Security+ Pass Rate 2026: Why There Is No Official Number

CompTIA does not publish pass rates for any certification, including Security+. Nobody outside CompTIA knows how many people pass SY0-701 on the first try, and every number you find online is an estimate from a training vendor, a forum poll or a guess. What you can measure is your own readiness, and the first step is a free Security+ practice test on questions you haven't seen before.

Below: what CompTIA does and doesn't publish, how many people fail (as far as anyone can tell), why your practice score overstates readiness, and what to do if you're studying on your own. (Deciding between SY0-701 and the next version? Here is what we know about SY0-801.)

Here is what CompTIA publishes and what it keeps private:

What Is the CompTIA Security+ Pass Rate?

There is no official one. CompTIA does not publish pass rates for Security+ or for any of its other certifications, for the current SY0-701 exam or for older versions like SY0-601. Its exam pages list the format and the passing score, and its help center says it doesn't even disclose how many questions you need to answer correctly ^[2].

So where do the percentages online come from? Mostly three places:

• Training vendors reporting their own students' results. These are self-selected (people who finished a paid course) and rarely come with a method.
• Forum and Reddit polls. People who pass post about it far more than people who fail, so these skew high.
• Copied numbers. Many articles repeat a figure from another article that never had a source.

None of that makes Security+ impossible or easy. It means a pass-rate number can't tell you whether you'll pass. Your own performance on fresh practice questions can.

How many people fail Security+?

Nobody outside CompTIA knows. CompTIA publishes neither pass nor fail counts, so any claim that a specific share of candidates fails Security+ is an estimate, usually from a vendor or a forum poll. What is known: people do fail it, the exam is scenario-heavy, and the difficulty depends a lot on your background.

If you fail, the rules are clear. CompTIA requires no waiting period between your first and second attempt, then at least 14 calendar days before each attempt after that, and every attempt is paid at full price ^[3]. Your score report lists the exam objectives tied to the questions you missed, which tells you where to focus before a retake.

Why Doesn't CompTIA Publish Official Pass Rates?

CompTIA hasn't explained it publicly. These are the likely reasons, not official ones:

Preventing Complacency

A published pass rate invites the wrong conclusion. A high number makes the exam sound easy and people under-prepare; a low one scares off candidates who would have passed.

Maintaining Certification Value

The certification's reputation rests on the exam itself. Employers trust Security+ because it tests real knowledge, and a headline statistic adds little to that.

Exam Version Variations

Results can shift when a new version launches, as SY0-701 did in November 2023 ^[1], while study materials catch up to new objectives. Publishing those swings could confuse more than it helps.

What Is the Security+ First-Attempt Pass Rate?

Also unpublished. CompTIA doesn't separate first attempts from retakes in anything it releases, so first-attempt figures online are estimates too. The better question is whether you are ready on your first attempt, and that's what the rest of this guide covers.

Understanding the Passing Score

You need 750 on a 100-900 scale to pass. That is a scaled score, not a straight percentage. How the scaling works, what CompTIA does and doesn't disclose, and what your score report shows are covered in the Security+ passing score guide. For how the exam's difficulty breaks down by background, see how hard Security+ really is.

First Attempt vs. Retake

There's no official data on retake results either. A retake does come with one advantage: your score report points to the objectives you missed, so your second round of study can be narrower than your first.

What Factors Affect Your Chances of Passing Security+?

Prior IT experience, total study hours, study material quality, how you study, and PBQ preparation all matter. Here is how each one plays in:

1. Prior IT Experience

CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years in a security or systems administrator role ^[1]. With that background, much of the exam is familiar ground. Without it, you're learning networking and security at the same time.

This doesn't mean you can't pass without experience. It means you'll need more study time and more hands-on practice to make up for it.

2. Total Study Time Invested

Most people who pass report studying 2-3 months, 1-2 hours a day, which lands around 80-120 hours of focused preparation. Career changers usually need more.

3. Quality of Study Materials

Not all study resources are created equal. Make sure what you use covers the current SY0-701 objectives rather than the retired SY0-601 ones. If you're still sizing up the exam, start with the Security+ certification guide: cost, difficulty and the five domains.

Essential study materials include:

• Official CompTIA study guides or reputable third-party books
• Video courses covering all five exam domains
• Hands-on labs and simulations
• Practice exams (more on this below - it's crucial)
• Flashcards for memorization-heavy topics

4. Learning Methodology

How you study matters as much as how long you study:

• Passive reading only: lower retention
• Active learning (labs, practice): higher retention
• Spaced repetition: much better long-term retention
• Teaching others/study groups: better understanding and recall

5. Performance-Based Question Preparation

PBQs (Performance-Based Questions) trip up many candidates. These simulation-style questions test practical skills and can't be passed through memorization alone.

Get that preparation free: the interactive Security+ PBQ simulator covers the three real SY0-701 interaction formats in about ten minutes.

How Can You Improve Your Chances of Passing Security+?

Create a structured study plan, use more than one learning resource, take practice exams on fresh questions, focus on understanding over memorization, and join a study community:

1. Create a Structured Study Plan

Don't just "study when you have time." Create a specific plan covering all five exam domains:

• General Security Concepts (12%): 1-2 weeks
• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%): 2-3 weeks
• Security Architecture (18%): 2 weeks
• Security Operations (28%): 3 weeks
• Security Program Management and Oversight (20%): 2 weeks

2. Use Multiple Learning Resources

Different resources explain concepts in different ways. Using multiple sources helps solidify understanding:

• Primary textbook or study guide
• Video course for visual learning
• Practice exams for application
• Flashcards for memorization
• Labs for hands-on experience

3. Master the Art of Practice Exams

This deserves its own section below. Practice exams are the most useful tool you have, as long as you read the score honestly.

4. Focus on Understanding, Not Memorization

Security+ tests your ability to apply concepts, not just recall facts. When studying, always ask:

• Why does this security control exist?
• What problem does this solution solve?
• When would I use this approach vs. alternatives?
• How does this concept connect to others?

5. Join a Study Community

Study groups and online communities help in practical ways:

• Accountability and motivation
• Different perspectives on difficult topics
• Tips from those who recently passed
• Answers to specific questions

Reddit's r/CompTIA community and various Discord servers are excellent free resources.

What Is the Best Study Plan for Passing Security+?

An 8-12 week plan with daily study sessions, split across content learning (50%), practice questions (30%), hands-on labs (15%), and flashcard review (5%), works for most people. Here is the approach:

Recommended Study Timeline: 8-12 Weeks

Weeks 1-2: Foundation Building

• Review exam objectives thoroughly
• Take a baseline practice exam to identify weak areas
• Begin with Domain 1 (General Security Concepts)
• Start building flashcard deck for key terms

Weeks 3-6: Core Content Coverage

• Work through Domains 2-4 systematically
• Complete 25-50 practice questions daily
• Take notes on concepts you struggle with
• Begin hands-on labs for technical topics

Weeks 7-8: Domain 5 and Review

• Complete Domain 5 (Governance, Risk, Compliance)
• Review all domains with focus on weak areas
• Increase practice exam frequency
• Practice PBQ-style questions

Weeks 9-10: Practice Exam Focus

• Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions
• Target consistent scores of 85%+ on questions you haven't seen before scheduling the real exam
• Analyze every wrong answer thoroughly
• Fill remaining knowledge gaps

Weeks 11-12: Final Preparation

• Light review of all domains
• Focus on high-weighted domains (Operations at 28%, Threats at 22%)
• Review exam-day procedures
• Rest well before exam day

Daily Study Routine That Works

Successful candidates often follow this pattern:

• Morning (30-45 min): Review flashcards and previous day's notes
• Afternoon/Evening (60-90 min): New content study (videos, reading)
• Before bed (20-30 min): Practice questions on day's topics

Why your practice score overstates readiness

Your practice score counts every question you answer, including the ones you've seen before, and repeats are much easier. In SecuSpark practice battles, the same learners answering the same Security+ questions got 73.5% right the first time and 90.5% right the second time. The median gap between the two looks was about 56 minutes, across 9,271 learner-question pairs from 247 learners.

Missed questions show it most clearly. When a learner missed a question and met it again soon after (median gap about 5 minutes), with no flashcard in between, they got it right 87.9% of the time. Our battles reveal the right answer after a miss, so most of that is memory of the answer they were just shown. The real exam won't show you its questions twice.

Accuracy by sighting, across all our Security+ learners:

Learners mostly make flashcards for questions they got wrong, so the flashcard column starts from harder questions and spaced-out reviews. Don't read it as flashcards hurting.

What to do about it: judge your readiness on questions you haven't seen, such as a fresh practice exam from another source or your first pass through a new set. Treat a score on a set you've already taken as a memory check, not a readiness check.

Method: answers in won SecuSpark practice battles on third-party-sourced Security+ practice sets, first sight only (a learner's first answer to a question, with no earlier flashcard for it). 30,091 first-sight answers from 344 learners, March 13, 2026 to September 25, 2026. 107 questions with answer keys under audit are held out. This is accuracy on SecuSpark practice questions, not a CompTIA exam score and not a prediction of whether you will pass. Repeat figures compare the same learner on the same question; "flashcard" means one existed 10+ minutes before that battle.

How Should You Use Practice Exams?

Practice exams are the best preparation tool you have, as long as you read the score honestly. They build recall, find gaps and take the edge off test anxiety. If you have not benchmarked yet, test your readiness with a free Sec+ practice exam before you decide how much more study time to budget.

Why Practice Exams Work So Well

Practice exams help in several ways:

1. Identify Knowledge Gaps

You don't know what you don't know until you're tested. Practice exams reveal blind spots that reading alone won't uncover.

2. Build Test-Taking Stamina

Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes is mentally exhausting. Practice exams build the endurance you need to maintain focus throughout.

3. Learn Question Patterns

CompTIA has characteristic question styles. Practice exams help you recognize patterns like "best answer" questions where multiple options seem correct.

4. Reduce Test Anxiety

Familiarity breeds confidence. The more practice exams you take, the less stressful the real exam feels.

5. Reinforce Learning Through Retrieval

Psychologically, retrieving information (via questions) creates stronger memories than passive review. This is called the "testing effect" and it's one of the most robust findings in learning science.

How to Use Practice Exams Effectively

Not all practice exam approaches are equal. Here's the method we recommend:

1. Take baseline exam first: Before studying, take a practice exam to identify starting point
2. Study, then test: After covering each domain, take domain-specific practice questions
3. Review every answer: Including correct ones - understand WHY each answer is right or wrong
4. Track progress: Monitor scores over time to ensure improvement
5. Simulate real conditions: Timed, no notes, no breaks for final practice exams
6. Don't memorize questions: Understand concepts so you can handle variations

When You're Ready to Schedule

Schedule your real exam when you meet these criteria:

• Consistently scoring 85%+ on practice questions you haven't seen before
• No single domain below 75%
• Comfortable with performance-based question format
• Can complete full practice exam with 10+ minutes to spare

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an official Security+ pass rate?

No. CompTIA does not release pass rates for any certification. Any percentage you see, first-attempt or overall, is an estimate from a training vendor, a forum poll or another article.

What score do I need to pass Security+ SY0-701?

750 on CompTIA's 100-900 scale. It is a scaled score, not a percentage. The scaling, what CompTIA discloses and the score report walkthrough live in the Security+ passing score guide.

Are PBQs the main reason people fail?

Nobody has the data to say, but PBQs come up constantly in exam-day reports on r/CompTIA and exam forums. They test hands-on skills like configuring firewall rules or analyzing logs, and you can't memorize your way through them, so practice them specifically.

If I fail, how soon can I retake the exam?

Right away for your second attempt: CompTIA requires no waiting period between the first and second try. Before a third or later attempt you must wait at least 14 calendar days, and each attempt costs a full exam fee ^[3].

Can You Pass Security+ on Your First Attempt?

Yes, people do it all the time. There's no official pass rate to tell you your odds, so your preparation and an honest read of your practice scores are what you have to go on.

The key takeaways:

• Passing score: 750 on a 100-900 scale (scaled, not a percentage)
• Study time: Plan for 80-120 hours minimum
• Practice exams: The most useful preparation tool, scored on fresh questions
• Score target: 85%+ on practice questions you haven't seen before testing
• Focus areas: Security Operations (28%) and Threats (22%) are heavily weighted

Don't let pass-rate numbers you can't verify rattle you. With dedicated preparation, good study materials and honest practice exam work, you can walk into test day ready.

The fastest way to find out where you stand right now is to take a free Security+ quiz — no signup, no email, just an honest score.

Related Guides

• How hard is Security+? — difficulty by background, plus the topics SecuSpark learners miss most
• Pass Security+ in 30 days — day-by-day study schedule with alternate timelines
• 7 study methods ranked by retention — choose the right approach for your learning style
• Free Security+ practice exams for 2026 — 1,808 questions to test your readiness
• Take a free Security+ practice test now — start a free practice exam instantly

References

1. CompTIA. "Security+ (V7) exam details, SY0-701." comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/v7. Maximum of 90 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 750 on a scale of 100-900, launch date November 7, 2023, recommended experience. Accessed September 25, 2026.
2. CompTIA Help Center. "How Are CompTIA Exams Scored?" help.comptia.org. Scaled scoring; CompTIA does not disclose the number of questions required to pass; the score report lists the exam objectives tied to missed questions. Accessed September 25, 2026.
3. CompTIA. "CompTIA Certification Retake Policy." comptia.org. No waiting period between the first and second attempt; at least 14 calendar days before any later attempt; every attempt is paid. Accessed September 25, 2026.