How to Ace the CompTIA Security+ Exam (SY0-601) in 2023

By Alex • Updated Jan 15, 2023

Overview | Exam Guide | Courses | Practice Exams

Are you looking to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification? If so, you're in luck! In this blog post, we will outline the steps that you need to take in order to ace the Security+ exam (SY0-601).

We'll provide tips on how to study for the exam and what to expect on test day. So whether you're just starting out on your studying journey or are nearing the finish line, this guide will help you get there!

Step 1: Create a study plan

The first step to preparing for the Security+ exam is to create a study plan. This may seem unnecessary at first, but making a plan will ensure you pass the exam with the least amount of study time possible. It will also give you peace of mind during the entire process.

According to Springboard, you can pass the exam with around 60 hours of total study time.

With that in mind we created a study plan that you can copy and use for yourself:

Keep in mind that amount of days you need to prepare for the exam depends on how many hours you can study per day.

We recommend planning for anywhere between 8 days (8 hours of studying per day) to 2 months (1 hour of studying per day) before taking the exam.

The easiest way to make sure you stay on track is to create a recurring study blocker in your calendar.

Step 2: Get to know the exam syllabus

The next step is to familiarize yourself with the exam syllabus. This will help you understand what topics you need to focus on when studying.

The core domains that are covered in the Security+ exam are:

More details on the individual domains can be found in the official CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam Objectives guide.

If you are a visual learner we highly recommend creating a mind-map of the syllabus and annotating it while you’re learning the core concepts in step 4.

Step 3: Understand the exam format

Early in your study journey, you should understand the exam format so that you can study accordingly.

The latest Security+ exam (SY0-601) has the following format:

• Exam duration: 90 minutes
• Number of questions: Maximum of 90 questions
• Question format: Multiple choice and performance-based
• Minimum passing score: 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
• Exam languages: English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Portuguese
• Testing providers: Pearson VUE

More details on the exam format can be found on the official certification page.

Step 4: Study the core concepts

Once you know what topics are covered on the exam and what the format is, it's time to start studying. This is where you should spend most of your preparation time.

There are a lot of great resources available to help you learn the material:

On-demand courses

On-demand courses are a great way to learn the concepts covered in the exam. Many of these courses are taught by experienced instructors who can help you understand the material.

Our top 5 picks for the best CompTIA Security+ courses are:

1. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) Complete Course & Exam by Jason Dion (Udemy)
2. SY0-601 CompTIA Security+ Course (Professor Messer)
3. CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601) by Total Seminars (Udemy)
4. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) by Christopher Rees (Pluralsight)
5. Security+ (SY0-601) Online Training by Keith Barker (CBT Nuggets)

You can read the full in-depth analysis of all of the best courses here.

Live classes

Live classes are another option for studying the concepts. These courses are typically more expensive than on-demand courses, but they offer the benefit of live interaction with an instructor.

CompTIA offers online instructor-led training for the Security+ exam. More details can be found here.

Books

Books are another popular study option. We recommend searching Amazon for the top-rated book on this certification. Just make sure that they are up to date with the latest exam version.

Another option is the official SY0-601 study guide directly from CompTIA:

Security+ (SY0-601) Certification Study Guide | CompTIA IT Certifications

The Official CompTIA Security+ Study Guide (SY0-601) has been developed by CompTIA for the CompTIA certification candidate. Rigorously evaluated by third party subject matter experts to validate adequate coverage of the Security+ exam objectives, the Official CompTIA Security+ Study Guide teaches the essential skills and information required for the CompTIA certification exam (SY0-601).

www.comptia.org

Irrespective of which study options you chose, make sure you understand all of the concepts and how they apply to real-world situations.

Step 5: Take mock exams

After you have studied the concepts, it is time to take some practice exams.

This will help you gauge your understanding of the material and identify any areas where you need more study. Practice exams will also help you get used to the question format on the exam.

There are many different practice exams available online.

Our top 4 picks for the best practice exams are:

1. Free Security+ (SY0-601) Practice Questions (CompTIA)
2. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) Practice Exams by Jason Dion (Udemy)
3. CompTIA Security+ Cert (SY0-601) Practice Tests by Total Seminars (Udemy)
4. CertMaster Practice for Security+ SY0-601 (CompTIA)

You can read the full in-depth analysis of all of these practice exams here.

If you answer incorrectly during a practice exam, mark the question and the answer for later review.

We also recommend creating an error log where you list all of your mistakes and the correct answer.

If you notice that you are lacking in one of the core concepts, go back to the study resource you used in step 4 and make sure to fill the gaps.

It’s very important that you don’t just memorize but understand the concepts.

Step 6: Prepare for exam day logistics

The day of the exam can be nerve-wracking. To avoid any unpleasant surprises make sure to prepare for exam day logistics.

First of all, you should get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Below are some additional tips depending on if you are taking the exam online or in a test center.

Online exam

• Review your program’s test policies including which IDs are accepted
• Make sure you have the right computer equipment
• Run a system test e.g. via the Pearson VUE online testing page
• Prepare your testing space
• Familiarize yourself with the online check-in process

You can find additional tips and explanations in the official Pearson VUE online exam guide.

Test center

• Research the required documents
• Dress comfortably
• Bring earplugs
• Plan to arrive early
• Familiarize yourself with the check-in process

Check out the official Pearson VUE website for more tips.

Now that you know how to prepare for the Security+ exam, it's time to get started! Good luck!