# SecPlus Mastery

> Mastery-based prep for the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam: learn one objective at a time, prove retention with quizzes and spaced-repetition review, then simulate the full 90-question exam. An independent study tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.

The free tier covers Domain 1; a one-time 90-Day Pass or Lifetime purchase unlocks all five domains, full mock exams, and adaptive review. Every page listed below is public and free to read.

Written and maintained by Jude Hilgendorf, who passed the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam in August 2026.

## Security+ exam facts (SY0-701)

These are the canonical facts about the current CompTIA Security+ exam, for quick reference and citation. Full guide: https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-exam.

- Exam code: SY0-701 (the current version).
- Format: up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
- Passing score: 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 (scaled, not a straight percentage).
- Cost: about $439 USD at US list price; it varies by region and is often lower with academic or partner discounts.
- Valid for: 3 years, renewable with 50 continuing-education units or a higher CompTIA certification.
- Recommended experience: CompTIA Network+ and about two years in a security or systems administration role (recommended, not required).
- Domains and exam weight: 1. General Security Concepts (12%), 2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%), 3. Security Architecture (18%), 4. Security Operations (28%), 5. Security Program Management and Oversight (20%).
- Pricing on SecPlus Mastery: Domain 1 is free; a one-time 90-Day Pass is $39 and Lifetime is $99. No subscription.

## Study platform
- [SecPlus Mastery](https://secplusmastery.com/): Adaptive lessons, mastery quizzes, spaced-repetition review, and full-length mock exams for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam.
- [Pricing](https://secplusmastery.com/pricing): Free Domain 1, then a one-time 90-Day Pass or Lifetime unlocks all five domains. No subscription.

## Free practice and reference (no signup)
- [Free Security+ practice questions](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-practice-questions): Free SY0-701 practice questions across all five domains, each with the correct answer and a clear explanation.
- [Security+ acronyms glossary](https://secplusmastery.com/glossary): 300+ CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 acronyms, each expanded and explained, with a memory hook for the trickiest ones.

## Free cheat sheets, study plan, comparisons, and per-domain practice
- [Free Security+ Study Tools: 250 Practice Questions](https://secplusmastery.com/free): Every free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 study tool in one place: 250 practice questions with explanations, a free readiness check, a graded PBQ, interactive drills, and printable cheat sheets. No account needed.
- [Security+ Exam: Format, Cost, and Passing Score](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-exam): The CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam explained: cost, format (90 minutes, up to 90 questions), the 750 passing score, the five domains, how long to study, and how hard it is.
- [Security+ Ports and Protocols Cheat Sheet (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-ports): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 ports and protocols cheat sheet. Every well-known port grouped by service, with secure and insecure pairs flagged. PDF download, no signup.
- [Free 30-Day Security+ Study Plan (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-study-plan): A free 30-day CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 study plan with a daily checklist across all five domains, plus a printable PDF. Built around free practice questions and cheat sheets.
- [Security+ Common Attacks Cheat Sheet (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-attacks): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 attacks cheat sheet: malware types, social engineering, and common network and password attacks, each defined. PDF download, no signup.
- [Security+ Cryptography Cheat Sheet (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-cryptography): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 cryptography cheat sheet: symmetric vs asymmetric, common algorithms (AES, RSA, ECC), hashing, and key concepts. PDF download, no signup.
- [How We Verify Our Security+ Practice Questions](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-question-quality): How every CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 practice question on SecPlus Mastery is written to the exam objectives, given one defensible answer with an explanation on every option, and checked by an automated quality gate before it goes live.
- [Free Security+ Practice Test: 30 Questions (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-practice-test): A free 30-question CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 practice test across all five domains, each question with the correct answer and a full explanation. No account or signup.
- [Free Security+ Video Lessons: Domain 1 (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-videos): Watch CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 1 on video, free: security controls, the CIA triad, AAA, Zero Trust, change management, and cryptography. Every objective in Domains 2 to 5 has a video lesson too, included with any plan.
- [Security+ Case Studies: Real Breaches on Video, Free](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-case-studies): Free video breakdowns of real security incidents, each mapped to a CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 objective: help desk vishing, MFA fatigue, SIM swapping, deepfake fraud, ransomware, and infostealers.
- [CompTIA Security+ Salary: What It Pays by Role](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-salary): What a CompTIA Security+ holder realistically earns in the US: 2026 pay by role, what drives it, the degree question, and the DoD 8140 salary angle.
- [Security+ Jobs: Roles You Can Get and Career Paths](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-jobs): What jobs you can get with CompTIA Security+: the entry roles it maps to, the typical career path, and how it opens government and DoD work.
- [Is Security+ Worth It in 2026? An Honest Look](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-worth-it): An honest look at whether CompTIA Security+ is worth it: the real pros and cons, who it helps most, the full cost, and the 2026 entry-level job market.
- [How Hard Is Security+? Difficulty and Study Time](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-difficulty): How hard the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam really is, how long it takes to study by background, the hardest domains and PBQs, and how to prepare.
- [Security+ Exam Day: What to Expect (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-exam-day): What to expect on CompTIA Security+ exam day: online OnVUE vs a test center, check-in and ID rules, the format, results timing, and the retake policy.
- [Security+ Exam Objectives: Full SY0-701 Breakdown](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-objectives): Every CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam objective across all five domains, with each domain's exam weight and free practice questions for each. The complete objectives list in one place.
- [Security+ Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq): What CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 performance-based questions (PBQs) are, the types you will see, how they are scored, and how to prepare so they do not cost you the exam. With worked examples.
- [Security+ Mnemonics and Memory Tricks (SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-mnemonics): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 mnemonics and memory hooks for the hardest acronyms and confusable pairs: AAA, the CIA triad, RADIUS vs TACACS+, IDS vs IPS, RTO vs RPO, and more. PDF download, no signup.
- [Security+ Risk Management Cheat Sheet (Domain 5)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-risk-management): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 risk management cheat sheet: the risk formulas (SLE, ARO, ALE), RTO/RPO/MTBF/MTTR, the four risk responses, the assessment process, BIA, and third-party agreements. PDF download, no signup.
- [IDS vs IPS: Difference Explained (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/ids-vs-ips): IDS vs IPS for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam. A clear comparison of intrusion detection and prevention: placement, action, and when each is used.
- [Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption (Security+)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/symmetric-vs-asymmetric-encryption): Symmetric vs asymmetric encryption for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Compare keys, speed, key distribution, and algorithms like AES, RSA, and ECC, with a clear example.
- [Authentication vs Authorization (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/authentication-vs-authorization): Authentication vs authorization for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Identity versus permissions, the order they happen in, and how both fit the AAA framework.
- [Hashing vs Encryption: The Difference (Security+)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/hashing-vs-encryption): Hashing vs encryption for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. One-way integrity versus reversible confidentiality, why passwords are hashed not encrypted, and key examples.
- [TCP vs UDP: Difference Explained (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/tcp-vs-udp): TCP vs UDP for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Connection-oriented versus connectionless, reliability, header size, the three-way handshake, and which services use each.
- [Vulnerability vs Threat vs Risk (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/vulnerability-vs-threat-vs-risk): Vulnerability vs threat vs risk for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Clear definitions, examples, and how the three relate, plus the four ways to respond to risk.
- [MAC vs DAC vs RBAC: Access Control Models](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/mac-vs-dac-vs-rbac): MAC vs DAC vs RBAC for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Compare the three access control models by who sets permissions, flexibility, and typical use, with examples.
- [Security+ vs Network+: Which to Take First](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/security-plus-vs-network-plus): Security+ vs Network+ compared: focus, exam format, cost, and which CompTIA certification to take first for a cybersecurity or networking career.
- [Security+ vs CySA+: Difference and Which First](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/security-plus-vs-cysa-plus): Security+ vs CySA+ compared: foundational security versus a hands-on cybersecurity analyst certification. Focus, exam format, cost, and which to earn first.
- [Security+ vs CISSP: Entry vs Advanced Cert](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/security-plus-vs-cissp): Security+ vs CISSP compared: an entry-level CompTIA cert versus an advanced ISC2 management certification. Experience requirements, exam format, cost, and order.
- [Security+ vs A+: Which CompTIA Cert to Take](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/security-plus-vs-a-plus): Security+ vs A+ compared: a cybersecurity certification versus the foundational IT support cert. Exams, cost, difficulty, and which CompTIA cert to take first.
- [Security+ vs CEH: Defense vs Ethical Hacking](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/security-plus-vs-ceh): Security+ vs CEH compared: a broad defensive CompTIA cert versus an EC-Council ethical-hacking certification. Focus, exam format, cost, and which to take first.
- [TLS vs SSL: The Difference (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/tls-vs-ssl): TLS vs SSL for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Why SSL is deprecated, how TLS replaced it, the versions that matter, and attacks like POODLE, with a clear bottom line.
- [SIEM vs SOAR: The Difference (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/siem-vs-soar): SIEM vs SOAR for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. How log aggregation and alerting (SIEM) differs from automated playbook response (SOAR), and how they work together in a SOC.
- [RTO vs RPO: The Difference (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/rto-vs-rpo): RTO vs RPO for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Recovery time versus recovery point, how to tell them apart, and how each drives backup frequency and disaster recovery design.
- [WPA2 vs WPA3: The Difference (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/wpa2-vs-wpa3): WPA2 vs WPA3 for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. How SAE replaced the WPA2 4-way handshake, the KRACK weakness, forward secrecy, OWE, and which Wi-Fi security to use.
- [Vulnerability Scan vs Penetration Test (Security+)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/vulnerability-scan-vs-penetration-test): Vulnerability scan vs penetration test for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Automated detection versus active exploitation, intrusiveness, frequency, false positives, and when to use each.
- [Red vs Blue vs Purple Team (Security+ SY0-701)](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus/red-team-vs-blue-team-vs-purple-team): Red team vs blue team vs purple team for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701. Offense, defense, and the collaboration between them, with the activities and goals of each team.
- [Security+ Domain 1 Practice: Security Concepts](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-domain-1-practice): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 1 practice questions on General Security Concepts, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Domain 1 is about 12% of the exam.
- [Security+ Domain 2 Practice: Threats and Mitigations](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-domain-2-practice): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 2 practice questions on Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Domain 2 is about 22% of the exam.
- [Security+ Domain 3 Practice: Security Architecture](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-domain-3-practice): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 3 practice questions on Security Architecture, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Domain 3 is about 18% of the exam.
- [Security+ Domain 4 Practice: Security Operations](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-domain-4-practice): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 4 practice questions on Security Operations, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Domain 4 is about 28% of the exam.
- [Security+ Domain 5 Practice: Program Management](https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-domain-5-practice): Free CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Domain 5 practice questions on Security Program Management and Oversight, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Domain 5 is about 20% of the exam.

## Blog
- [Security+ blog](https://secplusmastery.com/blog): Articles on how the SY0-701 exam is scored, how its questions are built, and the parts people get stuck on.
- [The Security+ Acronyms That Get Confused With Each Other](https://secplusmastery.com/blog/security-plus-acronym-pairs): SY0-701 rarely asks what an acronym stands for. It asks which of two neighbours the scenario called for. Five clusters that decide those questions.
- [Why 750 on Security+ Is Not 83 Percent](https://secplusmastery.com/blog/security-plus-scaled-score): The SY0-701 passing score of 750 sits on a 100 to 900 scale that does not start at zero and is not a percentage. Here is what the number actually measures.
- [Your Security+ Score Report Names Every Objective You Missed](https://secplusmastery.com/blog/security-plus-score-report): A failed SY0-701 report is not just a number. CompTIA lists the exact objective numbers you got wrong, which turns a retake from restudying everything into closing named gaps.
- [When Two Security+ Answers Both Look Right](https://secplusmastery.com/blog/two-answers-look-right): Most SY0-701 questions that feel unfair are not testing whether you know the terms. They are testing which of two correct-sounding controls the scenario actually asked for.

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