To pass CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) you need 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. That's the published figure. Because the scale starts at 100 and isn't a straight percentage, 750 doesn't translate to 83% of questions right, and CompTIA doesn't publish the conversion.
How the scale works
CompTIA scales raw results onto the 100–900 range so the pass standard is the same whichever version of the exam you get. Questions don't all carry equal weight: performance-based questions (PBQs), where you configure, drag, match or analyse a simulated system, are generally understood to be worth more than a single multiple-choice item. The exact weights aren't public, which is why rough "you need X right" numbers online are guesses.
What's on the exam
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, a mix of multiple choice and PBQs. Some questions may be unscored items CompTIA is testing. The five domains and their weights are General Security Concepts (12%), Threats, Vulnerabilities and Mitigations (22%), Security Architecture (18%), Security Operations (28%) and Security Program Management and Oversight (20%).
A practical tip on PBQs
PBQs often appear at the start and can be slow. Many candidates flag them, answer the multiple-choice questions first, then come back with the remaining time. You can't skip them for good, but you can manage the clock so a hard simulation doesn't cost you ten easy questions.
Results and retakes
You get your result at the end of the exam. Under CompTIA's retake policy, there's no waiting period before a second attempt, and a waiting period before later attempts; each attempt needs a new voucher. Check CompTIA's current retake policy before you book.
Aim for a margin
- Target steady scores around 80–85% on full practice exams before booking.
- Practise PBQ-style tasks: reading firewall rules, matching controls to scenarios, ordering incident-response steps.
- Spend most time on Security Operations; at 28% it's the largest domain.
Free practice: Security+ diagnostic and 15 questions with answers. Related: is Security+ hard? and Security+ vs CISSP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Security+ passing score?
750 on a scale of 100 to 900 for SY0-701. CompTIA doesn't publish how many correct answers equal 750.
What percentage do I need to pass Security+?
There's no official percentage. The score is scaled and question types carry different weights. Aiming for 80–85% on full practice exams gives a safe margin.
How many questions are on Security+?
Up to 90, in 90 minutes, mixing multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
Can I retake Security+ right away?
CompTIA's policy has no waiting period before a second attempt, then a waiting period before further attempts. Each attempt needs its own voucher.