If you are planning to start a career in cybersecurity, CompTIA Security+ certification is highly recommended. This certification can boost your professional standing and strengthen your position for entry-level roles like security analysts, network security engineers, or business analysts. As of April 2024, there are more than 15,000 job openings in the USA alone for CompTIA Security+ certified professionals. The certification exam can be challenging because it covers various security topics. However, with proper resources and guidelines, it is not that difficult. I have seen many people pass this exam with a good score in one month’s preparation. You will find some Tips and Strategies for exam success in this article. In this article, you will find a CompTIA Security+ Book (Exam: SY0-701) for practice tests, free to download.Â
Table of Contents
Overview of the CompTIA Security+ Exam
The CompTIA Security+ certification exam will certify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:
- Assess the security posture of an enterprise environment and recommend and implement Appropriate security solutions.Â
- Monitor and secure hybrid environments, including cloud, mobile, and Internet of Things (IoT).
- Operate with an awareness of applicable regulations and policies, including governance, risk, and compliance principles.
- Identify, analyze, and respond to security events and incidents.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Test Details
Details | |
Required Exam | SY0-701 |
Number of Questions | Maximum of 90 |
Types of Questions | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
Length of Test | 90 minutes |
Recommended Experience | A minimum of 2 years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security, hands-on experience with technical information security, and broad knowledge of security concepts |
Exam Objectives (Domains)
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented. You should closely follow these domains and Percentages in the examination during your preparation. Domain 2.0: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations, and Domain 4.0: Security Operations covers 50% of the exam. Keeping a printed copy of the CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam Objectives on hand is advisable. After you complete each topic, you should underline them to monitor your progress.
Domain | Percentage of Examination |
1.0 General Security Concepts | 12% |
2.0 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
3.0 Security Architecture | 18% |
4.0 Security Operations | 28% |
5.0 Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Study Materials and Resources to follow:
- CompTIA Security+ objective PDF: This is an important resource to have. This file shows all the domains that will be tested in the exam. You should keep a printed copy of the file to track your progress. Here is the link to the document:Â
- Professor Messer Security+ 601 playlist on Youtube:Â This playlist covers every objective you need to know in small videos. The videos are between three to eight minutes long, and they’re very easy to follow. The downside is that this resource is outdated with exam SY0-701.
- Jason Dion Security+ 701 course on Udemy:Â This course also covers all the different objectives and domains that you need to know to pass the Security+ exam. It includes a 90-question practice exam that mimics the real exam and other practice exams. This course has 31 on-demand videos. Jason Dion has created a social media community where you can find suggestions from other students.Â
- You can use the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Guide by Ian Neil as a reference. This book will provide you with a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and develop hands-on skills. It also has web-based exam prep resources, including mock exams and flashcards. Amazon Link: Purchase HereÂ
- CompTIA Security+ subreddit: This is a community forum where people post their learning strategies and what worked for them. It can be a good resource for staying motivated and getting advice from others who have passed the exam.Â
Exam Tips:
- Use the CompTIA objectives to track your progress. Before moving on, Go through each objective in each domain and ensure that you fully understand and grasp the concepts.Â
- Understand why you got practice exam questions right or wrong: The practice exams provide feedback on each question so you can learn from your mistakes. Don’t just memorize the answers to the practice exams.Â
- Don’t get discouraged: The Security+ exam is designed to be complicated. Don’t let other people’s scores discourage you. You will find many social media posts with a passing score of 900+, but remember that the only score that matters is 750 or higher.Â
- Skip performance-based questions at the beginning and come back to them later: These are more time-consuming, and you can answer them using the knowledge you gain from the multiple-choice questions. If you waste time on these questions, you might not have enough time to answer the easier question.Â
- Only spend a little bit of time on any one question: If you can’t answer a question within 30 seconds, skip it and come back to it later.Â
- Take breaks from studying: It’s important to stay focused, but you also don’t want to get burned out. Take breaks and come back to studying later when you feel refreshed.Â
CompTIA Security+ Book (sy0-701) For Practice Test
While this free CompTIA Security+ (Exam SY0-707) practice test PDF provides valuable practice before taking the exam, it should not be used as the sole resource for learning. For comprehensive understanding and preparation, it is highly recommended to follow an official CompTIA Security+ textbook or equivalent authoritative resource. This book’s sole purpose is to test your knowledge before taking the exam.