I Have 2 Weeks Until My Security+ Exam and I'm Not Ready: What Do I Do?

You scheduled your Security+ exam weeks ago, thinking you'd have plenty of time to study.

Now it's 2 weeks away, and you're nowhere near ready. Maybe you've only watched half the videos. Maybe you're scoring 55% on practice tests. Maybe you haven't even started studying yet.

You're staring at the calendar wondering: "Should I reschedule? Can I actually pass in 2 weeks? Or am I about to waste $400?"

Here's the real answer: You can still pass—but only if you make smart choices right now. No more pretending you'll "study more tomorrow." It's time for a focused, no-BS cram plan.

Let's figure out if you should reschedule or go for it, and if you're pushing through, exactly what to do in the next 14 days.

First: Should You Reschedule or Push Through?

Before we talk about cramming, let's be honest about your chances.

Reschedule if:

- You've done zero studying (like, literally nothing—no videos, no notes, no practice tests)

- You're scoring below 50% on practice tests consistently

- You don't know basic concepts (CIA triad, common ports, difference between encryption and hashing)

- You have major life events in the next 2 weeks (moving, weddings, work deadlines that'll consume all your time)

- You're dealing with personal stuff that makes focusing impossible right now

Why reschedule? You'll just lose $400 and feel terrible. CompTIA lets you reschedule up to 24 hours before your exam (though you might pay a fee). Rescheduling sucks, but failing sucks more.

Push through if:

- You've studied some (even if it's not enough)

- You're scoring 55-70% on practice tests

- You understand fundamentals but need to fill gaps

- You have 20-30 hours available over the next 2 weeks (that's ~2-3 hours per day)

- You can commit to an intense 2-week sprint

Why push through? You've already invested time and money. Two focused weeks can make a huge difference if you study smart.

Still not sure?

Take a full-length practice exam right now. Like, today.

If you score:

- Below 50%: Seriously consider rescheduling. Passing in 2 weeks is possible but unlikely.

- 50-60%: You can do it, but you need to go hard for the next 2 weeks.

- 60-70%: You're close. A solid 2-week push can get you there.

- 70%+: You're probably fine. Just keep practicing.

Alright, assuming you're going for it, here's the plan.

The 2-Week Security+ Cram Plan

This isn't "study everything." That ship sailed. This is "study the right things in the right order to maximize your chances of passing."

Week 1: Fill the Gaps

Goal: Identify weak areas and shore them up.

#### Days 1-2: Diagnose Your Weak Domains

What to do:

- Take 2 full-length practice exams (different sources if possible)

- Note which domains you're bombing

- Write down topics you're consistently getting wrong

Why this matters: Security+ is 5 domains. If you're scoring 80% on Domain 1 but 40% on Domain 4, you know where to focus.

Time commitment: 3-4 hours per day (2 hours for exams, 1-2 hours reviewing wrong answers)

#### Days 3-5: Attack Your Weakest Domain

What to do:

- Pick your worst domain (the one you're scoring lowest on)

- Watch targeted videos (Professor Messer, Jason Dion, whoever you're using)

- Take domain-specific quizzes (10-20 questions at a time)

- Make flashcards for terms you keep forgetting

Focus on high-value topics:

- Domain 1 (General Security Concepts): CIA triad, authentication vs authorization, security controls (technical, administrative, physical)

- Domain 2 (Threats, Vulnerabilities, Mitigations): Attack types (phishing, malware, DDoS), common vulnerabilities, mitigation strategies

- Domain 3 (Security Architecture): Network security (firewalls, VPNs, segmentation), secure design principles

- Domain 4 (Security Operations): SIEM, incident response, forensics, log analysis (this is 28% of the exam—don't skip it)

- Domain 5 (Security Program Management): Policies, compliance, risk management, governance

Time commitment: 3-4 hours per day

#### Days 6-7: Practice Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

What to do:

- Find PBQ simulations (Jason Dion's course has these, EpicDetect has hands-on challenges)

- Practice common PBQ scenarios:

- Configuring firewall rules

- Analyzing logs to identify attacks

- Matching attacks to MITRE ATT&CK tactics

- Configuring wireless security (WPA2/WPA3, RADIUS)

- Network troubleshooting

Why PBQs matter: They're worth more points than multiple choice. You can score 90% on multiple choice and still fail if you bomb the PBQs.

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per day

Week 2: Practice Like Crazy

Goal: Get comfortable with exam format and timing. Build confidence.

#### Days 8-10: Practice Exams Every Day

What to do:

- Take 1 full-length practice exam per day

- Review wrong answers immediately (spend 1-2 hours after each exam)

- Don't just memorize the right answer—understand WHY

Track your progress:

- Are your scores improving? (Good sign)

- Plateauing? (Focus on specific weak topics)

- Declining? (You're burning out—take a break)

Time commitment: 4-5 hours per day (2 hours for exam, 2-3 hours for review)

#### Days 11-12: Targeted Review

What to do:

- Review your notes on weak areas

- Drill flashcards on terms you're still missing

- Take shorter quizzes (20-30 questions) on specific topics

- Watch quick review videos on topics you're fuzzy on

Don't: Take more full-length exams. You're just burning out at this point.

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per day

#### Day 13: Final Practice Exam + Confidence Check

What to do:

- Take one last full-length practice exam

- Score yourself honestly

- If you're at 75%+, you're ready

- If you're at 65-75%, you have a shot—review your weakest areas

- If you're below 65%, you might struggle (but you've come this far, so give it your best)

Time commitment: 3-4 hours

#### Day 14: Light Review + Rest

What to do:

- Review flashcards for common terms and acronyms

- Watch a quick "day before exam" review video (Messer has a good one)

- Read through your notes

- Get a good night's sleep (seriously—don't stay up cramming)

Don't: Take practice exams. You won't learn anything new, and you'll just stress yourself out.

Time commitment: 1-2 hours max

What to Prioritize (If You're Short on Time)

If you don't have 20-30 hours over 2 weeks, here's what to focus on:

High-Value Topics (Study These First)

- Common ports (80, 443, 22, 3389, etc.) - Easy points

- Cryptography basics (symmetric vs asymmetric, hashing vs encryption, common algorithms)

- Attack types (phishing, malware types, social engineering, DDoS)

- Authentication methods (MFA, SSO, LDAP, Kerberos, RADIUS)

- Incident response phases (Preparation, Detection, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, Lessons Learned)

- Security controls (Technical, Administrative, Physical / Preventive, Detective, Corrective)

- Risk management (Qualitative vs quantitative, risk acceptance/mitigation/transfer/avoidance)

Medium-Value Topics

- Access control models (DAC, MAC, RBAC, ABAC)

- Network security (Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN, NAC, segmentation)

- Wireless security (WPA2, WPA3, EAP types)

- Cloud concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, shared responsibility model)

Low-Priority Topics (Skip If You're Cramming)

- In-depth forensics (Know the basics, don't memorize every tool)

- Obscure protocols (Focus on the common ones, not every possible port)

- Physical security details (Know basics like mantrap, bollards, but don't go deep)

Common Mistakes People Make When Cramming

Let's talk about what NOT to do.

Mistake 1: Trying to Learn Everything

You don't have time. Focus on your weak areas and high-value topics. Spending 2 hours on something you already know is a waste.

Mistake 2: Just Taking Practice Tests Without Reviewing

If you take 10 practice exams but never review your mistakes, you're just reinforcing bad habits. Spend as much time reviewing as you do testing.

Mistake 3: Burning Out

Studying 8 hours a day for 2 weeks straight will fry your brain. You'll retain less and feel miserable. Aim for 2-4 hours per day of focused, quality study.

Mistake 4: Ignoring PBQs

"I'll just focus on multiple choice" = recipe for failure. PBQs are a big chunk of your score. Practice them.

Mistake 5: Staying Up All Night Before the Exam

Your brain needs sleep to consolidate what you learned. Cramming until 3 AM the night before will tank your performance. Get 7-8 hours of sleep.

Exam Day Strategy

You've crammed for 2 weeks. Here's how to maximize your score on test day.

Before the Exam

- Eat a good breakfast (protein + carbs, not just coffee)

- Arrive early (15-30 minutes before your appointment)

- Don't cram in the parking lot (you won't learn anything new, you'll just stress yourself out)

During the Exam

- Do the PBQs last (they take longer, don't let them burn all your time)

- Flag questions you're unsure about (come back to them later)

- Read questions carefully (CompTIA loves trick wording—"which is LEAST secure" vs "which is MOST secure")

- Use process of elimination (eliminate obviously wrong answers first)

- Don't overthink (your first instinct is usually right)

Time Management

- You have 90 minutes for up to 90 questions

- That's ~1 minute per question

- PBQs take 3-5 minutes each (there are usually 5-6 of them)

- Leave PBQs for the end so you don't run out of time

Real Talk: What Are Your Actual Chances?

Let's be honest about the odds.

If you're scoring 55-60% on practice tests with 2 weeks left:

- You've got about a 40-50% chance of passing

- It's doable, but you need to work hard and get a bit lucky

If you're scoring 65-70%:

- You've got about a 60-70% chance of passing

- Solid 2-week cram can push you over the edge

If you're scoring 70%+:

- You've got about an 80-90% chance of passing

- Just keep practicing and don't psych yourself out

If you're scoring below 50%:

- You've got about a 20-30% chance of passing

- Seriously consider rescheduling

Should You Buy More Study Materials with 2 Weeks Left?

Maybe. Depends on what you're missing.

Worth buying:

- Practice exams (if you don't have enough) - The #1 way to improve in 2 weeks

- Flashcard app (like Anki or Quizlet) - Good for memorizing terms on the go

- PBQ simulators (if you're weak on hands-on stuff)

Not worth buying:

- New video courses (you don't have time to watch 20+ hours of videos)

- Thick textbooks (same reason—too much content, too little time)

- Boot camps (way too expensive and time-consuming)

Best investment: A good practice exam platform that lets you take multiple exams and tracks your weak areas. (Hint: EpicDetect's procedurally generated exams are perfect for this.)

TL;DR – Can You Pass Security+ in 2 Weeks?

Yes, if you're scoring 55%+ on practice tests, understand the basics, and have 20-30 hours over the next 2 weeks. Week 1: Diagnose weak domains and attack your worst areas. Week 2: Take 3-4 full practice exams, review mistakes deeply, and practice PBQs. Prioritize high-value topics (ports, cryptography, attacks, incident response). Don't cram the night before—get sleep. If you're below 50% on practice tests, seriously consider rescheduling. Two weeks can work, but only if you're strategic about what you study.

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FAQs

Can I pass Security+ if I start studying 2 weeks before?

Starting from zero with 2 weeks? Very unlikely. But if you've done some studying and just need to intensify, it's doable. Take a practice exam today to see where you stand.

What's the minimum I can study and still pass?

There's no magic number, but most people who pass study 40-80 hours total. If you've already put in 20-30 hours and have 2 weeks left, adding another 20-30 hours of focused study can work.

Should I reschedule if I'm not ready?

If you're scoring below 50% on practice tests consistently, yes. You'll just waste $400. CompTIA charges a rescheduling fee, but it's cheaper than a full retake.

What's the best way to cram for Security+?

Practice exams + reviewing mistakes. Don't just read or watch videos—actively test yourself and fix your weak areas.

How many practice exams should I take in 2 weeks?

5-7 full-length exams, plus shorter quizzes on weak areas. More than 10 and you're probably burning out.

Can I pass just by taking practice tests?

No. Practice tests expose what you don't know, but you need to actually study those topics. Alternate between practice tests and focused content review.

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Sources & References:

- CompTIA Security+ Exam Objectives (SY0-701)

- CompTIA Rescheduling Policy

- Professor Messer's Security+ Course

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> Two weeks is tight, but it's not impossible. Stop panicking and start doing. Focus on what matters, practice like your $400 depends on it (because it does), and give yourself permission to reschedule if you're genuinely not ready. There's no shame in being honest with yourself—but if you're going for it, go all in.

How EpicDetect Can Help

Two weeks isn't a lot of time. You need practice exams that actually help you improve—not just the same 100 questions you'll memorize after the second attempt.

EpicDetect's Security+ practice exams are procedurally generated from a massive question bank. Every time you take an exam, you get new questions. That means you can take 5-10 exams over the next 2 weeks and actually test your knowledge—not your memory.

Plus, we track your performance by domain, so you know exactly which areas to focus on. No guessing. Just data.

You've got 2 weeks. Make them count.

Try EpicDetect's Security+ Prep — 7-day free trial. That's half your remaining time to drill as many practice exams as you need.