procedures and sequencing
• SIEM and log analysis interpretation
• Vulnerability management lifecycle
• Security tool selection for scenarios

Domain 2: Threats, Vulnerabilities, Mitigations (22%) Understanding attack types, threat actors, and mitigation strategies. Difficult because of sheer volume of attacks/mitigations to know.

• Distinguishing similar attack types
• Matching attacks to appropriate mitigations
• Threat actor motivations and capabilities
• Vulnerability types and indicators

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) PBQs trip up candidates who studied theory without hands-on practice. Common PBQ scenarios:

• Log file analysis
• Firewall rule configuration
• Attack/indicator matching
• Network diagram security analysis

Domain Weight Strategy

Domains 2 and 4 together comprise 50% of the exam. Strong performance in these high-weight areas can compensate for weaknesses elsewhere—prioritize accordingly.

How Preparation Reduces Difficulty

Quality Preparation Makes Security+ Achievable:

Build Prerequisites First If you lack networking knowledge, spend 4-6 weeks on TCP/IP, ports, protocols, and basic systems before starting Security+ content. This investment dramatically reduces difficulty.

Use Multiple Resource Types Combine video courses, study guides, practice questions, and hands-on labs. Each reinforces learning differently, building robust understanding.

Practice Extensively Complete 500+ practice questions from multiple providers. Review every question thoroughly—understand why right answers are right and wrong answers are wrong.

Simulate Real Conditions Take at least 3-5 full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This builds stamina and reduces exam-day anxiety.

Focus on Understanding Security+ tests application, not recall. For every concept, ask: "How would I apply this?" "When would I use this?" "What problem does this solve?"

Preparation Timeline Impact: | Approach | Difficulty Perception | Success Rate | |----------|---------------------|--------------| | Minimal prep, no practice | Very Hard | ~20% | | Some study, limited practice | Hard | ~40% | | Structured study, good practice | Moderate | ~70% | | Thorough prep, extensive practice | Manageable | ~85%+ |

Time Investment

Most candidates need 150-250 hours of total study time. Spreading this over 2-4 months allows better retention than cramming. Consistency beats intensity.

Difficulty by Background

IT Professionals with Networking Experience Difficulty: Moderate Timeline: 2-3 months Advantage: Foundation in place, just need security-specific content

IT Support Without Networking Focus Difficulty: Moderate-High Timeline: 3-4 months Need: Build networking fundamentals while learning security

Career Changers with Technical Background Difficulty: Moderate-High Timeline: 3-5 months Need: May have some concepts, need structured IT/security learning

Complete Beginners Difficulty: High Timeline: 4-6 months Need: Must learn networking fundamentals before security content

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Can you explain TCP/IP and the OSI model? (+easier)
• Do you know common ports and protocols? (+easier)
• Have you configured network devices or firewalls? (+easier)
• Is security terminology familiar? (+easier)

More "no" answers = longer timeline and more prerequisite work needed.

Honest Self-Assessment

Take a free Security+ practice test before committing to a study plan. Scoring below 40% without study suggests significant prerequisites are needed. Above 50% suggests existing foundation to build on.

Put the guidance into practice

1. Assess Your Starting Point

   Take a diagnostic practice test and honestly evaluate your networking knowledge.

   If you score below 40% and don't understand basic networking, plan for 4-6 months including foundations.

2. Address Prerequisites

   If networking knowledge is weak, spend 4-6 weeks on fundamentals before diving into security.

   Professor Messer's Network+ videos are free and excellent for building foundations.

3. Study Systematically

   Work through all five domains with video courses, study guides, and practice questions.

   Focus on understanding application, not just memorizing definitions.

4. Practice Extensively

   Complete 6-10 full practice exams and hundreds of practice questions.

   Schedule your exam only when scoring 85%+ consistently across multiple sources.

More study tips

Build networking foundations BEFORE Security+ content—it dramatically reduces difficulty.

Scenario-based thinking is key: practice asking "what would I do?" for every concept.

PBQs require hands-on familiarity—use labs, not just reading.

The 85% practice test threshold works—trust it and don't schedule early.

Understanding beats memorization—the exam tests application.

Study communities (r/CompTIA) provide motivation and specific question clarification.

Mistakes to check for

Underestimating the networking prerequisite knowledge required.

Memorizing definitions without understanding application.

Skipping hands-on practice and struggling with PBQs.

Taking practice exams only at the end instead of throughout study.

Scheduling the exam before reaching consistent 85% practice scores.

Comparing your timeline to others with different backgrounds.

Study note

Security+ difficulty is almost entirely determined by preparation quality. Candidates who build proper foundations, study systematically, and practice extensively find it challenging but achievable. Those who rush in underprepared find it overwhelming. Invest the time—it pays off.

Test Your Security+ Readiness

Take a free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.