What Is the Current Security Exam

If you’ve been Googling what is the current security exam, the answer is straightforward: the live version right now is Security+ 701 (SY0-701). The part that trips people up isn’t what Security+ is, it’s making sure you’re studying the right version code, since older exams get retired and newer ones replace them.

Current Security Exam: Security+ 701 (SY0-701)

Right now, the Security+ certification exam you should look for is:

• Security+ 701
• Exam code: SY0-701

This is the newest “current” test in the Security+ lineup. It started on November 7, 2023, and it’s described as being valid for about 3 years, which is why so many people are still studying it even though what’s next is already on the horizon.

If you need the passing requirement too: the passing score is 750 out of 900.

What Changed: Security+ 601 Retired and What Replaced It

Security+ exams don’t stay the “current” version forever. The previous exam was Security+ 601.

The key timeline points are:

• Security+ 601 is retired as of the end of July 2024
• After that, Security+ 701 (SY0-701) became the version most people should study

So if you were ever told to take Security+ 601, that was the older track. Since it’s retired, it won’t line up with what you’d be preparing for today. That’s why you’ll keep seeing SY0-701 come up whenever people ask what’s current.

Security+ Version Timing: V8 Expected Around Nov 17, 2026

Once you know the current exam code (SY0-701), the next question is usually: *what comes after it?*

The next version in the line is Security+ V8. Release info people are pointing to includes:

• Security+ V8 is expected to launch on or around November 17, 2026
• SY0-801 is also mentioned as the coming exam code

The main takeaway: SY0-701 is current now, but you should expect a shift toward V8 / SY0-801 around late 2026.

How Long Will Security+ 701 Last?

When people talk about timing, you’ll see two different “end points,” and it helps to keep them straight.

1. General validity window: Security+ 701 launched on November 7, 2023 and is described as being valid for about 3 years.
2. English exam retirement date: SY0-701 is scheduled to retire on June 11, 2027 for the English exam.

Together, that points to SY0-701 staying relevant through 2026 and into mid-2027. So if you’re asking how long 701 lasts, the practical answer is that it isn’t short-lived—you’ll likely still see plenty of study materials aimed at it for a while.

Is Security+ Hard to Pass?

The information here doesn’t provide a simple difficulty rating or pass-rate stats. What it does give you is the scoring target:

• Passing score: 750 out of 900 possible points

If you’re trying to gauge difficulty without extra data, use that passing-score detail as your anchor. Some people describe Security+ as a preparedness check, but without more figures, you shouldn’t assume a difficulty level beyond the passing score.

Is Security+ Worth It in 2026?

People often want a clear yes or no, but the details here don’t provide enough evidence to say whether it’s specifically “worth it” for 2026.

What you can take from the timeline is:

• Security+ 701 stays current for a while (launch Nov 7, 2023; retire June 11, 2027 for English; V8 expected around Nov 17, 2026)
• V8 / SY0-801 is coming, so 2026 looks like a transition window where timing matters

So instead of treating this as a “worth it” verdict, it’s more useful to think in terms of timing. If you plan to test in 2025 or early/mid 2026, you’ll likely stay in the SY0-701 setup. If you wait too long, you might need to switch to the newer code (SY0-801) once it launches.

What to Look Up Next: Exam Cost, Objectives, and Study Materials

After you confirm you’re on the right version, the next step is to make sure your study materials match SY0-701.

When you’re choosing what to study, check:

• Security+ exam cost (so you can plan)
• The official exam objectives for SY0-701
• Study resources that explicitly say they’re aligned to SY0-701, not an older version

A lot of problems come from mixing materials. If a book or course is built for a retired exam, you can end up studying the wrong topics even if it still feels like “Security+ prep.”

And if you’re also thinking ahead, keep an eye on V8 / SY0-801 so you know when you might need to switch.

If You’re Considering SY0-801: What We Know From the Release Info

If you’re planning ahead and wondering whether you should wait, the release info points to:

• Security+ V8 expected to launch on or around November 17, 2026
• SY0-801 as the exam code connected to that V8 update

That means your studying plan depends on timing:

• If you test before the V8 launch window, you’ll likely be aiming at SY0-701
• If you test after V8 launches, you’ll likely shift to SY0-801

One practical way to decide isn’t “what’s newer,” it’s “what version matches the date you’ll actually sit for the exam.” Since V8 is expected in late 2026, many people use that timeframe as a planning cutoff for which objectives to follow.

Before you study, confirm the exam code (SY0-701) and review the current objectives so you’re preparing for the right version.