CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Practice Test
Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam with free practice tests aligned to the real SY0-701 format. Each test has 20 questions with a proportional timer matching the actual exam pace of approximately 1 minute per question.
Mixed Set — CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Practice Tests
Questions distributed across all 5 domains according to the official CompTIA SY0-701 exam objectives. The highest-weighted domain — Security Operations — appears most frequently, just like the real exam.
Domain Wise — CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Mock Tests
Target individual Security+ domains with focused practice. Each mock test covers 20 questions from a single domain to help you build the operational security knowledge and applied skills tested throughout the SY0-701 exam.
About the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam
Everything you need to know about the SY0-701 exam format, who it is for, and why Security+ remains the most widely held and most requested cybersecurity certification in the world.
What Is CompTIA Security+?
CompTIA Security+ (exam code SY0-701) is the world's most widely held cybersecurity certification, with over 700,000 holders globally. Launched on November 7, 2023, SY0-701 is the current active version, replacing SY0-601 which retired July 31, 2024. Security+ is a vendor-neutral, entry-to-intermediate-level certification that validates the core security skills needed for any cybersecurity role — from security analyst and systems administrator to network engineer and cloud security specialist. It emphasizes practical, operational skills alongside foundational theory, testing your ability to assess risks, configure controls, respond to incidents, and support a security program in real enterprise environments.
Security+ is approved under U.S. DoD Directive 8570/8140 for IAT Level II, IAM Level I, and IASAE Level I positions — making it a baseline requirement for a significant portion of government and defense contractor IT security roles. It is recognized by thousands of employers worldwide and consistently appears as the most-requested security certification in job postings. Security+ holders earn an average of $116,000 annually in the United States according to CompTIA's 2024 workforce data. Typical entry roles include Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, IT Auditor, and Cloud Security Specialist. Note: SY0-701 is estimated to retire approximately three years after its November 2023 launch — check comptia.org for the official retirement date.
Exam Format (2026)
Testing method: Computer-based, non-adaptive format at Pearson VUE authorized centers or via OnVUE online proctoring. You can flag questions and return to change answers before submitting.
Questions: Maximum of 90 questions per exam.
Duration: 90 minutes (approximately 1 minute per question).
Question types: Multiple-choice (single and multiple-select) and performance-based questions (PBQs). PBQs appear at the beginning of the exam.
Passing score: 750 on a scaled score of 100–900.
Exam fee: $425 USD via Pearson VUE.
Eligibility Requirements
No formal prerequisites: There are no mandatory prerequisites. Anyone can register for and take the Security+ exam.
Recommended experience: CompTIA recommends CompTIA Network+ and 2 years of IT administration experience with a security focus. This is a recommendation, not a requirement.
Minimum age: CompTIA recommends candidates be at least 13 years old.
Renewal: Security+ is valid for 3 years. Renew by earning 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during the 3-year period, or by passing a qualifying higher-level certification. The CE program allows activity-based renewal without retaking the exam.
Retakes: No mandatory waiting period. Each retake requires full payment of the $425 exam fee. CompTIA bundles with retake protection are available.
Security+ (SY0-701) Domain Weights — Official Exam Objectives
The SY0-701 exam covers five domains reflecting the full security operations lifecycle. Security Operations dominates at 28% — more than a quarter of the entire exam — making it the highest-priority study area for every candidate.
| Domain | Topic | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1 | General Security Concepts | 12% |
| Domain 2 | Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| Domain 3 | Security Architecture | 18% |
| Domain 4 | Security Operations | 28% |
| Domain 5 | Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
How Our Practice Tests Are Designed
Applied security scenario style — Security+ SY0-701 is not a memorization exam. Every practice question is written in the scenario-based style CompTIA uses on the real exam — you are asked to identify the best control for a given situation, select the correct incident response step, determine which threat actor technique matches a described behavior, or recommend the right architecture for a specific security requirement. The goal is to develop applied decision-making, not just fact recall.
Blueprint-aligned mixed sets — Mixed practice tests distribute questions proportionally across all 5 SY0-701 domains per the official CompTIA exam objectives. Domain 4 (Security Operations) at 28% appears most frequently, followed by Domain 2 at 22% and Domain 5 at 20% — matching the real exam's emphasis on operational and governance skills.
Proportional timer — The real Security+ exam allows 90 minutes for up to 90 questions, exactly 1 minute per question on average. Each 20-question practice test is timed at 20 minutes to match this pace precisely. Security+ is one of the most time-pressured CompTIA exams per question — regular timed practice is essential, especially given that PBQs at the start of the real exam can consume more time than standard multiple-choice items.
Domain-specific deep dives — Use the five domain-wise tests to concentrate on areas needing the most reinforcement. This approach is particularly effective for candidates who need more depth in Security Operations (Domain 4), the exam's largest section, or Security Program Management and Oversight (Domain 5), which covers risk and compliance topics that many technical candidates find less familiar than hands-on security tasks.
CompTIA Security+ Exam Preparation Tips
Study Strategy
Prioritize Security Operations — it is more than a quarter of the exam: Domain 4 at 28% covers identity and access management, endpoint hardening, vulnerability management, SIEM and log monitoring, incident response phases, digital forensics, and security automation. Allocate at least a third of your total study time here. Candidates who know the incident response lifecycle (preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, lessons learned) and common IAM concepts score well in this domain.
Study domain-proportionally, not equally: SY0-701 trimmed about 36% of objectives from the prior version — the remaining topics are deliberately weighted. Spending time on Domains 4 and 2 (together 50% of the exam) before moving to Domain 5, then Domain 3, then Domain 1 is the most efficient preparation path to 750.
Master ports, protocols, and crypto fundamentals early: CompTIA consistently tests protocol knowledge across multiple domains. Know common ports (22/SSH, 443/HTTPS, 3389/RDP, 636/LDAPS, 161/SNMP), understand when symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption applies, and be able to distinguish hashing from encryption from digital signatures. These topics reward candidates who make them automatic through repetition.
Test-Taking Strategy
Flag and return — Security+ allows it: Unlike adaptive CAT exams, Security+ is non-adaptive and lets you flag questions and go back before submitting. Use this to your advantage: if a question is unclear or time-consuming, flag it, move on, and return after completing easier items. Never submit with unanswered questions — there is no penalty for guessing.
Manage the PBQ opening carefully: Performance-based questions appear at the start and each can take 3 to 5 minutes. With only 90 minutes total, candidates who spend 20+ minutes on opening PBQs can find themselves rushing through the bulk of multiple-choice questions. Make a time-aware decision on each PBQ: apply your best answer and move on rather than perfecting each one under pressure.
Choose the "most responsible" answer in scenario questions: When two answers seem valid, choose the one that prioritizes security over convenience, prevention over reaction, and least privilege over open access. Security+ consistently rewards answers that reflect disciplined, policy-aligned security thinking over technically clever but risky approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Test Your Security+ Knowledge?
Start with a mixed set to benchmark your readiness across all five domains, then use domain-wise tests to sharpen your weakest areas before exam day.
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