The Security+ cert has a 50–60% first-attempt pass rate. That means roughly half the people who sit the SY0-701 exam fail it—not because the material is impossible, but because they prepped with the wrong resources. If you're serious about passing, the course you pick matters more than the hours you log.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the entry-level cybersecurity certification that DoD contractors, government agencies, and Fortune 500 IT teams require by policy. It covers nine domains: general security concepts, threats and vulnerabilities, security architecture, implementation, program management, and more. You don't need prior certs to sit it, but you do need to understand how to apply concepts in scenario-based questions—not just memorize definitions.
This guide covers what the Security+ cert actually tests, which online courses give you the best shot at passing, and how to build a study plan that works.
What the Security+ Cert Actually Tests
The SY0-701 exam (launched November 2023) has up to 90 questions and a 90-minute time limit. You need a scaled score of 750 out of 900 to pass. The question formats include:
- Multiple choice — standard A/B/C/D questions
- Performance-based questions (PBQs) — drag-and-drop, simulations, and scenario labs that open the exam
PBQs trip up most first-timers. They appear in the first 5–10 questions and simulate real tasks: configuring a firewall rule, reading a SIEM alert, or identifying the right cryptographic protocol for a scenario. Courses that skip hands-on labs leave you unprepared for exactly these questions.
The five domain weightings for SY0-701:
- General Security Concepts — 12%
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — 22%
- Security Architecture — 18%
- Security Operations — 28%
- Security Program Management and Oversight — 20%
Security Operations (28%) is the heaviest domain and the one most candidates underestimate. It covers identity management, endpoint hardening, incident response, and log analysis—the day-to-day work of a junior security analyst.
How to Choose a Security+ Cert Course
Not every course that says "Security+" actually maps to the SY0-701 exam objectives. Some were built for SY0-601 and haven't been updated. Before you pay, check three things:
Exam version alignment
Confirm the course explicitly covers SY0-701 objectives. CompTIA retired SY0-601 in July 2024, so any course built around that version will cover outdated content and miss new domains entirely.
Practice tests with explanations
Drilling questions without understanding why an answer is wrong is the fastest way to fail. Good courses include rationale for every answer choice, not just the correct one. Look for at least 200–300 practice questions with detailed explanations.
Performance-based question coverage
If a course doesn't walk you through PBQ-style simulations, you're preparing for a different exam than the one you'll take. Labs, simulations, or at minimum video walkthroughs of scenario-based questions are non-negotiable.
Top Courses for the Security+ Cert
Cybersecurity Assessment: CompTIA Security+ & CySA+ (Coursera)
This course directly targets CompTIA's Security+ and CySA+ exam objectives, covering assessment techniques, threat analysis, and vulnerability management in the format the exams test. It's one of the few Coursera offerings that explicitly names Security+ in its curriculum rather than treating it as a side benefit.
Foundations of Cybersecurity (Coursera)
Google's foundational cybersecurity course is the best starting point if you're coming from a non-IT background—it builds the mental models (CIA triad, threat actors, security frameworks) that underpin every Security+ domain. Use this as a primer before moving to exam-specific prep.
IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist Professional Certificate (Coursera)
A longer-form professional certificate that covers the full spectrum of cybersecurity operations—network security, identity management, incident response, and risk management. The ISC2 co-branding means the content aligns with recognized industry frameworks, and the material overlaps heavily with Security+ domains, making it strong supplementary prep.
Operating Systems: Overview, Administration, and Security (Coursera)
The Security+ exam's Security Operations domain (28% of the test) requires hands-on OS hardening knowledge. This course covers Windows and Linux administration from a security lens—patch management, access control, and endpoint hardening—exactly what PBQs simulate.
Google Cloud Security Engineer Professional Certificate (Coursera)
If you're aiming past the Security+ cert toward cloud security roles, this certificate pairs well—cloud security architecture is a growing portion of Security+ content, and Google's hands-on labs in GCP give you the configuration experience that translates directly to PBQ performance.
Computer Science for Cybersecurity (edX)
Takes a deeper technical approach to security fundamentals—networking, cryptography, and systems security built from first principles. Stronger on the "why" behind Security+ concepts, which helps with the exam's scenario-based questions where memorized definitions aren't enough.
Building a Study Plan for the Security+ Cert
Most candidates who pass on the first attempt study for 6–10 weeks at 1–2 hours per day. Here's a structure that works:
Weeks 1–2: Foundations
Cover general security concepts, cryptography basics, and network fundamentals. If these feel unfamiliar, start with the Google Foundations course before moving to exam-specific material. Don't rush this phase—everything else builds on it.
Weeks 3–5: Core domains
Work through Threats and Vulnerabilities (22%), Security Architecture (18%), and Security Operations (28%) systematically. Follow each video section with 20–30 practice questions on that domain only—not mixed-mode practice yet.
Weeks 6–7: Weak areas + PBQ practice
Use your practice test results to identify your lowest-scoring domains and double down on those. Start running PBQ simulations. Time yourself: PBQs that take more than 8–10 minutes each will eat your exam clock.
Week 8: Full practice exams
Run at least 3 full 90-question timed practice exams under exam conditions (no pausing, no second screens). If you're scoring below 80% consistently, push your exam date back. Scheduling the exam before you're ready is an expensive mistake—Security+ costs $392 per attempt.
Security+ Cert: Career Outcomes
The Security+ cert is explicitly required by DoD 8570/8140, which governs IT and cybersecurity roles across all US military branches and federal contractors. That mandate alone creates a floor of demand that doesn't exist for most other entry-level certs.
Roles that commonly list Security+ as a requirement or preference:
- Security Analyst (Tier 1/2 SOC) — Median US salary ~$75,000–$95,000
- IT Security Specialist — Common in government contracting, $70,000–$90,000
- Systems Administrator with security focus — $65,000–$85,000
- Network Security Engineer (entry) — $80,000–$100,000
Security+ is a launchpad, not a destination. Most professionals use it to qualify for junior roles, then stack CASP+, CySA+, or vendor certs (AWS Security, Microsoft SC-200) within 2–3 years to move into mid-level positions.
FAQ
How hard is the Security+ cert?
Harder than most candidates expect. The PBQ simulations and scenario-based questions require applied understanding, not just recall. Candidates with hands-on IT experience typically find it more manageable than those coming straight from study materials with no lab time.
How long does it take to get the Security+ cert?
6–12 weeks of consistent study for most people. Candidates with existing IT or networking experience (CompTIA A+, Network+, or similar work history) often pass in 6–8 weeks. Starting from zero IT knowledge, expect 10–16 weeks.
Do I need Network+ before Security+?
CompTIA recommends Network+ or two years of IT experience before sitting Security+, but it's not a prerequisite. If you don't have networking fundamentals, supplement your Security+ prep with a basic TCP/IP and networking course—roughly 20–30% of Security+ questions touch on network security.
How much does the Security+ cert cost?
$392 per exam attempt (US pricing as of 2026). Exam vouchers don't expire, so you can buy one and schedule when you're ready. Some employers and many government contractors reimburse the exam fee after passing.
Is the Security+ cert worth it?
For DoD/federal contractor roles: yes, mandatory. For private sector: increasingly common as a baseline screening requirement at large enterprises. The $392 investment pays back quickly if it helps you clear an application threshold or negotiate a $5,000–$10,000 salary bump in a security-adjacent role.
What's the difference between Security+ and CEH?
Security+ is a broad, vendor-neutral certification covering defensive and operational security—the standard baseline for security roles. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) focuses specifically on offensive techniques and penetration testing methodology. Security+ is the right starting point; CEH makes more sense after you have 1–2 years of security experience.
Bottom Line
The Security+ cert is worth pursuing if you want to break into cybersecurity, work in federal IT, or formalize a security specialization within an existing IT career. The exam is legitimately difficult—especially the PBQ simulations—so prep with a course that includes hands-on labs, not just lecture videos.
Start with the CompTIA Security+ & CySA+ course on Coursera for direct exam alignment. If you need to build foundational knowledge first, the Google Foundations of Cybersecurity course is the right entry point. Plan for 8 weeks of structured study, run full timed practice exams before scheduling, and don't sit the exam until you're consistently hitting 80%+. At $392 per attempt, passing on the first try is worth the extra preparation time.