How long does it take to get CompTIA Security+?

CompTIA Security+ preparation time depends on your existing IT knowledge. Cybersecurity fundamentals build on networking and operating system concepts. According to CompTIA (2024), candidates with Network+ or equivalent experience typically need 2 to 3 months of focused study. Those starting from scratch should budget 4 to 6 months to first build foundational IT knowledge.

The SY0-701 exam covers six domains: general security concepts (12%), threats/vulnerabilities/mitigations (22%), security architecture (18%), security operations (28%), and security program management (20%). Security operations carries the heaviest weight, so prioritize SIEM concepts, incident response procedures, and monitoring techniques during your study.

Recommended study approach: weeks 1 through 4 covering domains with video content (Professor Messer's free series or Jason Dion's Udemy course). Weeks 5 through 8 reading the official CompTIA study guide and taking notes. Weeks 9 through 12 taking practice exams and reviewing weak areas. Schedule the exam only after consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests.

The exam costs $404 as of April 2026, is 90 minutes long, and contains up to 90 questions (multiple choice and performance-based). The passing score is 750 out of 900. Security+ is valid for 3 years and can be renewed through continuing education credits. DecipherU's certification study guides include week-by-week plans, practice question analysis, and performance benchmarks to keep your preparation on track.