Info on the Security+ (SY0-401) exam is available here.
CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates competency in:
- Network security
- Compliance and operational security
- Threats and vulnerabilities
- Application, data and host security
- Access control and identity management
- Cryptography
CompTIA Security+ not only ensures that candidates will apply knowledge of security concepts, tools, and procedures to react to security incidents, it ensures that security personnel are anticipating security risks and guarding against them.
Candidate job roles include security architect, security engineer, security consultant/specialist, information assurance technician, security administrator, systems administrator, and network administrator. Organizations that employ CompTIA Security+ certified staff include Hitachi Information Systems (Japan), Trendmicro (Philippines), Lockheed Martin, the U.S. State Department, Prestariang Systems Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia) and U.S. government contractors such as EDS, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.
CompTIA Security+ is one of the options for certifications required by the U.S. Department of Defense, for military personnel or military contractors engaged in information assurance activities.
Security+ Practice Test Questions
Security+ Practice Test Questions
Full bank of 550 realistic practice test questions with in-depth explanations. All questions include explanations so you'll know why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way no matter how CompTIA words the questions, you'll be able to answer them correctly. These questions are from the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide
Multiple quiz formats to let you use these questions based on the way you learn.
- Learn mode - randomized. View each of the questions in random order. Learn mode allows you to keep selecting answers until you select the correct answer. Once you select the correct answer, you'll see the explanation. Click here to see how learn mode works.
- Learn mode - not randomized. View each of the questions in the same order. Use this if you want to make sure that you see all of the questions. Learn mode allows you to keep selecting answers until you select the correct answer. Once you select the correct answer, you'll see the explanation. Click here to see how learn mode works.
- Test mode - randomized. View each of the questions in random order. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test. Click here to see how test mode works.
- Test mode - not randomized.View each of the questions in the same order. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test. Click here to see how test mode works.
- Test mode - 100 random questions. View 100 random questions from the full test bank similar to how the Security+ exam has a potential maximum of 100 multiple choice questions. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test. Click here to see how test mode works.
Now Available - Simulated Performance Based Questions
Bonus - Performance Based Questions
Additional Security+ questions to help you prepare for the new performance based questions. These are included with the full bank of Security+ practice test questions and are divided into different sections. For example, you'll have access to the following links:
- Performance Based Question - Set 1
You'll see a graphic explaining what you might be required to do on the actual exam to match different types of security to mobile devices and servers in a data center. You'll then have two questions that test your knowledge and ability to correctly answer the questions. This question also includes a link to a graphic showing the end solution for the overall performance based question simulation.
- Performance Based Question - Set 2
You'll see a graphic explaining what you might be required to do on the actual exam to match different types of attacks with the name of the attack type. You'll then have five questions that test your knowledge and ability to correctly answer the questions. This question also includes a link to a graphic showing the end solution for the overall performance based question simulation.
- Performance Based Question - Set 3
You'll see a graphic showing a network with computers and servers separated by a firewall. The firewall is used to control traffic between the computers and users using rules within an access control list (ACL). You'll have three questions that test your knowledge and ability to correctly identify the relevant components of the rule. The incorrect answers and explanation provide you with insight into how to correctly answer this type of question on the actual exam.
- Performance Based Question - Set 4
You'll see a graphic explaining what you might be required to do on the actual exam related to what a forensic analyst would do during an investigation. You'll then have two questions that test your knowledge and ability to correctly answer the questions. This question also includes a link to a graphic showing the end solution for the overall performance based question simulation.
- Performance Based Question - Set 5
You'll see a graphic explaining what you might be required to do on the actual exam to match protocols and ports. You'll then have seven questions that test your knowledge and ability to correctly answer the questions. This question also includes a link to a graphic showing the end solution for the overall performance based question simulation.
CompTIA Security+ SY0-301 Exam Details
| Number of Questions: | Maximum of 100 |
| Question types: | Multiple choice and performance based |
| Time to complete exam: | 90 minutes |
| Passing score: | 750 (on a scale of 100 to 900) |
| Price: | $266 Discounted vouchers available here |
| Study Guide: | CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide |
| Practice Test Questions | CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead- SY0-301 Practice Test Questions |
Since CompTIA began adding in the new performance based questions, they rarely give you 100 questions. Instead, you can expect to get somewhere between 70 and 90 multiple choice questions and between three and ten performance based questions.
You need a score of 750 to pass. However, because the score is on a sliding scale between 100 and 900, it doesn't work out to an exact percentage.
A score of 750 equates to about 84% percent
A voucher is just a string of numbers and/or letters. You can buy vouchers over the Internet and provide it when you register for the exam. Careful though. Some scammers have sold bogus vouchers on the Internet through sources such as eBay. Legitimate people sell them there too though.
The objectives are included in the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide. You can also download them from here. CompTIA requires you to fill out a form but you don't need to include real information. You'll have access to the objectives immediately.
You can also download the pdf file directly here.
Security+ Domains (Objectives)
| Domain | % of Examination |
| 1.0 Network Security | 21% |
| 2.0 Compliance and Operational Security | 18% |
| 3.0 Threats and Vulnerabilities | 21% |
| 4.0 Application, Data and Host Security | 16% |
| 5.0 Access Control and Identity Management | 13% |
| 6.0 Cryptography | 11% |