Preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam takes some serious work. You need a structured study plan that not only covers the exam coverage, but also aligns well with your current level of IT proficiency.
Some candidates take the exam with years of cybersecurity experience, while others are starting from scratch. Anyone has a fair chance at success, as long as you set a timeline that honestly reflects your pace, strengths, and weaknesses.
This guide will help you determine how long to study for Security+ exam and explore some strategies to use your time wisely and feel 100% ready when exam day arrives.
The Security+ Study Timeline: An Overview
To start with your exam prepration, it’s critical to get a clear idea of how long you should study for Security+. While this may vary from person to person, here are some baselines you can use as reference points for planning:
CompTIA's Official Recommendation
According to the CompTIA Instructors Network, the standard for most certifications, including Security+, is 40 hours of training per course. The exception is A+, which requires up to 80, and CTT+, which may need only 24.
With Security+, this often means 40 hours in class plus around 42 hours of self-study. This is equivalent to about 2 hours per night for three weeks after training.
However, this is most effective if you already meet the prerequisites. To get the most out of your efforts, consider building a strong base to your knowledge by securing essential foundations like ITF+, A+, or basic networking knowledge before pursuing Security+.
Real-World Study Time Averages
If you’re studying independently, how long should you study for Security+? A four- to six-week plan is realistic for those with prior IT or cybersecurity knowledge. Beginners, on the other hand, may need three to six months to master the material.
The overall pace and duration may also depend on how much time you’re able to dedicate each week. Studying for 10 to 15 hours a week can get you ready in six to eight weeks. A lighter schedule of five to eight hours a week may stretch your prep to three months or more.
Regardless of your pace, the most important factor is consistency. Steady, focused sessions will always produce more solid results than sporadic study binges.
Factors Affecting Your Security+ Study Duration
Your study plan should be based on how extensive your IT background is, but it’s not the only factor in play. Your learning preferences are just as important, as they dictate how and how quickly you can master the material.
Prior IT and Cybersecurity Experience
If you already have experience in IT, networking, or cybersecurity, you’re starting with a guaranteed advantage. Familiarity with key concepts means you’ll spend less time learning foundational material and more time refining your knowledge.
For example, if you’ve worked in network administration or have earned related certifications, you may already know much of the exam content. Hands-on experience can also make performance-based questions much easier to tackle.
Study Intensity and Methods
The exam covers five domains, with Security Operations (28%) and Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) accounting for half the test. Estimating study time becomes more precise when you map hours to each objective in comptia security plus exam objectives. Depending on how much you already know about these topics, you’ll need to allocate time accordingly. Start with your weaker areas, leave the last week for review and practice exams, and make sure to take short breaks to maintain sharpness.
The methods and study resources you use also matter. Usually, a combination of regular reading, timed practice exams, video lessons, and hands-on lab work tends to be more effective for retaining knowledge than relying on a single resource. Consider adding into the mix some self-paced online courses or five-day bootcamps administered by Security+ experts, such as what we offer at Destination Certification.
Personal Learning Style
Everyone learns differently. Some people absorb information best by reading or watching videos, others through discussion and hands-on practice. Understanding your learning style allows you to choose study methods that maximize retention and reduce wasted time.
For example, a visual learner might rely on diagrams and flashcards, while a kinesthetic learner benefits from interactive labs. Tailoring your approach ensures that you’re studying efficiently and staying engaged with the material.
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Tailoring Your Study Plan: Experience-Based Timelines
Now that you recognize the different factors that could affect how long it takes to study for the Security+ exam, it’s time to start strategizing. Here are the recommended durations and key approaches based on your IT background, your learning style, daily time commitment, and access to quality study resources.
Beginners: 2 to 3 Months of Preparation
How long should you study for Security+ if you’re new to the field? Expect to spend no less than two months deep in study. This timeline gives you enough room to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity topics before tackling exam-specific objectives. Ideally, aim to study for one to two hours daily, or about 10 to 15 hours a week. After all, the goal should be to keep a steady pace, so you can avoid cramming when it’s too late.
Your early weeks should focus on learning basic IT, networking, and security principles. Take advantage of free or affordable books and video lessons online to get a hold of theoretical concepts, and use interactive labs to reinforce this knowledge through hands-on application. As you progress, you can start integrating practice exams into your routine to give you a dry run of the actual test to help identify your weak spots.
IT Professionals: 4 to 6 Weeks of Focused Study
If you already work in IT and have a good grasp of networking fundamentals, you can likely prepare in four to six weeks. It’s advisable to plan for two to three hours of focused study daily, totaling 15 to 20 hours a week.
Start with a quick review of familiar core concepts, then focus your time on security topics you encounter less often. Use the exam objectives as a checklist, pairing study materials with hands-on practice labs. Finish with multiple timed practice exams to sharpen your test-taking skills.
Cybersecurity Pros: Accelerated 2 to 4 Week Plans
If you’re a seasoned cybersecurity professional, you may only need two to four weeks to prepare. Since you likely won’t need a lot of catching up, focus mainly on closing knowledge gaps, reviewing the latest Security+ objectives, and practicing under exam conditions. Whether you’re retaking the exam to renew your certification or adding it as a new credential under your belt, this accelerated plan should be enough for you to master the exam’s format and coverage.
Dedicate time each day to targeted study, but prioritize practice tests and lab work to ensure that you can apply your knowledge quickly and accurately. Even with extensive firsthand experience in the field, keeping your preparation structured and consistent will help you pass the exam with flying colors.
Effective Daily and Weekly Study Schedules
It can be challenging to figure out how long to study for Security+ if you’re balancing a full-time job with your exam prep. But you can avoid cramming every spare minute with work and sacrificing your health by adopting the right study strategies.
Balancing Study Time with Full-Time Work
Be realistic about what you can handle. If you can only manage an hour a day, commit to that and make it non-negotiable. Use time-blocking to schedule study sessions just like meetings, and guard that time fiercely. Prioritize tougher topics for when your energy is highest.
Weekend Warriors: Maximizing Off-Hours
If your weekdays are packed, you may need to use weekends for your study sessions, so make them count! Pick whether Saturday or Sunday will be your main study day, and then plan around it. Schedule this time during hours you’re least likely to be interrupted.
If you feel like you need both days, make one session longer and the other lighter to maintain balance and give yourself downtime to rest and recuperate.
Optimizing Your Security+ Study Approach
The way you approach your study can make or break your performance on exam day. Here, let’s compare different methods against one another to see which — or whether a mix of both — might work better for you.
Self-Study vs. Boot Camps: Time Trade-offs
Self-study and boot camps sit on opposite ends of the learning spectrum. Boot camps are fast-paced, highly structured, and often come with career support, making them attractive for those whose employer is footing the bill. However, some boot camps tend to rush through the material, which can be a problem if you’re new to IT or struggle with compressed learning timelines.
Self-study, on the other hand, offers flexibility and affordability. You can set your own pace, spend extra time on challenging concepts, and fit your learning around full-time work or personal commitments. The trade-off is that you’ll need strong self-discipline and consistent motivation to prevent yourself from losing momentum.
For many, a hybrid approach works well. You can use a condensed boot camp as a jumpstart or final review, then reinforce with self-study to fill in any gaps in learning.
Leveraging Practice Exams and Hands-On Labs
Practice exams do more than simply confirm your knowledge. They’re also helpful for identifying your weak spots and getting familiar with the exam’s pacing. Aim to integrate them regularly into your study schedule, reviewing missed questions in detail to understand the logic behind correct answers.
Take your learning a step further with hands-on labs. CompTIA’s CertMaster Labs, for example, lets you apply concepts in a browser-based virtual environment with live virtual machines, simulating real-world tasks you’ll encounter on the job. These immersive exercises build both confidence and competence, especially for performance-based questions you’ll encounter in the exam.
Ultimately, the most effective study plans take advantage of multiple resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you better understand how long to study for Security+, what’s next? Here are some of the most common questions asked about exam prep.
Security+ typically requires less time than Network+ or A+ if you’re an experienced IT professional, though it can be more challenging conceptually. On average, you can prepare for Network+ or A+ within two to three months, while four to six weeks may be enough for Security+ exam prep if done consistently.
Yes. Studying far beyond the point of readiness can lead to burnout. Once you’re consistently scoring well on practice exams and know the objectives by heart, you’re ready.
If you’ve been working in IT and are already familiar with the exam topics, four to six weeks of targeted review and practice exams may be enough. A shorter duration of two to four weeks may suffice if you specialize in cybersecurity.
Conclusion
Determining how long you need to study for Security+ isn’t the only thing you need to ace your exam prep. On top of assessing your IT background and knowledge gaps to fill, you need to set realistic goals, allocate time wisely, and get your hands on quality resources, so you can welcome exam day completely ready to earn that certification.
Destination Certification offers proven tools to sharpen your cybersecurity expertise for a strong performance in Security+. Designed by experts in the field, our study materials streamline learning, reinforce key concepts, and prepare you for every question type you’ll encounter. Sign up for our immersive, five-day bootcamp that delves into the full exam coverage.
The key to advancing your cybersecurity career is an efficient, consistent study plan that builds on your existing knowledge. Unlock a brighter future in cybersecurity by investing in yourself today.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
