How to Pass CompTIA Security+ in 60 Days: A Complete Study Plan

MAR 19, 2026

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8 MIN READ

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CompTIA

How to Pass CompTIA Security+ in 60 Days

Security+

CompTIA

Exam Prep

SY0-701


The CompTIA Security+ is the most recognised entry-level cybersecurity certification in the world. Employers love it, governments require it (it meets DoD 8570 requirements), and it opens doors into SOC analyst, security admin, and IT security roles.

// Pro Tip

Most people fail because they study the wrong way, not because the content is too hard. This guide gives you a proven 60-day plan that works.

The 60-Day Study Plan

Week 1–2: Foundations

Get the lay of the land. Read through the exam objectives document (free from CompTIA’s website). Use Professor Messer’s free video course to build a mental map of all five domains. Don’t memorise yet — just understand the structure.

Week 3–4: Deep Study by Domain

Work through each domain systematically. For each topic: watch a video, read the corresponding chapter in your study guide, then do 20 practice questions on that topic. Don’t move on until you’re scoring 75%+ per topic.

Week 5–6: Practice Exams

Now hammer practice exams. Aim for 3–5 full practice exams per week. Review every wrong answer. Keep a “mistakes notebook” for terms and concepts you keep missing.

Week 7–8: Review & Simulate

Simulate exam conditions: 90 minutes, timed, no notes, quiet room. Target 85%+ on practice exams before booking the real thing.

Recommended Resources

Videos

Professor Messer (free) — Best structured overview of all domains
Mike Chapple on LinkedIn Learning — Deep explanations with practice tests


Practice Tests

Jason Dion on Udemy — Mirrors real exam difficulty, highly recommended
CompTIA CertMaster Practice — Official adaptive practice platform


Labs

TryHackMe — Pre-Security + SOC Level 1 paths are excellent companions

Got questions about the Security+ or want a deeper breakdown of any domain? Drop a comment below or use the contact page. More cert guides coming soon — CISSP, CySA+, and AWS Security Specialty are next.