Ace Your Security+ Exam: Expert Tips on How to Study Effectively

The CompTIA Security+ certification is a trusted entry point for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, and for good reason: It demonstrates your ability to protect networks, systems, and data against a wide range of threats.

However, such a reputation comes with rigor, which is why passing the exam requires far more than simply skimming a few chapters in a study guide. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to study for the Security+ exam, starting with creating a structured study plan, selecting the right resources, and some proven techniques to help you retain key information and approach exam day with a clear path to success.

Including reference to security plus 701 objectives ensures your plan aligns with the exact exam scope

Understanding the Security+ Exam

Your Security+ study plan should be built around your current knowledge in IT, learning preferences, budget, and personal timeline, but these aren’t the only factors that should be taken into account.

Knowing the basics about the exam — from its coverage and structure, to the skills and experience you’ll need to pass — is key to learning how to study for Security+ in a way that’s both practical and effective. 

Exam structure and content areas

Since the Security+ certification is widely respected as an indicator of competencies in cybersecurity, CompTIA regularly updates the exam coverage to ensure that credential holders are keeping up with the latest developments in the field.

The current version of the exam, SY0-701, was launched in November 2023. It features up to 90 items, blending multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs), which simulate real-world scenarios like configuring firewalls or analyzing suspicious logs.

You have 90 minutes to complete the test, giving you roughly a minute per item, and you’ll need a score of 750 on a 100 to 900 scale in order to pass.

The Security+ exam spans five domains:

1. General Security Concepts (making up 12% of the exam coverage)
2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%)
3. Security Architecture (18%)
4. Security Operations (28%)
5. Security Program Management and Oversight (20%)

Required skills and knowledge

So, how should you study for Security+? The exam covers both general security concepts and more in-depth areas of cybersecurity, so be prepared to tackle a broad range of topics throughout your study. 

The following is a summary of the exam objectives you’ll need to review to earn your Security+ certification:

• General Security Concepts: Learn about cybersecurity fundamentals like confidentiality, integrity, and availability (or the CIA triad) and authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA); cryptographic methods like PKI, hashing, and encryption; and basic security controls.
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations: Familiarize yourself with common actors and motivations behind threats, various potential system vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques, and what a malicious activity entails.
• Security Architecture: Understand the different architecture models and methods to protect and recover data.
• Security Operations: Master how to manage assets, vulnerabilities, access, and identity; and how to leverage automation, incident response techniques, and different data sources for investigations.
• Security Program Management and Oversight: Learn more about security governance policies and considerations, security compliance, internal and external audits, and risk management.  

Organizing your study based on comptia security plus exam objectives ensures you cover every tested topic.

Importance of hands-on experience

To pass the Security+ exam, you’ll need to not only master a wide range of security concepts, but you must also learn to apply your knowledge in practical scenarios. This makes hands-on practice highly necessary.

If you’re not yet practicing cybersecurity firsthand, then how can you study for Security+? Virtual labs can be useful for gaining practical experience outside of actual work. This lets you troubleshoot issues, configure security settings, and respond to incidents under simulated conditions. 

How to Study for Security+: Developing Your Study Plan

Now that you understand the structure and scope of the Security+ exam, it’s time to turn that know-how into a practical plan to keep you organized and moving steadily toward your goal of getting certified. How should you study for Security+? Here are some strategies to consider when drafting your study plan.

Assessing your current knowledge

The first step is to figure out where your current IT knowledge stands today in relation to Security+’s official exam objectives. Start by reviewing these objectives line by line, marking the topics you already know well and identifying your weak areas. Be honest and thorough with this step, because knowing about a concept is not the same as being able to explain or apply it. 

Setting realistic study goals and timelines

Your background will heavily influence how long you need to study. If you have work experience in IT, you might only need four to six weeks of focused study — even less if you already specialize in cybersecurity. However, if you’re starting from scratch, expect to dedicate at least two to three months to building your cybersecurity background before you can even proceed with exam-specific objectives. 

Also take note of how many hours you can dedicate to your exam prep each day. While studying for two straight hours daily is far more effective than sporadic cram sessions, you need to be realistic and make sure that your goals match your availability. 

Creating a structured study schedule

Studying in clear, manageable phases can help you stay on top of your study goals and make it easier to gauge and ensure your progress. 

Phase 1 – Focus on Foundational Topics

• Refresh your knowledge of core networking and security fundamentals.
• If you’re new to IT, dedicate extra time to understanding general concepts before diving into advanced material.
• For quicker reference, create a glossary of essential terminology and frameworks.

Phase 2 – Deep Dive into Exam Domains

• Break the exam objectives into sections and tackle one domain at a time. Make sure you cover all of them during this phase.
• Allocate more hours to areas you’ve identified as your weakest. 
• Use a variety of different study resources.

Phase 3 – Apply Your Knowledge

• Start integrating practice exams into your schedule to measure your progress and identify any knowledge gaps.
• Incorporate hands-on labs or simulation tools to practice applying theory in real-world scenarios.
• Track your progress by logging scores and analyzing missed questions.

Phase 4 – Final Review and Exam Readiness

• Revisit your most challenging topics until you can explain them without notes.
• Refine your test-taking strategies. For example, eliminate wrong answers or flag tough questions for review.
• Focus on building your confidence. By this point, you should aim for accuracy, speed, and steady performance under pressure.

Balancing theory and practical application

When it comes to cybersecurity, you can’t expect to get certified by relying on theoretical knowledge alone. No matter how extensively you’ve read about security concepts, that won’t matter if you’re not successful at applying them to real-life situations.

PBQs were developed specifically for this purpose: to test not only your knowledge in security, but also your ability to leverage it for real-world problems. 

To achieve a healthy balance between theory and practice, integrate hands-on labs into your study routine. Platforms like CompTIA’s own CertMaster Labs give you the chance to work with actual tools and configurations, so you can build your proficiency and confidence for both the Security+ exam and your future job in cybersecurity. 

Essential Study Resources for Security+ Success

With your study plan in place, you can now proceed with stocking up on the right tools. Quality resources can make the difference between struggling through the material and truly mastering it.

Official CompTIA Study Materials

CompTIA offers a slate of tools for anyone wondering how to study for Security+. Its own CertMaster suite is built specifically for candidates of this exam, with each product focusing on a different stage of preparation:

• CertMaster Learn: A self-paced, interactive course covering all exam objectives. It makes use of videos, quizzes, and even live analytics to help you track your progress.
• CertMaster Labs: A browser-based environment with live virtual machines you can use to practice in real-life scenarios. 
• CertMaster Perform: This option combines instructional content, labs, assessments, and practice tests into one all-in-one package.
• CertMaster Practice: Adaptive practice exams that help identify your weak spots and simulate real testing conditions. These resources can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle.

Recommended Textbooks and Study Guides

Getting insights from experts outside CompTIA is also a solid approach to anchor your study throughout the entire process. Here are some popular books you can read to get you ready for the Security+ exam:

• CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers, Bobby Rogers, and Mya Heath: For a comprehensive coverage with end-of-chapter quizzes.
• CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Guide by Ian Neil: For detailed explanations aligned to the latest exam version, plus mock exams and flashcards.
• Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead Study Guide: For concise explanations paired with real-world examples and practice questions to help reinforce what you’ve learned.

Video Courses and Online Training Platforms

How should you study for Security+ if you learn best by watching and listening? Video courses can make complex topics easier to digest. Professor Messer offers a free, complete Security+ video course covering every exam objective, along with study groups and pop quizzes. 

You can also consider paid platforms, which often provide structured, on-demand lessons with interactive elements. Destination Certification offers a self-paced Master Class that adjusts to your experience level and provides you with everything you’ll need to pass the exam, from theoretical concepts to practical applications.

If you prefer something a bit more immersive, we also have a five-day Security+ Bootcamp you can sign up for. Delivered by seasoned certification instructors, you can expect immediate answers to your security questions, comprehensive coverage aligned with the latest exam objectives, clear explanations of complex topics without the risk of oversimplification, and full access to materials, practice questions, and bootcamp recordings.

Practice Exams and Question Banks

To prepare yourself aptly for the actual Security+ exam, it’s essential to test your knowledge regularly, so you can assess your progress and readiness throughout your study. 

Use a mix of the following resources:

• Official CompTIA sample questions and performance-based question demos
• Practice exams from CertMaster Practice or other reputable publishers
• Free online quizzes and community-shared question banks

Give extra attention to PBQs, since they are designed to test your problem-solving skills in simulated or live environments. By having ample practice working through this type of question, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the PBQs on the exam.

Combining official CompTIA materials with trusted third-party guides, video courses, and practice tests gives you a well-rounded preparation strategy. The more angles you approach the material from, the stronger your understanding — and your chances of passing — will be.

Effective Study Techniques for Security+

So, you have your resources lined up. How do you study for Security+ now? The next step is learning to use your resources effectively. Here are proven techniques that can help you understand concepts more deeply.

Active learning strategies

Active learning means engaging with the material instead of just passively reading or listening. Cognitive science shows that the more you interact with content, the stronger your understanding becomes.

Contrary to this, passive study methods, such as rereading chapters, highlighting text, or rewriting notes, often result in a false sense of mastering the material without actually retaining any key information.

Here’s how to study for Security+ through active learning:

• Explain a concept in your own words, either out loud or in writing.
• Create and answer your own questions while reading.
• Connect theories to real-life examples.
• Build concept maps or flowcharts to show how different elements fit together.
• Break down diagrams into parts and explain each section’s role.
• Participate in group discussions or study sessions.
  

For example, if you’re learning about encryption, don’t just memorize the definition. Compare symmetric and asymmetric encryption, explain scenarios where each is used, and walk through a step-by-step example of encrypting and decrypting data.

Spaced repetition and memory techniques

Spaced repetition is a method that boosts recall by reviewing material at increasing intervals. Instead of cramming the night before, you revisit topics just before you’re likely to forget them, helping strengthen your long-term memory.

One practical approach you can use is the 2357 method:

1. Review material the same day you learn it.
2. Review again 2 days later.
3. Review 3 days after that.
4. Then review 5 days later.
5. Finally, review 7 days later.

You can adapt this method to your schedule and the difficulty level of the topics you’re studying. Harder concepts may need shorter gaps in between, while easier ones can be spaced further apart.

Pairing spaced repetition with active recall makes it even more effective. Instead of looking at your notes, try blurting out everything you remember about a topic, then check for gaps or errors. 

Hands-on labs and simulations

How should you study for Security+ if hands-on practice is just as critical as learning the theory? Using virtual labs can greatly improve your engagement and understanding of cybersecurity courses.

Instead of saving labs for the end of your study, aim to complete them alongside your reading. The more you work with real configurations, the faster you’ll recognize patterns and spot solutions during the exam. Make the most out of simulations to test both your knowledge and troubleshooting skills, and don’t hesitate to experiment beyond the lab instructions to see how changes affect systems.

CompTIA CertMaster Labs is a useful platform for practicing system configuration, troubleshooting issues, and running security tests without needing your own hardware.

Group study and discussion forums

Regardless of your own preferences, learning in isolation can limit your perspective. Group study sessions and online forums can expose you to new ways of thinking and help clarify confusing topics, which when preparing for Security+.

Consider joining local study groups or online communities on Reddit, Discord, or Facebook dedicated to CompTIA certifications. You can also take advantage of live Q&A sessions or study streams hosted by certification experts.

Don’t just be a student; try teaching a topic to others as well. Teaching forces you to organize your thoughts in ways you might not otherwise consider, helping to jog your thinking and reveal weak spots. For example, if you struggle to explain a concept clearly, it may be an area that needs more review.

Mastering Key Security+ Concepts

How can you study for Security+ effectively with all the complex concepts you need to go through? Let’s take a look at some strategies you can leverage to make the process more streamlined.

Identifying critical exam topics

Use the official exam objectives to guide how you allocate your study time. Security Operations and Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations typically carry the most exam weight, so plan for repeated, shorter review sessions for these areas.

That said, don’t overlook General Security Topics, since this first domain serves as the scaffolding for all other areas. Make it a habit to revisit them whenever a new topic feels unclear.

Breaking down complex subjects

Break down difficult topics and make them bite-sized by following a consistent template: start with a clear definition, highlight three key principles, introduce one practical command or tool, and finish with a short 20- to 30-minute lab to try applying what you’ve just learned.

For example, when studying Security Architecture, you could begin by defining concepts like segmentation and least privilege. Next, show how they are applied using network access control lists (ACLs), Virtual LAN (VLANs), and identity access management (IAM) systems. Finally, put the theory into practice by running a short lab to build a simple segmented network.

This step-by-step method makes abstract ideas easier to grasp and turn into repeatable actions. It also ties directly to the performance-based questions you practiced earlier with active learning and hands-on labs.

Practical application of security principles

CompTIA rewards not just knowledge but the ability to apply it, so keep this in mind when planning how to study for Security+. 

When learning about encryption theory, for example, don’t just read; try it out. Use a command-line interface or lab environment to generate a key pair and see firsthand how hashing differs from encryption. You can also simulate an incident by collecting logs, identifying indicators of compromise, and drafting a short incident-response checklist.

To make the most of each exercise, pair it with a quick reflection. What worked? Which assumptions didn’t hold up? How would I apply this fix in a real-world environment? These help reinforce your learning and improve your ability to troubleshoot under stress.

Connecting concepts across domains

Seeing how different domains relate to each other is key to applying your skills effectively. One way to do this is by creating a concept map that traces a single control across multiple areas. For example, multifactor authentication shows up in identity and access (Operations), influences authentication architecture (Architecture), and must be justified in policy (Program Management).

By practicing this kind of cross-domain thinking, you’ll be better prepared to answer scenario-based questions on the exam, since you’ll know how controls, detection tools, and governance steps work together.

Exam Preparation Strategies

Healthy study habits can make test day far less intimidating. Here are some tips to reduce your stress and improve your retention while you complete the actual exam.

Time management during study and exams

Learning to manage your time wisely during exam day is critical, since some questions won’t show how much time you have left. Start by reading the entire test and noting how much time each section gets. If you’re wearing a watch, check your progress at planned intervals. Answer questions you know first, then tackle the harder ones for later.

Strategies for different question types

You’ll often benefit from fact recall when answering multiple-choice questions. Use elimination to improve odds, and scan earlier questions for clues that might help with later ones. 

On the other hand, PBQs demand applied skills, so hands-on labs are your best methods for preparation. Practice under timed conditions to simulate the real pressure during exam day and help you manage your pace.

Dealing with test anxiety

Anxiety can derail even the best-prepared candidate, but there are ways to manage it. First, maintain a steady routine in the weeks before your exam. Get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, and exercise regularly to ensure that you’re in tiptop shape during exam day. 

Avoid last-minute all-nighters and excess caffeine, sugar, nicotine, or anything that spikes jitters. Rest well the night before and arrive at the exam site a few minutes early. If possible, steer clear of anxious chatter from other test-takers. 

Final review techniques

Dedicate the last week to polishing, not overhauling your entire process. Leverage the same strategies we’ve discussed earlier:

• Use spaced repetition to review your weak areas.
• Create an index of key concepts and run through it daily.
• Engage in peer teaching, explaining concepts in your own words. 

Lastly, finish your prep with a positive mindset, and maybe even plan a reward for yourself when it’s over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more practical questions on how to study for Security+ and prepare yourself? Here, we address some of the most common queries from candidates.

Conclusion

The path to certification is built not just on consistent study, but also on actively engaging with cybersecurity concepts, applying knowledge through hands-on practice, and testing yourself regularly to track your progress. Throughout your journey, remember the strategies we’ve covered. Each of these habits strengthens your understanding and builds the confidence you’ll need on exam day.

Ultimately, your goal isn’t only to pass the Security+ exam, but rather to start thinking like a real security professional. Destination Certification is here to make that process easier.

Choose between our self-paced Master Class or our five-day immersive Bootcamp — both designed by certification experts to streamline your learning and prepare you not just for the exam, but also for a full-time career in the field. With the right guidance and resources from our team, you’ll step into the exam center fully prepared, knowing you have everything you need to earn your certification.