How Hard Is the Security+ Exam

If you’re asking how hard is the security+ exam, the honest answer is: it’s moderately hard—often described as intermediate difficulty. It’s not “push-the-button and pass” easy, but it also isn’t usually treated like an expert-only test. You still need to score high enough to reach the pass line: 750 out of 900 on a 100–900 scale.

How difficult is the Security+ cert?

Most people run into two realities right away:

1. Security+ expects real understanding, not just memorizing buzzwords.

The exam tests how concepts fit together—like why a control helps, what a risk looks like, and how common attacks or defenses work.

1. The difficulty level is “intermediate,” so it’s harder than entry-level certs.

Security+ is often described as moderately challenging and intermediate, which lines up with what you’ll feel when you hit scenario questions—where you have to decide what makes the most sense next.

There’s also what tends to happen on first attempts. The provided research notes that first-time, non-classroom-trained candidates have a failure rate, but it doesn’t give the percentage. So it’s worth planning like not everyone who shows up passes.

A good rule of thumb: Security+ is challenging enough that preparation matters, but it’s also built so that people who study with a solid plan and understand the fundamentals can pass.

What kind of student usually struggles?

You’ll likely feel the exam is “hard” if you:

• skim topics without doing practice questions
• treat it like a vocab test instead of a problem-solving test
• don’t spend time connecting networking concepts to security ideas

What kind of student usually does well?

You’re more likely to find it manageable if you:

• build a steady study routine (not one big cram)
• practice with questions that force you to choose the best answer
• review what you miss until you understand the “why”

How hard is Security+ 701 compared to other versions?

If you’re asking specifically how hard is Security+ 701, the most grounded takeaway is that version-to-version comparisons depend on the exact exam objectives and how the content has been updated—not just the number on the version.

From the research you have:

• Security+ is described as moderately hard / intermediate.
• The exam uses a 100–900 scoring scale with a 750 passing target.

So even if the version changes, the main difficulty drivers tend to be the same:

• how solid your security fundamentals are
• whether you can apply concepts to scenario-style questions
• how well you prepare for the question style tied to the version you’re taking

If you’re choosing between versions, the safest approach is to use study materials that match the version you plan to take and focus on meeting the objectives—not just studying “Security+” in general.

What is the pass rate of Security+?

You asked what is the pass rate of Security+, but there’s an important limitation: the research provided for this task does not include a specific pass-rate percentage. It only says that first-time, non-classroom-trained candidates have a failure rate, and again, no number is given.

So what can you use instead?

Use the pass score as your reality check

Security+ uses pass/fail based on a scaled score:

• Passing score: 750
• Score scale: 100–900

In other words, the exam is designed to measure enough mastery across the domains, not just a few lucky topics.

Why pass-rate numbers can mislead

Even when pass-rate data is available, it can hide differences like:

• whether people studied seriously or rushed at the end
• whether they had classroom training
• how closely the exam matched what they practiced

For that reason, your prep should be guided by the 750/900 target instead of trying to guess whether “most people” pass.

What passing score do you need (and what that implies)?

You need 750 out of 900 to pass Security+.

A few practical takeaways:

• It’s not “barely right” territory. You need to be solid across a range of topics.
• Because the exam is scored on a 100–900 scale, you can’t treat it like a simple percentage you can eyeball.
• Your goal should be consistency, not just knowing a couple favorite sections.

If you want a simple way to think about it: passing means you can show you understand the security basics well enough to make good decisions across the exam’s full scope.

Can you pass Security+ in a week?

This comes up a lot in PAA questions: can you pass Security+ in a week?

The research provided here doesn’t include any success rate for a “one week” timeline, so there’s no way to promise results. What we can do is connect it to what we know:

• the exam is moderately hard / intermediate
• you must hit 750/900
• first-time, non-classroom-trained candidates can have a failure rate, which is a warning sign that rushing can backfire

So here’s what makes a one-week plan more realistic.

When “one week” is more plausible

• you already have strong networking and security fundamentals
• you can dedicate meaningful study time each day
• you’re using practice questions and reviewing explanations, not just reading notes

When “one week” is a gamble

• you’re starting from scratch
• you don’t have time for hands-on learning or consistent practice
• you’re relying mostly on memorizing instead of understanding and applying

If you want to test the idea in a week, a smart first step is a quick baseline check: take some practice questions early and see whether your scores trend toward what you need to clear 750/900.

Can I get a job with just Security+?

You’re not the only one asking if Security+ alone is enough to get hired.

Based on what’s provided, there aren’t job-outcome numbers or guarantees. But you can say this: Security+ is a recognized credential, and it typically signals that you have baseline security knowledge.

In practical terms:

• it may help you qualify for roles that expect basic security understanding
• it often works best alongside experience, projects, or entry-level IT work

If you’re deciding whether to take it, think of Security+ as something that can improve your odds, not a magic switch. Pair it with what you’re doing alongside it, such as hands-on practice, labs, or a job-target plan.

Is the CompTIA Security+ exam proctored?

Another PAA question: is the CompTIA Security+ exam proctored?

The research you provided doesn’t include proctoring details, such as whether it’s monitored online or only at a testing center. So the setup can’t be confirmed from the material here.

What you should do before you schedule:

• check the testing options shown for your exam date and center
• read the exam delivery notes, since those usually spell out monitoring rules

If you tell me whether you’re planning to take it at a testing center or remotely, I can help you figure out what to look for in the scheduling info.

Is CompTIA Security+ harder than Network+?

You asked: is CompTIA Security+ harder than Network+?

The research provided doesn’t give a direct comparison of difficulty between the two exams, so it’s not possible to claim a specific ranking like “Security+ is X% harder.”

What you can rely on from the facts you have:

• Security+ is described as moderately hard / intermediate.
• You still need 750 out of 900 to pass.

If you’re trying to figure out which one is harder for you personally, compare where you’re strongest:

• if your networking basics are weak, Network+-style material may feel like the tougher starting point
• if you already understand networking and you’re moving into security concepts and scenario-based questions, Security+ may be the step that feels hardest

The most reliable approach is to start doing practice questions for both and see which one matches your current level. That usually tells you more than general internet opinions.

If you’re planning your study timeline, use the passing-score target (750/900) to judge what’s realistic, then decide on next steps based on whether your practice scores stay close to that target.