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CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the baseline cybersecurity certification. The exam is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, you pass at 750 on a 100 to 900 scale, and the US list price is about $425. It covers five domains and is the credential most entry security and SOC roles ask for. Here is everything you need to know, with free resources to study.
Last updated June 2026
| Exam code | SY0-701 |
|---|---|
| Questions | Up to 90 (multiple choice and performance-based) |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 on a 100 to 900 scale |
| Cost | About $425 USD (US list price) |
| Valid for | 3 years (renew with 50 continuing-education units) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai |
| Recommended experience | Network+ and about two years in a security or systems role |
| Accreditation | ISO 17024 (ANSI); approved for US DoD 8140 |
The exam price is a US list price and changes over time and by region; academic and training-partner pricing is often lower. Check CompTIA for the current figure.
SY0-701 is organized into five domains, each weighted differently on the exam. Domain 4, Security Operations, is the largest, so it deserves the most study time. Each domain links to free practice questions.
| Domain | Name | 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% |
The Security+ SY0-701 exam voucher is about $425 USD at US list price, which covers one attempt. The price varies by region and is often lower through academic or training-partner discounts.
You need 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 to pass Security+. The score is scaled, not a straight percentage, so it does not map cleanly to a fixed number of correct answers.
The SY0-701 exam has a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit. The mix includes multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions that ask you to complete a task in a simulated environment.
Most people with some IT background need about four to eight weeks of focused study. If you are newer to IT, give yourself two to three months. Consistent daily practice matters more than the total number of weeks.
Security+ is a moderate, entry-level exam. The concepts are broad rather than deep, and the scenario wording and performance-based questions trip people up more than any single topic. Practicing with realistic questions is the best preparation.
For most people entering security, yes. Security+ is the baseline certification many employers and the US Department of Defense ask for, it is vendor-neutral, and it opens the door to roles like SOC analyst and security administrator. It is widely treated as the strongest first security certification.
Security+ is valid for three years from the date you pass. You renew it by earning 50 continuing-education units, by passing a higher CompTIA certification, or by retaking the latest version of the exam.
Everything here is free and needs no account. Start with practice questions, then drill the cheat sheets and the glossary.
SecPlus Mastery teaches every SY0-701 objective, then proves you have it with over 1,000 practice questions, timed mock exams, and spaced review across all five domains. Domain 1 is free.
Exam details follow the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification. CompTIA and Security+ are trademarks of CompTIA, used here for identification only. SecPlus Mastery is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CompTIA.