ReadRoost ResearchEditorial
1-2 monthsDifficulty: 6/10No IT experience
Based on 12 pass reports
- Study time range: 3 weeks to 3 months
- Most common: 6-8 weeks at 1-3 hours/day
- Consensus: Moderately challenging — no one called it easy
- Avg reported score: 790
Resources Used
Free
Professor Messer's SY0-701 Security+ Course (YouTube, free, 121+ videos)Video Course
The undisputed king — used by 10/12 passers (83%)
Paid
Jason Dion — CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Complete Course (~31hrs)Video Course
Top paid supplement — 5/12 passers, $12-15 on sale
Paid
Jason Dion's SY0-701 Practice Exams (6-12 exams)Practice Exam
Most popular practice tests — 3/12 passers
Free
ExamCompass — Free topic-specific Security+ testsPractice Exam
Best free practice option — 3/12 passers
Paid
Professor Messer's Practice Exams ($25, three 90-question exams)Practice Exam
Described as 'closest to the real exam' — 2/12 passers
Paid
CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: Exam SY0-701 (Sybex, 9th Ed.) — Chapple & SeidlBook
Top study guide — 3/12 passers
Free
CompTIA SY0-701 Exam Objectives PDF (free)Official Training
Everyone's study checklist — cited by ~8/12 passers
Free
Cyberkraft's Security+ PBQ PlaylistVideo Course
Critical for performance-based questions — 3/12 passers
Tips
Skip PBQs first, do all multiple-choice, then return to PBQs. Memorize ports, protocols, and acronyms from Day 1. Book the exam date early for accountability. The right answers align with how CompTIA frames their objectives, not what sounds tech-smart. Watch for keywords like 'best,' 'first,' 'immediately,' and 'prevent.'