Failed Security+? The Retake Policy and a Plan
If you didn't pass Security+, you can book the retake right away. CompTIA doesn't enforce a delay between your first and second attempt. Starting from your third try, though, you need to wait at least 14 calendar days after your previous test before booking another one. The cost for each attempt is the full exam price unless your voucher included a retake. Before scheduling anything, review your score report to see where you lost points.
Last updated September 2026
The retake rules
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Second attempt | No waiting period means you can book it on the same day. |
| Third and later attempts | At least 14 calendar days must pass since your last attempt. |
| Cost | The full exam costs around $439 in the US for each try. CompTIA does not provide free retests or discounts on retakes. |
| Retake vouchers | Some CompTIA bundles come with a voucher for a retake, but it's only usable after you've taken the exam and didn't pass. |
| Number of attempts | CompTIA's policy doesn't limit the number of times you can retake the exam. |
Read your score report first
Your score report includes the exam objectives related to the questions you answered incorrectly. It doesn't specify how many mistakes you made in each objective, so one listed objective might cover one question or several. What it does offer is a concise list of areas to focus on, which is better than going over all 28 objectives again.
Your scaled score indicates how far you missed the mark. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900, and this scale isn't based on percentages, so a 700 doesn't signify that you got 78 percent correct. A score just below 750 typically means sharpening the objectives on your report. A score significantly lower than 750 usually suggests at least one domain needs a full second pass through the material.
More on both: what the score report lists and how the scaled score works.
Write it down today
On the day you get your result, jot down which topics felt uncertain and how your time went during the exam. Keep it focused on the topics and keep it private: the CompTIA candidate agreement bans sharing exam questions.
A three-week retake plan
- Week 1Relearn the objectives on your reportBegin with the listed objective from the most heavily weighted domain. Domain 4 makes up 28 percent of the exam while Domain 1 is just 12 percent, so missing a question in Domain 4 impacts you more. Learn each one anew instead of re-reading notes that didn't help before.
- Week 2Practice until it holdsAnswer practice questions objective by objective until you get them right each time, not just once. Practice performance-based questions every other day because they appear first on the exam and can take longer if the format is new.
- Week 3Test, then bookTake two full timed practice tests and review all mistakes thoroughly. Schedule a retake only when you're solid in every area, not just overall.
Book tomorrow or wait?
Booking the retake for the following day is allowed, and it's only worth it if you missed by a few points and your report includes only one or two objectives. For more than that, wait two to three weeks instead; rushing into a second try too soon might result in failing again and leaving you stuck waiting 14 days before a third attempt.
Security+ retake FAQ
How soon can I retake Security+?
Right away for a second try; nothing makes you wait between the first and second time. For a third or later attempt, you must wait at least 14 calendar days from your last test.Do I have to pay again to retake Security+?
Yes, unless your voucher included a retake. CompTIA charges the full exam fee each time and doesn't offer free retakes or discounts. A bundle that comes with a retake activates only if you fail the first one.Will the Security+ retake have the same questions?
Don't rely on memorizing questions from your first test. Instead, look over the objectives listed on your score report.How many times can you take Security+?
You can take as many retakes as you need since there's no limit set by the retake policy. However, after your second try, you must wait at least 14 calendar days before each subsequent attempt, and every resit costs the full exam fee.What does the Security+ score report show?
The scaled score, the passing mark of 750, and a list of the exam objectives tied to questions you got wrong. However, it doesn't tell you how many questions were missed or how many needed to be answered correctly to pass.Should I wait for the next Security+ version before retaking?
Not if you're partway through. SY0-701 remains available until CompTIA retires it, and our guide comparing SY0-701 to the upcoming version has the dates.
Keep reading
Drill exactly what your report lists
The report provides you with objective codes, and SecPlus Mastery uses these exact codes to organize its content. It includes practice questions, scheduled reviews, and tracking for all 28 objectives, allowing you to focus on precisely what the report covers. Domain 1 is available without charge.
New accounts get 50% off both plans for 7 days: the 90-Day Pass is $19.50 instead of $39.
Retake and voucher rules follow CompTIA's Candidate Agreement and voucher terms, checked October 2026, and can change; confirm them before you book. 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.