Passing the Security+ Exam

After months of studying, practice tests, and more coffee than I care to admit, I finally passed the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) exam! Here’s my complete study plan, the resources I used, and what I wish I knew before taking this beast of a test.

Why Security+?

I chose Security+ as my first cybersecurity certification because it’s vendor-neutral, widely recognized, and covers a broad range of security topics. It’s also a great stepping stone to more advanced certifications like CISSP or CEH.

My Study Timeline

Total study time: 3 months, averaging 2-3 hours per day

Month 1: Foundation Building

• Read through the official CompTIA Security+ study guide
• Watched Professor Messer’s free video series
• Created flashcards for key terms and concepts
• Focused on understanding, not memorizing

Study Resources That Actually Helped

📚 Books & Videos

• CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead (Darril Gibson)
• Professor Messer’s Security+ videos (FREE!)
• Jason Dion’s Udemy course
• Mike Meyers’ Security+ book

🎯 Practice Tests

• CompTIA Official Practice Tests
• Jason Dion’s practice exams
• Professor Messer’s practice tests
• ExamCompass free questions

The Exam Experience

I took the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Here’s what surprised me:

• Performance-based questions: These were harder than expected. You actually have to configure things!
• Time pressure: 90 minutes for 90 questions feels tight
• Question variety: Mix of multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and simulations
• Difficulty curve: Questions get progressively harder

Key Topics That Tripped Me Up

⚠️ Areas to Focus Extra Time On

• Cryptography: Understanding different algorithms and their use cases
• Risk Management: Calculating ALE, SLE, and ARO
• Incident Response: The order of operations during a breach
• Compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, SOX requirements
• Network Security: Firewall rules and network segmentation

My Study Strategy

1. Active Learning: Don’t just read—take notes, create diagrams
2. Spaced Repetition: Review material multiple times over weeks
3. Practice Tests: Take them weekly, not just before the exam
4. Hands-on Practice: Set up labs for concepts you don’t understand
5. Study Groups: Join online communities and discuss topics

What I Wish I Knew

• Start with practice tests early: They show you what you don’t know
• Focus on understanding, not memorizing: The exam tests application, not recall
• Time management is crucial: Practice with timed tests
• Read questions carefully: Look for keywords like “BEST,” “MOST,” “LEAST”
• Don’t second-guess yourself: Trust your first instinct

The Results

I passed with a score of 785/900 (750 is passing). Not perfect, but I’ll take it! The relief when I saw “PASS” on the screen was indescribable. Three months of hard work finally paid off.

🎉 Next Steps

With Security+ under my belt, I’m now considering the CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) or starting the CISSP journey. The certification has already opened doors for interviews and given me more confidence in my cybersecurity knowledge.