GeneralNovember 3, 2025

Udemy Security+ Practice Tests: Which One Actually Helps You Pass?

Shopping for Security+ practice exams on Udemy? Here's an honest comparison of Dion, Messer, Myers, and others—plus why you might outgrow them faster than you think.

ET

EpicDetect Team

14 min read

Udemy Security+ Practice Tests: Which One Actually Helps You Pass?

Udemy Security+ Practice Tests: Which One Actually Helps You Pass?

You're scrolling through Udemy looking for Security+ practice exams. There are like 20 options, all with 4.5+ star ratings, all claiming to be "the best."

Jason Dion's tests? 6 practice exams for $15. Mike Meyers? 5 exams for $12. Professor Messer? Free on his website, or pay for the premium version.

You're wondering: "Which one actually helps you pass? Are they all the same? Should I just buy the cheapest one?"

Here's the honest answer: Most Udemy practice tests are good—but they all have the same fatal flaw: you'll memorize the answers after 2-3 attempts. And that's when you stop learning.

Let's break down the popular options, what makes them good (or not), and when you'll outgrow them.

The Most Popular Udemy Security+ Practice Tests

Let's look at the big names.

Jason Dion's Security+ Practice Exams

What you get:

- 6 full-length practice exams (90 questions each)

- Detailed answer explanations

- Aligned with SY0-701 (current version)

- Performance-based question (PBQ) simulations

Price: ~$15-20 (on sale constantly)

Pros:

- Questions are harder than the real exam (good for prep)

- Excellent explanations (he breaks down why answers are right/wrong)

- PBQs are solid practice

- Well-organized by domain

Cons:

- Only 6 exams = 540 total questions

- After 2-3 passes, you'll start recognizing questions

- Static question pool (same questions every time)

- Questions don't shuffle much—order becomes predictable

Best for: People who want tough practice and detailed explanations, but only need 6 exams' worth of practice.

Mike Meyers' Total Tester

What you get:

- 5 full-length practice exams

- Domain-specific quizzes

- Aligned with SY0-701

- Study mode + exam mode

Price: ~$12-15 (on sale)

Pros:

- Affordable

- Good question variety

- Study mode lets you see answers immediately

- Domain breakdowns help identify weak areas

Cons:

- Only 5 exams = 450 total questions

- Explanations aren't as detailed as Dion's

- Some questions feel easier than the real exam

- Limited PBQ practice

Best for: Budget-conscious students who want solid practice but don't need extreme difficulty.

Professor Messer's Practice Exams

What you get:

- Free: 200+ questions on his website (random quizzes)

- Paid ($40-50): 3 full-length exams + additional quizzes

Price: Free (basic) or ~$40-50 (premium)

Pros:

- Free version is great for quick practice

- Premium exams are high-quality and aligned with objectives

- Messer's explanations are clear and concise

- Good for reinforcing video content

Cons:

- Only 3 full-length exams (premium)

- Limited question pool compared to competitors

- No PBQ simulations (mostly multiple choice)

- Explanations are shorter than Dion's

Best for: People who use Messer's videos and want practice aligned with his teaching style.

Other Udemy Options (David Prowse, Andrew Ramdayal, etc.)

What you get: Varies, but typically 4-6 practice exams

Price: ~$10-20 (on sale)

Pros:

- Usually cheaper during Udemy sales

- Decent question quality

- Good for additional practice if you've exhausted Dion/Myers

Cons:

- Hit-or-miss quality (some are great, some are outdated)

- Smaller user bases = fewer reviews to gauge quality

- May not be updated as frequently

Best for: Supplemental practice after you've used the big names.

The Problem with All Udemy Practice Tests

Here's the thing nobody talks about:

All Udemy practice tests have a limited question pool.

Dion has 540 questions. Myers has 450 questions. Messer's premium has ~270 questions.

That sounds like a lot, right? But here's what happens:

Attempt 1: You score 55%

You're learning, identifying weak areas, reviewing explanations. This is valuable.

Attempt 2: You score 65%

You're improving, but you're also starting to recognize some questions. "Oh, this is the one about the firewall rule..."

Attempt 3: You score 75%

Wait... is this the same exam? Yeah, you've seen this question before. You remember the answer, not because you know the concept, but because you've seen the question 3 times.

Attempt 4: You score 85%

You're not testing knowledge anymore. You're testing memory.

The problem: Once you've taken each exam 2-3 times, you're just memorizing answers. You think you're ready for the real exam, but you haven't actually learned—you've just memorized 540 questions.

Then exam day comes, and you see completely new questions you've never practiced. Panic sets in.

What Makes a Good Security+ Practice Test?

Let's talk about what actually helps you pass.

1. Questions That Match Real Exam Difficulty

Too easy: You'll score 80%+ on practice tests and 65% on the real exam (failing)

Too hard: You'll get discouraged and think you're not ready when you actually are

Just right: Questions that mirror the real exam's style, difficulty, and wording

Verdict: Dion's tests are slightly harder than the real exam (good). Myers' are about right. Some others are too easy.

2. Enough Questions to Avoid Memorization

If you take the same 90-question exam 10 times, you'll memorize answers. You need:

- Large question pool (1,000+ questions minimum)

- Randomization (different questions each attempt)

- Procedural generation (infinite unique combinations)

Verdict: Udemy tests fail here. All have limited pools (450-540 questions total).

3. Detailed Explanations for Wrong Answers

You need to understand:

- Why the correct answer is right

- Why the wrong answers are wrong

- The underlying concept being tested

Verdict: Dion excels here. Myers and Messer are good. Lesser-known courses vary.

4. Performance-Based Question (PBQ) Practice

PBQs are worth more points than multiple choice. You need realistic simulations for:

- Firewall configuration

- Log analysis

- Network troubleshooting

- Wireless security setup

Verdict: Dion has good PBQs. Myers has some. Messer has none.

5. Domain Tracking

You need to know which domains you're weak in:

- Domain 1 (General Security Concepts)

- Domain 2 (Threats, Vulnerabilities, Mitigations)

- Domain 3 (Security Architecture)

- Domain 4 (Security Operations)

- Domain 5 (Security Program Management)

Verdict: Most Udemy tests show domain scores, but don't track improvement over time.

When Udemy Practice Tests Work (And When They Don't)

Let's be real about when Udemy tests are worth it.

Udemy Practice Tests Work Well If:

- You're just starting to study and need to gauge your baseline

- You want 1-2 passes through practice exams to identify weak areas

- You're on a tight budget ($10-20 total spend)

- You're supplementing with other study methods (videos, textbooks, flashcards)

Udemy Practice Tests Fall Short If:

- You need to take 10+ practice exams before you feel ready

- You're a repetition learner (need to practice the same concepts multiple times)

- You've already memorized the questions and need fresh practice

- You're scoring 80%+ on practice tests but don't feel confident

The Memorization Problem

Here's the real issue:

After 2-3 attempts on each Udemy exam, you've seen every question. You can't tell if you're actually ready or if you've just memorized ~540 answers.

The solution? You need new questions every time you practice.

What About Combining Multiple Udemy Courses?

You might be thinking: "What if I buy Dion's tests AND Myers' tests AND Messer's tests?"

The math:

- Dion: 540 questions ($15)

- Myers: 450 questions ($12)

- Messer: 270 questions ($40)

- Total: 1,260 questions for $67

That gets you more practice, sure. But:

- You're spending $67 across 3 different platforms

- You're managing 3 different interfaces

- You still hit the memorization wall eventually

- No central tracking of your progress

It works, but it's clunky.

The Real Question: How Many Practice Exams Do You Actually Need?

Here's the truth most people don't want to hear:

Most people who pass Security+ take 8-12 full-length practice exams.

If you're using Udemy tests:

- Dion: 6 exams

- Myers: 5 exams

- You've used up both courses and taken 11 exams total

But here's the problem: on attempt 2-3 of each exam, you're just reinforcing memorized answers—not learning.

What you actually need: Fresh questions every time, so you're testing knowledge, not memory.

When You Outgrow Udemy Practice Tests

You'll know you've outgrown Udemy tests when:

- You're scoring 85%+ on every exam

- You recognize questions as soon as you see them

- You can predict the answer before reading the options

- You still don't feel confident for the real exam

At this point, you need new practice or you're just wasting time.

The Alternative: Procedurally Generated Practice Exams

Here's what fixes the memorization problem:

Procedurally generated exams pull from a massive question bank and create unique combinations every time.

How it works:

- Question bank: 2,000+ questions

- Each exam: 90 random questions

- Possible combinations: Nearly infinite

- Result: You can take 20 exams and never see the same test twice

Why this matters:

- You're always testing knowledge, never memory

- You can practice as much as you need without diminishing returns

- You get real confidence that you're actually ready

Who offers this? EpicDetect's Security+ practice exams use procedural generation. Take the exam 10 times, get 10 completely different tests.

Cost Comparison: Udemy vs Subscription Platforms

Let's break down the real cost.

Udemy approach:

- Dion: $15 (6 exams, ~540 questions)

- Myers: $12 (5 exams, ~450 questions)

- Messer Premium: $40 (3 exams, ~270 questions)

- Total: $67 for 14 exams (1,260 unique questions)

Subscription platform approach (EpicDetect):

- $25/month

- Unlimited practice exams

- Procedurally generated (infinite unique combinations)

- Domain tracking over time

- PBQ simulations

- Flashcards, learning tracks, challenges

The math: If you study for 2 months, you're spending $50 total. But you get unlimited practice instead of 14 static exams.

ROI: If unlimited practice prevents a $404 retake, it pays for itself.

Which Udemy Security+ Practice Test Should You Buy?

If you're set on Udemy, here's the ranking:

1. Jason Dion's Practice Exams (Best Overall)

- Best for: Most people

- Strengths: Hardest questions, best explanations, good PBQs

- Price: ~$15

- Get it if: You want top-quality practice and tough questions

2. Mike Meyers' Total Tester (Best Value)

- Best for: Budget learners

- Strengths: Affordable, solid questions, domain quizzes

- Price: ~$12

- Get it if: You're on a tight budget

3. Professor Messer's Premium Practice Exams (Best for Messer Students)

- Best for: People using Messer's videos

- Strengths: Aligned with his teaching, clear explanations

- Price: ~$40-50

- Get it if: You're using Messer's free videos and want matching practice

4. Combo: Dion + Myers (Best Coverage)

- Best for: People who want max practice without subscriptions

- Total: ~$27 for 11 full exams

- Get it if: You want to exhaust Udemy options before considering subscriptions

When to Move Beyond Udemy

Move beyond Udemy practice tests when:

- You've taken all exams 2-3 times and memorized answers

- You're scoring 80%+ consistently but don't feel ready

- You need more than 10-15 practice exams to feel confident

- You want fresh questions every time, not repeated ones

At that point, consider:

- Procedurally generated platforms (EpicDetect, etc.)

- Official CompTIA CertMaster Practice (expensive but solid)

- Combination approach (Udemy for baseline, subscription for deep practice)

TL;DR – Which Udemy Security+ Practice Test Should You Buy?

Best overall: Jason Dion's Security+ Practice Exams (~$15, 6 exams, hardest questions, best explanations). Best value: Mike Meyers' Total Tester (~$12, 5 exams, solid quality). Best for Messer students: Professor Messer's Premium Practice Exams (~$40-50). All Udemy tests have the same problem: limited question pools (450-540 questions) that you'll memorize after 2-3 attempts per exam. If you need 10+ practice exams or keep scoring 80%+ but don't feel ready, you've outgrown Udemy—switch to procedurally generated exams that create infinite unique combinations. Udemy works for initial practice; subscription platforms work for deep, repeated practice without memorization.

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FAQs

Are Udemy Security+ practice tests worth it?

Yes, especially Dion's and Myers'. They're affordable ($10-20), high-quality, and great for initial practice. But you'll outgrow them after 2-3 passes through each exam due to limited question pools.

Which is better: Dion or Myers?

Dion's tests are harder and have better explanations. Myers' are slightly easier and more affordable. Most people get both for ~$27 total to maximize practice.

Can I pass Security+ using only free practice tests?

Technically yes, but it's harder. Professor Messer's free quizzes (200+ questions) are good for basics, but you'll want full-length exams to practice timing and endurance.

How many times should I take each Udemy practice exam?

2-3 times max. After that, you're memorizing answers instead of learning concepts. If you need more practice, get new questions (different course or subscription platform).

Are Udemy practice tests harder than the real Security+ exam?

Dion's are slightly harder. Myers' are about the same difficulty. Most others are slightly easier. If you're scoring 75-80% on Dion's tests, you're probably ready for the real exam.

Should I buy practice tests on Udemy or get a subscription platform?

Udemy if you're on a budget and only need 10-15 practice exams total. Subscription if you need unlimited practice or tend to memorize questions after 2-3 attempts.

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Sources & References:

- Jason Dion's Security+ Practice Exams on Udemy

- Mike Meyers' Total Tester on Udemy

- Professor Messer's Security+ Practice Exams

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> Udemy practice tests are great for getting started—but if you're scoring 80% and still don't feel ready, it's because you've memorized the answers, not learned the material. At that point, you need fresh questions. Don't keep drilling the same 540 questions hoping it'll finally click. Get practice that actually tests your knowledge, not your memory.

How EpicDetect Solves the Memorization Problem

Here's what makes EpicDetect different from Udemy tests:

Procedurally generated exams - Every time you take a Security+ exam, you get 90 new questions from our massive question bank. Take the test 20 times and never see the exact same combination twice.

Why this matters:

- You can't memorize your way to a false sense of readiness

- Every practice session tests actual knowledge

- You build real confidence, not memorized patterns

Plus:

- Domain tracking shows improvement over time (not just per-exam scores)

- PBQ simulations for hands-on practice

- Flashcards, learning tracks, and challenges included

- One subscription covers Security+, Network+, and A+

Udemy gives you 6-11 exams for $15-27. We give you unlimited exams for $25/month.

The difference? You'll actually know if you're ready.

Try EpicDetect's Security+ Prep — 7-day free trial. See the difference procedurally generated exams make.

Tags

Security+CompTIAPractice TestsUdemyExam PrepSY0-701Study Guide

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