CompTIA Security+ Quick Review: What to Read the Night Before the Exam

Anyone researching Security+ night before exam eventually runs into the same question: what does Security+ actually demand? CompTIA's current Security+ exam is SY0-701, launched on November 7, 2023. It is a single-exam certification priced at $425, capped at maximum of 90 questions, timed at 90 minutes, and scored on a 100–900 scale with 750 required to pass.

What to review the night before

The night before the exam is not for learning new material. It is for consolidating what you already know. Review your personal weak spots from practice exams, confirm the exam constants (SY0-701, $425, 90 questions, 90 minutes, 750 passing), and do a final read of your ports list and incident response phases.

Do not attempt a full practice exam the night before. A full 90-question timed run the night before leads to fatigue, not confidence. A 20-30 question targeted review of your weakest domain is a better use of the time.

Exam day preparation

Get a full night of sleep. Arrive at the test center (or start your online proctored session) with time to spare. Remember that PBQs appear at the beginning — the first few minutes will be more interactive than a pure multiple-choice test. Budget appropriately and do not spend 30 minutes on a single PBQ.

What should you do with this information next?

Our CompTIA Security+ study guide includes a ports and protocols cheat sheet and a 6-week study schedule. Available at securitypluscertprep.com/guide.

SimpuTech's Security+ AI tutor can build a personalized study plan. Try it at SimpuTech.com.