So you're wondering how long to study for Security+ - and honestly, that's one of the smartest questions you can ask before diving into exam prep. I've seen people crash and burn because they underestimated the time commitment, and I've also seen folks waste months over-preparing when they were ready way earlier. Neither situation is ideal.
The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your Security+ study time depends heavily on your background, available hours, and how you learn. But I can give you realistic ranges and help you figure out where you fall. Let's get into it.
Quick Answer: How Long Does It Take to Study for Security+?
If you need a number right now, here's the typical range: 4 to 12 weeks, depending on your experience level. That translates to roughly 100 to 200 hours of total study time. But those numbers vary wildly based on your starting point.
Security+ Study Time at a Glance
- IT professionals (3+ years experience): 4-6 weeks, 80-120 hours
- Some IT background (1-2 years): 6-8 weeks, 120-160 hours
- Limited IT experience: 8-12 weeks, 160-200 hours
- Complete beginners: 12-16+ weeks, 200-300 hours
Now, these aren't arbitrary numbers I pulled from thin air. They're based on what I've seen work for hundreds of candidates, plus what CompTIA themselves suggest. The organization recommends having Network+ or equivalent knowledge and about two years of IT experience before attempting Security+. If you're starting below that baseline, you'll need more time to build foundational knowledge alongside Security+ specific content.
Security+ Study Time by Experience Level
Let me break this down more specifically, because "it depends" only gets you so far. Here's what realistic preparation looks like based on where you're starting from.
Experienced IT Professionals (3+ Years)
If you've been working in IT for a few years - especially in roles touching networking, system administration, or help desk - you probably already know 30-40% of the Security+ material. You understand how networks work, you've dealt with access controls, maybe you've configured firewalls or dealt with malware incidents. That's huge.
Timeline: 4-6 weeks
Total hours: 80-120 hours
Weekly commitment: 15-20 hours
Your focus should be on filling gaps rather than learning everything from scratch. Cryptography and compliance frameworks often trip up experienced IT folks because they're less common in day-to-day work. Spend extra time there.
Some IT Background (1-2 Years)
Maybe you've been in a help desk role, done some basic networking, or have CompTIA A+ certification. You understand computers and have exposure to IT concepts, but security-specific knowledge is limited. This is probably the most common starting point for Security+ candidates.
Timeline: 6-8 weeks
Total hours: 120-160 hours
Weekly commitment: 15-20 hours
You'll need to build security fundamentals while learning exam-specific content. Topics like threat types, security tools, and incident response will require more attention since you probably haven't encountered them professionally yet.
Limited IT Experience
You've maybe done some self-study, taken a few courses, or have tangential tech experience. You know what a firewall is but couldn't configure one. You've heard of encryption but couldn't explain how it works. Starting from here is totally doable - just requires more time and realistic expectations.
Timeline: 8-12 weeks
Total hours: 160-200 hours
Weekly commitment: 15-20 hours
Consider spending the first few weeks building networking fundamentals before diving deep into Security+ content. The exam assumes you understand networking basics like TCP/IP, ports, and protocols.
How Long to Study for Security+ with No Experience
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room. Can you pass Security+ with absolutely no IT experience? Yes. Is it harder and will it take longer? Also yes.
If you're coming from a completely different field - maybe career changing into cybersecurity - you're looking at a different timeline than the typical candidate. And that's totally fine. Plenty of people have done it successfully.
Timeline: 3-6 months
Total hours: 200-300 hours
Weekly commitment: 10-15 hours (sustainable pace)
Reality Check for Beginners
The key for beginners is not trying to rush. Security+ covers a lot of ground, and without context from work experience, you're memorizing rather than connecting concepts to real scenarios. That takes longer but is absolutely achievable with consistent effort.
Factors That Affect Your Security+ Study Time
Beyond just experience level, several other factors influence how long you'll need to prepare. Understanding these helps you create a realistic plan.
Prior Certifications
Already have A+ or Network+? You're ahead of the game. Network+ especially overlaps with Security+ in networking concepts, ports and protocols, and some security basics. Candidates with Network+ often shave 2-3 weeks off their Security+ prep time.
Learning Style and Speed
Some people absorb information quickly through videos. Others need to read and take notes. Some learn best by doing - labs and practice questions. Knowing how you learn best and using appropriate resources matters. Using the wrong study method for your learning style can add weeks to your timeline.
Available Study Hours
This one's obvious but worth stating: someone studying 20 hours per week will be ready faster than someone managing only 5 hours. But there's a ceiling - studying more than 25-30 hours weekly often leads to diminishing returns and burnout. Quality beats quantity.
Study Resource Quality
Not all study materials are created equal. Using outdated resources (especially for the current SY0-701 exam) wastes time studying irrelevant content. Cheap practice exams with poor questions give false confidence. Investing in quality resources from the start saves time overall.
How Many Hours Per Week Should You Study?
This might be the most practical question - how much time each week should you actually block out for Security+ prep? The answer balances effectiveness with sustainability.
Recommended Weekly Hours
For most candidates, 10-20 hours per week hits the sweet spot. This typically breaks down as:
- Part-time students: 10-12 hours weekly (1-2 hours daily)
- Moderate pace: 15-18 hours weekly (2-3 hours daily)
- Intensive prep: 20-25 hours weekly (3-4 hours daily)
Going beyond 25 hours weekly is possible for short bursts but hard to maintain. And honestly, retention often suffers with marathon study sessions. Your brain needs time to consolidate information between sessions.
Daily Study Sessions
Research on learning suggests that 45-90 minute focused sessions work better than longer stretches. Taking breaks every hour helps maintain focus and retention. Many successful candidates do 2 focused sessions per day with a break in between.
Something that works well: study new material in the morning when you're fresh, review and practice questions in the evening. This spaced repetition approach improves long-term retention.
Sample Security+ Study Schedules
Let me give you some concrete schedules based on different timelines. Adjust these to fit your life, but they'll give you a framework to start with.
8-Week Schedule (Moderate Pace)
This works well for candidates with some IT background.
- Weeks 1-2: Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities (Domain 1)
- Week 3: Architecture and Design (Domain 2)
- Week 4: Implementation (Domain 3) - Part 1
- Week 5: Implementation (Domain 3) - Part 2
- Week 6: Operations and Incident Response (Domain 4)
- Week 7: Governance, Risk, and Compliance (Domain 5)
- Week 8: Full review and practice exams
12-Week Schedule (Thorough Preparation)
Better for those with limited experience or wanting extra time.
- Weeks 1-2: Networking and IT fundamentals review
- Weeks 3-4: Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities
- Weeks 5-6: Architecture and Design
- Weeks 7-8: Implementation
- Week 9: Operations and Incident Response
- Week 10: Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Weeks 11-12: Comprehensive review, practice exams, weak area focus
Weekly Study Pattern
Whatever schedule you choose, try this weekly pattern: learn new material Monday-Thursday, review Friday, take a practice quiz Saturday, rest Sunday. This rhythm builds in spaced repetition and prevents burnout.
Accelerated Preparation Options
Sometimes you need to pass Security+ fast. Maybe a job requires it, or you've got a deadline. Accelerated prep is possible, but comes with trade-offs.
Boot Camps (5-7 Days)
Intensive boot camps cram Security+ content into a week of full-time study. They work best for candidates who already have strong IT backgrounds and just need structured review. Cost runs $2,000-$4,000 typically.
Honest assessment: boot camps work for some people but have high failure rates among those without prior knowledge. You're not learning deeply - you're cramming. Information retention after the exam tends to be poor.
Intensive Self-Study (2-4 Weeks)
If you're disciplined and can study 30+ hours weekly, a 2-4 week intensive schedule is doable. This requires:
- Solid existing IT knowledge
- Time blocked for 4-6 hours of daily study
- High-quality, efficient study resources
- Strong self-discipline and focus
The risk with intensive schedules is burnout before the exam. If you flame out at week 3 of a 4-week plan, you're in trouble. Build in at least one rest day per week even during intensive prep.
Need to Pass Quickly?
If time pressure is extreme and you absolutely need to pass Security+ on a tight deadline, there are professional options available. Some candidates in time-critical situations work with exam assistance services to ensure success. It's worth considering if the stakes are high.
Best Study Resources for Security+
The resources you use significantly impact your study efficiency. Here's what actually works for Security+ preparation.
Video Courses
Professor Messer's free Security+ course is the gold standard. It's comprehensive, well-organized, and covers the current SY0-701 exam objectives. For paid options, Jason Dion's courses on Udemy offer great value with frequent sales pricing.
Study Guides
The official CompTIA Security+ Study Guide by Mike Chapple and David Seidl is excellent for deep understanding. It's dense but thorough. For a lighter alternative, the Exam Cram series offers more condensed coverage.
Practice Exams
This is where you shouldn't cheap out. Quality practice exams from Dion Training, Kaplan IT, or CompTIA's own CertMaster Practice are worth the investment. Free practice tests online are often outdated or poorly written.
Aim to take at least 5-6 full practice exams before your actual test. You should be consistently scoring 85% or higher before scheduling.
Hands-On Labs
Security+ includes performance-based questions that require practical skills. TryHackMe and other platforms offer Security+ relevant labs. Even setting up a home lab with virtual machines helps solidify concepts.
Common Security+ Study Mistakes to Avoid
After seeing hundreds of candidates prepare, certain patterns lead to failure. Avoid these and you'll be ahead of most test takers.
Underestimating the Exam
Security+ isn't a "show up and pass" certification. The exam is challenging, with tricky wording and scenarios that require actual understanding. Cramming for a few days rarely works unless you already know the material cold.
Ignoring Performance-Based Questions
Many candidates focus entirely on multiple choice and get blindsided by performance-based questions (PBQs). These require you to actually do things - configure settings, analyze logs, identify issues. Practice these specifically.
Memorizing Without Understanding
The exam tests application of knowledge, not just recall. You can memorize all the port numbers but still fail if you don't understand when and why to use different protocols. Focus on concepts and reasoning, not just facts.
Using Outdated Materials
The current exam is SY0-701. Materials for SY0-601 or earlier are partially relevant but missing current content. Always verify your resources cover the active exam version.
Not Taking Enough Practice Tests
Practice exams do more than test knowledge - they build test-taking stamina and familiarity with question formats. Taking only 1-2 practice tests before the real exam is a common mistake. Aim for 5-6 minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts on Security+ Study Time
So, how long to study for Security+? For most candidates, somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks with 100-200 hours of total study time. Your specific timeline depends on your background, available hours, and how efficiently you use your study time.
The biggest mistake I see is people either rushing (and failing) or dragging prep out so long they lose momentum. Find a sustainable pace that pushes you without burning you out. Consistency beats intensity almost every time.
And remember - the goal isn't just passing the exam. It's building knowledge that serves your career. The effort you put into genuine understanding pays dividends long after you've forgotten your test score.
Ready to start your Security+ journey? Whether you're planning months of study or need to pass Security+ quickly, having a clear plan makes all the difference. Map out your timeline, gather quality resources, and commit to consistent progress. You've got this.