Security+ While Working Full-Time: Week-by-Week Study Schedule

You're working 40+ hours a week. Maybe you've got a commute. Maybe you've got family obligations. Maybe you're just exhausted by 7 PM.

And you're supposed to study for Security+ on top of all that?

Here's the truth: You can pass Security+ while working full-time—but you need a realistic schedule that doesn't assume you have 4 free hours every evening.

This is the 8-week plan that actually works for people with jobs. Let's break it down week by week.

Can You Actually Study for Security+ While Working Full-Time?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes, but you need to be strategic about your time.

What doesn't work:

- "I'll study whenever I have time" (you never will)

- "I'll do 4 hours every weeknight" (you'll burn out by week 2)

- "I'll cram on weekends" (you'll forget everything by Monday)

What does work:

- 1-2 hours on weeknights (sustainable, manageable)

- 3-4 hours on weekends (when you have more energy)

- Consistent daily practice (even 30 minutes counts)

- Strategic use of dead time (commute, lunch breaks, waiting rooms)

Total study time needed: 80-120 hours over 8 weeks

Breakdown:

- Weeknights: 1.5 hours × 5 days = 7.5 hours/week

- Weekends: 4 hours × 2 days = 8 hours/week

- Total: 15-16 hours/week × 8 weeks = 120 hours

That's doable. Let's build the schedule.

The 8-Week Security+ Study Plan (For Full-Time Workers)

Here's your week-by-week roadmap.

Week 1: Foundation + Baseline Assessment

Goal: Learn Domain 1 (General Security Concepts) and take your first practice exam

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Watch videos on Domain 1 (CIA triad, security controls, authentication)

- Take notes on key concepts

- Make flashcards for terms you don't know

Weekend study (3-4 hours):

- Saturday: Finish Domain 1 content, review notes

- Sunday: Take your first full-length practice exam (90 minutes) + review wrong answers (2 hours)

Expected baseline score: 45-60% (don't panic, this is normal)

Key deliverable: You now know what you don't know. Focus your next 7 weeks on those gaps.

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Week 2: Threats & Attacks (Domain 2, Part 1)

Goal: Learn attack types, malware, and social engineering

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday-Wednesday: Watch videos on attack types (phishing, malware, DDoS, injection attacks)

- Thursday-Friday: Review notes, drill flashcards on attack types

Weekend study (3-4 hours):

- Saturday: Take domain-specific quizzes on Domain 2 (20-30 questions)

- Sunday: Review mistakes, make more flashcards

Why no full practice exam this week? You're still building content knowledge. Taking another full exam now would just demoralize you.

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Week 3: Vulnerabilities & Mitigations (Domain 2, Part 2)

Goal: Learn vulnerability types, patch management, and mitigation strategies

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday-Wednesday: Watch videos on vulnerabilities and mitigations

- Thursday-Friday: Review all of Domain 2 (Threats, Vulnerabilities, Mitigations)

Weekend study (4 hours):

- Saturday: Take your second full-length practice exam (90 minutes) + review (2 hours)

- Sunday: Review Domain 1 and 2 concepts you're still struggling with

Expected score: 55-65% (you're improving)

Progress check: Are you scoring better on Domain 1 and 2 questions? If not, spend extra time reviewing those domains.

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Week 4: Security Architecture (Domain 3)

Goal: Learn network security, cloud security, and secure design principles

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday-Tuesday: Network security (firewalls, VPNs, segmentation)

- Wednesday-Thursday: Cloud security (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, shared responsibility)

- Friday: Secure architecture principles

Weekend study (4 hours):

- Saturday: Domain 3 quizzes (20-30 questions), review mistakes

- Sunday: Take your third full-length practice exam + review

Expected score: 60-70% (solid progress)

Midpoint check: You're halfway through content. How's your retention? If you're forgetting Domain 1 and 2, add 15 minutes of flashcard review to your daily routine.

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Week 5: Security Operations (Domain 4, Part 1)

Goal: Learn SIEM, log analysis, and incident response

This is the biggest domain (28% of the exam)—don't rush it.

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday-Tuesday: SIEM basics, log sources, correlation

- Wednesday-Thursday: Incident response process (Preparation, Detection, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, Lessons Learned)

- Friday: Review Domain 4 concepts so far

Weekend study (4 hours):

- Saturday: Domain 4 quizzes (focus on SIEM and IR questions)

- Sunday: Light review day (you're over halfway—don't burn out)

No practice exam this week. You're deep in Domain 4 content. Focus on learning before testing.

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Week 6: Security Operations (Domain 4, Part 2) + Governance (Domain 5)

Goal: Finish Domain 4 (forensics, automation) and cover Domain 5 (policies, compliance, risk)

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday-Tuesday: Forensics, automation, orchestration (SOAR)

- Wednesday-Thursday: Domain 5 (policies, governance, risk management, compliance)

- Friday: Review all of Domains 4 and 5

Weekend study (4 hours):

- Saturday: Take your fourth full-length practice exam + review

- Sunday: Focus on weak domains (check your domain scores from practice exams)

Expected score: 65-75% (you're in the passing zone)

Content complete! You've now covered all 5 domains. The next 2 weeks are pure practice and refinement.

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Week 7: Practice Exam Sprint

Goal: Take 3-4 practice exams this week to build stamina and confidence

Weeknight study (1.5 hours/night):

- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Take practice exams (90 minutes each)

- Tuesday, Thursday: Review wrong answers, drill weak areas

Weekend study (4 hours):

- Saturday: Take another practice exam + review

- Sunday: Focus on weakest domain (watch review videos, take quizzes)

Expected scores: 70-80% (consistent improvement)

Why so many exams? You're building exam endurance and pattern recognition. This is where the magic happens.

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Week 8: Final Review + Exam Day

Goal: Polish weak areas, take final practice exams, and pass the real exam

Monday-Wednesday (1.5 hours/night):

- Review flashcards, notes, and weak domain concepts

- Take 1-2 more practice exams

- Review common mistakes

Thursday (1 hour):

- Light review (don't cram)

- Review ports, acronyms, and quick-reference material

- Get a good night's sleep

Friday: Exam Day

- Show up early, confident, and well-rested

- Do PBQs last (don't let them eat up your time)

- Trust your preparation

Expected real exam score: 750-850 (passing is 750)

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How to Fit 1.5 Hours of Study into a Busy Weeknight

"I get home at 6 PM, eat dinner, and I'm exhausted. Where do I find 1.5 hours?"

Here's how real people do it:

Option 1: Early Morning (Before Work)

- Wake up 90 minutes earlier

- Study 6:00-7:30 AM (brain is fresh)

- Go to work

Pros: No distractions, brain is sharp

Cons: Requires early wake-up (not for night owls)

Option 2: Evening (After Work)

- Get home, eat dinner (6:00-7:00 PM)

- Study 7:30-9:00 PM

- Relax before bed

Pros: Most common schedule

Cons: You're tired, distractions at home

Option 3: Split Sessions

- 30 minutes in the morning (flashcards, quick review)

- 1 hour in the evening (videos, practice questions)

Pros: Easier to fit into schedule

Cons: Requires discipline twice a day

Option 4: Use Dead Time

- 30 minutes during lunch break at work

- 30 minutes on commute (audio courses, flashcards)

- 30 minutes in the evening

Pros: Makes use of otherwise wasted time

Cons: Quality of study might suffer (distractions)

Pick the option that fits your life. The best schedule is the one you'll actually stick to.

Weekend Study Strategy

Weekends are your power study days. Here's how to use them:

Saturday: New Content or Practice Exams

- 2-hour study block in the morning (9:00-11:00 AM)

- Break for lunch

- 2-hour study block in the afternoon (1:00-3:00 PM)

- Total: 4 hours

Sunday: Review and Practice

- 90-minute practice exam in the morning

- 2-hour review session in the afternoon

- Total: 3.5 hours

Weekend total: 7-8 hours

Don't: Try to cram 12 hours on Saturday. You'll burn out and retain nothing.

Do: Spread it out, take breaks, and stay consistent.

When to Take Practice Exams (Week-by-Week Schedule)

Practice exams are critical. Here's when to take them:

Week 1: First practice exam (baseline)

Week 3: Second practice exam (check Domain 1-2 retention)

Week 4: Third practice exam (add Domain 3)

Week 6: Fourth practice exam (all content covered)

Week 7: Fifth, sixth, seventh practice exams (exam sprint)

Week 8: Eighth+ practice exams (final prep)

Total practice exams: 8-10

Why this schedule works:

- Early exams identify weak areas

- Mid-phase exams track progress

- Late exams build confidence and stamina

How to Study Efficiently (When You Have Limited Time)

You don't have time to waste. Here's how to make every minute count:

1. Active Recall > Passive Reading

Don't: Re-read notes for 2 hours

Do: Quiz yourself with flashcards for 30 minutes

2. Practice Questions > Watching Videos

Don't: Watch 3 hours of videos on a topic

Do: Watch 1 hour of videos, then answer 50 practice questions

3. Focus on Weak Domains

Don't: Review what you already know

Do: Spend 80% of your time on domains where you're scoring below 70%

4. Use Spaced Repetition

Don't: Cram Domain 1 for 8 hours on Saturday

Do: Review Domain 1 for 15 minutes every day (flashcards, quick quizzes)

5. Simulate Exam Conditions

Don't: Take practice exams with notes open, pausing for breaks

Do: Full 90 minutes, timed, no distractions (treat it like the real exam)

Common Mistakes People Make While Working Full-Time

Let's talk about what derails most people:

Mistake 1: "I'll Study More on Weekends"

You plan to study 12 hours on Saturday. You study 3 hours and burn out.

Better: Plan for 4 hours on Saturday, 4 hours on Sunday. Spread it out.

Mistake 2: Skipping Weeknight Study

"I'll just do weekends." Then something comes up on Saturday, and you've lost a whole week.

Better: Commit to 1 hour/night on weekdays. Even 30 minutes is better than nothing.

Mistake 3: Not Taking Practice Exams Early Enough

"I'll study all the content first, then practice." By the time you take a practice exam, you've forgotten Domains 1-3.

Better: Take your first practice exam in Week 1. Use it to guide your study plan.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Sleep

"I'll study until midnight." You're exhausted the next day at work, and your evening study session suffers.

Better: Study 1.5 hours, then sleep 7-8 hours. Consistent, rested studying beats exhausted cramming.

Mistake 5: Not Using Practice Exams Effectively

"I took 10 practice exams and still failed." You took them, but you didn't review mistakes.

Better: Spend 2 hours reviewing every 90-minute exam. Understand why you got questions wrong.

What If You Fall Behind?

Life happens. You miss a few days. Here's how to recover:

If You Miss 1-2 Days:

- Add 30 minutes to your next 3 study sessions

- Skip some review content, focus on new material

- Don't panic—you're still on track

If You Miss a Full Week:

- Extend your timeline by 1 week (8 weeks becomes 9 weeks)

- Focus on high-value topics (Domains 2 and 4 are 50% of the exam)

- Take an extra practice exam to assess where you actually are

If You're Consistently Falling Behind:

- Reschedule your exam by 2-4 weeks

- Reassess your time commitment (can you actually do 1.5 hours/night?)

- Consider a slower pace (12 weeks instead of 8)

Don't: Keep pushing through if you're scoring 55% in Week 7. You're not ready.

Do: Give yourself more time. Better to pass in 10 weeks than fail in 8.

TL;DR – Can You Pass Security+ While Working Full-Time?

Yes. Study 1.5 hours on weeknights, 4 hours on weekends, for 8 weeks (total: 120 hours). Week 1: Domain 1 + baseline practice exam. Weeks 2-6: Learn all 5 domains (1-2 domains per week). Week 7: Practice exam sprint (3-4 exams). Week 8: Final review + exam day. Take 8-10 full-length practice exams throughout (not just at the end). Focus on weak domains, use active recall, and don't skip weeknight study. Most people fail because they underestimate prep time or take too few practice exams. Stick to the schedule, practice consistently, and you'll pass.

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FAQs

Can you pass Security+ in less than 8 weeks while working full-time?

Yes, but it's aggressive. If you have IT experience or can commit 20+ hours/week, you can do it in 4-6 weeks. For most people, 8 weeks is the sweet spot between "fast enough" and "sustainable."

What if I can only study 1 hour per weeknight instead of 1.5?

Extend your timeline to 10-12 weeks. You'll cover the same content, just slower. Don't try to cram 8 weeks of content into 1-hour sessions—you'll fall behind and get discouraged.

Should I study on my lunch break at work?

Yes, if you can focus. Use lunch breaks for flashcards, quick quizzes, or watching short videos. Save deep study (full practice exams, video lectures) for home when you can concentrate.

What if I work night shifts or irregular hours?

Adapt the schedule to your sleep schedule. If you sleep 8 AM-4 PM, study 5 PM-6:30 PM before work and 1 AM-2:30 AM after work. The key is consistency, not specific times.

Can I pass Security+ while working 50-60 hours/week?

It's harder, but possible. You'll need 10-12 weeks instead of 8. Focus on weekends (8-10 hours total) and squeeze in 30-60 minutes on weeknights when you can.

What if I have kids/family obligations?

Study early morning (before family wakes up) or late evening (after kids are in bed). Alternatively, study during kids' activities (soccer practice, piano lessons). Communicate with your family—they can support you for 8 weeks.

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Sources & References:

- CompTIA Security+ Exam Objectives (SY0-701)

- Adult Learning Theory: Spaced Repetition

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> You don't need 4 free hours every night. You need 1.5 hours of focused, consistent study. The people who pass Security+ while working full-time aren't superhuman—they're just disciplined. Stick to the schedule, take your practice exams, and trust the process. You've got this.

How EpicDetect Fits Into a Full-Time Work Schedule

When you're working 40+ hours a week, you don't have time to waste on inefficient study methods.

EpicDetect's practice exams are designed for busy professionals:

Quick practice sessions:

- Take a full 90-minute exam on weekends

- Take 20-question domain quizzes on weeknights (15-20 minutes)

- Use flashcards during lunch breaks or commutes

Unlimited practice = no rationing:

- Most people buy a 6-exam course and try to ration them across 8 weeks

- With EpicDetect, take as many exams as you need each week

- Week 7 practice sprint? Take 5 exams if you want. No limits.

Domain tracking shows progress:

- See which domains you're improving in (motivation boost)

- Know exactly where to focus limited study time

- Don't waste evenings reviewing domains you've already mastered

All for $25/month—less than you'd spend on multiple Udemy courses.

Start your 7-day free trial and practice on your schedule—not someone else's.