Security+ Exam Prep: The Study Plan That Actually Works (2026)

You've been watching Professor Messer videos for three weeks, your eyes are glazing over at acronyms, and you're still not sure if you're ready to schedule the exam.

Sound familiar?

Let's talk about how to actually prepare for Security+ (SY0-701) without wasting months on ineffective study methods.

What Makes Security+ Different (And Why Most Study Plans Fail)

Here's the thing about Security+: it's not a memorization test.

Sure, you need to know your acronyms (CIA triad, AAA, RAID levels, all that fun stuff). But CompTIA's gotten smarter about their testing. They're testing whether you can apply concepts, not just recite definitions.

That's why people fail despite watching 40 hours of videos and reading textbooks cover to cover. They're studying information instead of practicing application.

How Long Does It Actually Take?

Let's be honest about timelines.

If you're starting from zero IT knowledge:

- Study time: 2-3 months (10-15 hours/week)

- You need to learn foundational concepts first

- Don't rush it—building a solid foundation matters

If you have some IT background (help desk, system admin, etc.):

- Study time: 1-2 months (8-12 hours/week)

- You'll recognize a lot of concepts already

- Focus on the security-specific stuff

If you're already in a security-adjacent role:

- Study time: 3-6 weeks (6-10 hours/week)

- You probably know 40-50% already

- Main challenge is filling knowledge gaps and learning CompTIA's testing style

Don't compare your timeline to someone's LinkedIn post claiming they passed in two weeks. They either had years of experience already or they're exaggerating (it happens).

The 4-Phase Study Method That Works

Forget trying to memorize textbooks. Here's the method that actually gets people passing.

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Week 1-3)

What you're doing: Getting the broad overview and learning core concepts.

Resources to use:

- Professor Messer videos (free on YouTube) - Watch at 1.25x-1.5x speed

- CompTIA Security+ exam objectives (download the PDF from CompTIA's site)

- A good study guide (Jason Dion, Darril Gibson's Get Certified Get Ahead, or Mike Meyers)

How to actually do this:

Don't just passively watch videos. That's how you waste time.

Instead:

1. Watch a video or read a chapter

2. Take handwritten notes (seriously, handwriting helps retention)

3. Explain the concept out loud in your own words

4. Move on

Don't get stuck trying to master everything on the first pass. You're building a mental framework—details come later.

What to focus on:

- Security controls (technical, administrative, physical)

- Threat actors and attack types

- Basic cryptography concepts

- Authentication vs authorization

- Network security basics

Phase 2: Deep Dive (Week 4-6)

What you're doing: Filling in knowledge gaps and understanding the "why" behind concepts.

Resources to use:

- Go deeper on your chosen study guide

- Professor Messer's study groups (free live sessions)

- Practical labs (more on this below)

How to actually do this:

This is where most people make a mistake: they just re-read the same material. Instead, you need to test yourself constantly.

The 80/20 rule for Security+ topics:

These topics show up constantly on the exam—master these first:

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

- Authentication methods (MFA, SSO, federation, biometrics)

- Incident response process (preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, lessons learned)

- Risk management (risk assessment, mitigation strategies, acceptance vs avoidance)

- Security controls (preventive, detective, corrective, compensating)

- Common attacks (phishing, malware types, social engineering, network attacks)

- Cryptography basics (symmetric vs asymmetric, hashing, PKI, certificates)

- Cloud security (shared responsibility model, cloud deployment models)

These are the bread and butter of Security+. If you nail these, you're 70% of the way there.

What often gets tested but people forget:

- Port numbers (know the common ones: 22, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 143, 443, 445, 3389)

- Log analysis scenarios

- Mobile device management (MDM)

- Physical security controls

- Business continuity vs disaster recovery

Phase 3: Practice Exams (Week 7-8)

What you're doing: Learning CompTIA's testing style and identifying weak areas.

Resources to use:

- Jason Dion's practice exams (Udemy—wait for a sale, never pay more than $15)

- Procedural practice exams with stat tracking (shameless plug: EpicDetect has these with nearly infinite question combinations)

- CompTIA CertMaster Practice (official, but expensive)

How to actually do this:

Don't just take practice tests and check your score. That's useless.

Here's the right way:

1. Take a full practice exam (90 questions, 90 minutes—simulate real conditions)

2. Don't look up answers during the test (you can't on the real exam)

3. Review EVERY question after—even the ones you got right

4. Write down why you got it wrong (misunderstood question? didn't know concept? fell for distractor?)

5. Study the topics you missed before taking another exam

6. Wait 2-3 days before retaking the same practice test (avoid memorizing answers)

When are you ready?

You're ready to schedule the real exam when you:

- Score 85%+ consistently on practice exams

- Can explain why wrong answers are wrong

- Aren't just memorizing—you understand the concepts

- Feel confident (not 100% certain, but confident enough)

If you're scoring 70-80%, you're close but not quite there. Study your weak areas for another week.

If you're scoring below 70%, don't schedule yet. Go back to Phase 2.

Phase 4: Final Review (Week Before Exam)

What you're doing: Cementing knowledge and reducing test anxiety.

How to do it:

5-7 days before:

- Take one last full practice exam

- Review Professor Messer's exam cram sessions

- Go through flashcards for acronyms and definitions

- Review your handwritten notes

2-3 days before:

- Light review only (don't cram new material)

- Focus on your weakest 2-3 topics

- Get good sleep (seriously)

Day before:

- Don't study at all (your brain needs rest)

- Do something relaxing

- Prep your testing location (if online) or know where you're going (if in-person)

- Have your ID ready

Day of:

- Eat a normal breakfast

- Don't cram right before the test

- Show up 15 minutes early (stress reduction)

- Take a deep breath—you've got this

The Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

Let's talk about the part that freaks people out.

PBQs are the drag-and-drop, matching, and scenario-based questions. They're worth more points, and they can be time-consuming.

Pro strategy:

Skip them initially. Seriously.

Here's why: PBQs can take 5-10 minutes each. If you start with them and get stuck, you'll panic and rush through the multiple-choice questions (which are easier points).

Instead:

1. Flag PBQs and move to multiple choice

2. Answer all the multiple choice first (build confidence, rack up points)

3. Go back to PBQs with remaining time (usually 30-45 minutes)

4. Don't overthink them—they're testing practical application, not trick questions

Common PBQ types:

- Matching security controls to scenarios

- Configuring firewall rules

- Analyzing logs

- Identifying attack types from network diagrams

- Selecting appropriate authentication methods

Resources: What's Worth Your Money (And What Isn't)

Free Resources (Start Here)

Professor Messer's Security+ Course

- Cost: Free (YouTube)

- Value: Excellent overview, covers all exam objectives

- Use it for: Initial learning and review

CompTIA Exam Objectives PDF

- Cost: Free

- Value: Essential—this is your roadmap

- Use it for: Tracking what you've studied

r/CompTIA Subreddit

- Cost: Free

- Value: Study tips, encouragement, exam experiences

- Use it for: Motivation and advice

Paid Resources (Worth It)

Jason Dion's Practice Exams (Udemy)

- Cost: $10-15 (wait for sales)

- Value: Best practice exams for the money

- Use it for: Testing knowledge and exam readiness

A Good Study Guide Book

- Cost: $30-50

- Options: Darril Gibson's GCGA, Mike Meyers, Sybex

- Use it for: Deep dives and reference material

EpicDetect Security+ Prep

- Cost: 7-day free trial, then subscription

- Value: Procedural practice exams (nearly infinite combinations), flashcards, stat tracking, learning tracks

- Use it for: Knowing when you're actually ready (stat tracking is clutch)

Probably Not Worth It (For Most People)

CompTIA CertMaster Learn

- Cost: $300+

- Value: Official but overpriced for what it is

- Skip it unless: Your employer is paying

Expensive bootcamps ($2,000+)

- Cost: $2,000-5,000

- Value: Good if you need structure and accountability

- Skip it unless: You have the budget and learn best in structured environments

Professor Messer's paid materials

- Cost: $50-80

- Value: High quality but not essential (his free stuff is great)

- Get it if: You want to support him and prefer printed materials

Common Study Mistakes (Stop Doing These)

Mistake #1: Only Watching Videos

Passive learning doesn't work. You need to actively engage—take notes, quiz yourself, explain concepts out loud.

Mistake #2: Not Taking Practice Exams Until the End

Start taking practice exams by week 4. They tell you what you don't know, which is way more valuable than re-reading what you do know.

Mistake #3: Memorizing Without Understanding

You can memorize that "AES is symmetric encryption," but if you don't understand when to use it vs RSA, you'll miss questions.

Mistake #4: Studying Too Long Without Breaks

Your brain retains information better with spaced repetition. Study 45-90 minutes, take a 15-minute break, repeat. Don't grind for 6 hours straight.

Mistake #5: Scheduling the Exam Too Early (or Too Late)

Too early: You're not ready, you fail, you lose $400.

Too late: You're over-prepared, you're burned out, you second-guess yourself.

Schedule when you're consistently scoring 85%+ on practice exams.

Test Day Tips

For online testing (OnVUE):

- Test your computer and internet 2 days before

- Clear your desk completely (they're strict)

- Have your ID ready (government-issued)

- Close all programs and browser tabs

- Use the bathroom before you start (you can't pause)

For in-person testing:

- Arrive 15 minutes early

- Bring two forms of ID

- Use the brain dump sheet (they give you scratch paper)

- Don't bring your phone or smartwatch

During the exam:

- Read questions carefully (CompTIA loves tricky wording)

- Use the process of elimination on multiple choice

- Flag questions you're unsure about (review if time allows)

- Don't change answers unless you're certain (first instinct is usually right)

- Manage your time (90 questions in 90 minutes = 1 minute per question)

What If You Fail?

Let's be real: some people fail on the first try. It happens.

If you fail:

1. Don't panic—it's not the end of the world

2. Review your score report (shows which domains you were weak in)

3. Wait the mandatory period before retaking (check CompTIA's retake policy)

4. Study your weak areas specifically

5. Take more practice exams focusing on those domains

6. Retake when ready (most people pass on the second attempt)

The exam costs $400. Failing sucks, but it's a learning experience. Use it to come back stronger.

TL;DR – Security+ Exam Prep That Works

Study for 6-12 weeks depending on your background. Use Professor Messer (free) + a good study guide + practice exams. Focus on application, not memorization. Master the big topics (access control, incident response, cryptography, risk management). Take practice exams starting week 4. Schedule the real exam when you score 85%+ consistently. Skip PBQs initially and come back to them. Don't cram the day before. You've got this.

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FAQs

How hard is the Security+ exam really?

It's challenging but passable with proper prep. The pass rate is around 80-85% for people who study properly. If you're scoring 85%+ on practice exams, you'll likely pass.

Can I pass Security+ with no IT experience?

Yes, but it'll take longer (2-3 months vs 1-2 months). CompTIA says it's designed for people with 2 years of IT experience, but plenty of people pass without it. You'll just need to study fundamentals more thoroughly.

Should I get A+ and Network+ first?

Not required, but helpful if you're completely new to IT. If you have any IT background (even help desk), you can skip straight to Security+. If you're brand new, consider A+ first for foundational knowledge.

How much does the Security+ exam cost?

The exam voucher is $404 (as of 2026). Look for CompTIA voucher discounts (academic, military, or bundle deals). Never pay full price if you can avoid it.

What's a passing score for Security+?

The passing score is 750 out of 900 (about 83%). The exam is scaled, so some questions are worth more than others (PBQs are weighted higher).

How long is the Security+ certification valid?

Three years. You'll need to renew it through continuing education units (CEUs) or by taking another CompTIA exam. Most people renew by getting a higher-level cert like CySA+.

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Final thought: Security+ is the foundation cert for a reason—it opens doors. Don't overthink it, don't stress too much, and trust the process. Thousands of people pass this exam every month. You can be one of them.

How EpicDetect Can Help You Pass Security+

Here's the problem with most Security+ prep: you never really know if you're ready until you take the $400 exam.

EpicDetect solves this with procedural practice exams that have nearly infinite question combinations (so you can't just memorize answers), stat tracking that shows your readiness across all exam domains, and flashcards for drilling acronyms and definitions.

You get a 7-day free trial to see if it works for you. If you're serious about passing on your first try, check it out: EpicDetect Security+ Prep

Because spending $400 once is a lot better than spending it twice.