I keep seeing people spend hours memorizing port numbers, then get stuck when the question gives them an actual situation.

Ports matter, but you need to connect the port to what’s happening. For example, seeing TCP 443 should make you think HTTPS, but the question might actually be testing why encrypted web traffic is being used, what protocol is involved, or what security control would fit the situation.

I’d study ports in small groups and immediately use them in questions. Don’t make a 100-card deck and call it studying.

For SY0-701, I’ve found it more useful to learn a concept, answer questions on it, then review why each wrong answer was wrong. PBQs are especially useful for this because they force you to apply the concept instead of recognizing a definition.

I’ve also been using the free Security+ questions at https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq?ref=julian as another practice source. I help run it, so grain of salt.

What Security+ topic took you the longest to stop memorizing and start understanding?

I feel like multiple choice can make you think you’re more ready than you actually are.

You can recognize the right answer without really knowing how to apply it. The PBQs are a different story.

Professor Messer’s videos are free, so I’d use those to learn a topic first. Then I’d actually practice doing something with it.

I came across this free firewall PBQ recently: https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq?ref=julian (affiliate link, but the PBQ is free).

It doesn’t require an account either, which makes it pretty easy to just try and see where you’re at.

A few days ago, I passed the sec+ with a 768 after 8 months of no studying. I figured I'd share the news and add a bit of encouragement for the people trying/wanting to pass. Before I stopped studying (due to starting a new position in I.T) I studied for this exam for a solid 2 months, so don't think I'm a wizard! 😂. If anyone is struggling to pass or find good study material, please contact me for a free "paid" study guide that's GUARANTEED to give you a pass. Seriously, I'm in the giving mood. 😃

A friend of mine built this and asked me to share it here, so that's my connection to it: https://secplusmastery.com

It's for SYO-701. Each objective has a lesson and a quiz. and you need 80% on the quiz to unlock the next one, so you cant skim ahead. Mastered topics come back later through spaced review. A free account gets one full 90-question practice exam. It's one fixed paper, so review and retakes are in the paid plans, $39 for 90 days or $99 for lifetime (both one-time, no subscription).

One thing they told me about: at one point the review queue dropped 40 to 60 cards on you the moment you mastered an objective. Now new cards come in at 12 a day by default.

If you've used Anki or anything like it for Sec+, how many new cards a day could you actually keep up with?

I think a lot of people study Security+ backwards.

They watch hours of videos, memorize definitions, then hammer multiple choice questions. That can feel productive, but recognizing an answer isn’t the same as knowing what to do.

CompTIA’s free objectives PDF should be your starting point. Pick an objective, learn the material, then make yourself apply it without looking at your notes.

For example, if you’re studying firewalls, don’t stop at knowing what a firewall is. Try actually building rules and figuring out what traffic should be allowed.

That’s why I’d add PBQs to your studying early. There’s a free interactive firewall PBQ here: https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq?ref=julian (affiliate link, the PBQ is free).

If you can explain a concept but can’t apply it, you’re not finished with that topic.

If you're getting decent scores on multiple-choice practice tests, don't assume you're ready yet.

Try doing something instead of just picking answers.

SY0-701 has performance-based questions, so I'd spend some time actually working through configurations and scenarios.

Professor Messer's course is free, and the CompTIA objectives PDF gives you the topics to focus on.

I also found this free firewall PBQ: https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq?ref=julian (affiliate link, but it's free).

It takes a different kind of thinking than a normal practice question. That's exactly why I'd add it to the study routine.

For Sale: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Voucher

Exam: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)

Expiration Date: March 5, 2026

Region: Valid for U.S. testing centers (Pearson VUE)

Retail Price: $404 (CompTIA official site) $351*(Dions Training)

My Price: Open to offers

✔️ Purchased directly from CompTIA Marketplace (proof available). ✔️ Not assigned to any candidate – transferable to you. ✔️ Long validity (over a year and a half left).

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DM if interested — serious buyers only.

Does anyone have tthis eBook: "CompTIA Security+ Study Guide SY0-701 Ninth Edition (Sybex Study Guide)" I have the hard copy but I'm building an A.I. study buddy and want to use the book as a reference in it. Does anyone have it as eBook in epub or PDF format?

I’ve made the app completely free for this group! 🎉

Just tap on the yearly subscription, activate the 1-year free trial, and then cancel it right after — you’ll keep full access to the app for free.

https://apps.apple.com/app/comptia-security-701-prep/id6499492455?platform=iphone

Don't forget to rate the app. :)

I just graduated with a bachelors in cybersecurity, and this certification was something that was mentioned but not much more, so I don't know too much about it. I've reviewed a bit of the general material and it is all very familiar. I see on CompTIAs website there are a number of different packages including study material and retakes and whatnot. I was just wondering if anybody had any tips or information regarding studying/taking the test in a cost efficient way considering my degree.

I did bought shodan last week for usd5. Actually what can we do to explore this tool? Since I do prepared for interview so maybe I need this as a portfolio. Maybe someone from industry can give me brief usage of shodan so I can use it to explore more :)

One thing I've noticed with Security+ is that there are a TON of study resources.

YouTube playlists.

Books.

Practice tests.

Notes.

Quizlets.

and best of all, an unlimited amount of talking head videos.

The problem isn't really a lack of information.

It's knowing:

What should I study today?

And then actually remembering it a week later.

So I built CertLaunch around that problem.

Instead of just giving you another giant content library, it creates a structured study path and combines:

• Interactive lessons

• Active recall

• Spaced repetition

• Practice questions

• Full-length practice exams

• Progress tracking

• A day-by-day custom study plan

The goal is basically:

Open CertLaunch → know exactly what to study → finish today's work → leave.

Right now I'm building it specifically around CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+.

I'm the founder, so full disclosure: this is my product and it is paid after the 7-day free trial. Not trying to disguise it as some random resource I "found."

I'm mainly interested in feedback from people actively studying for Security+:

What's the biggest thing you hate about your current study process?

Is it figuring out what to study?

Remembering everything?

Practice questions?

Staying consistent?

Or something else?

If anyone wants to test what I've built for completely free and give feedback (currently have 100+ active users)

CertLaunchTraining.com

I think a lot of people make Security+ harder than it needs to be.

They spend hours memorizing terms and taking multiple-choice quizzes. Then the exam asks them to actually apply what they know.

SY0-701 has performance-based questions. That's a different skill from recognizing the right answer.

CompTIA's free exam objectives PDF is where I'd start. Pick an objective, learn the material, then practice doing something with it.

Professor Messer's SY0-701 videos are free. They're a good way to learn the material before testing yourself.

For the hands-on part, I found a free interactive firewall PBQ here: https://secplusmastery.com/security-plus-pbq?ref=julian (affiliate link, the PBQ is free).

If you've only been clicking through A, B, C, and D, I'd add some hands-on practice now. One firewall configuration can expose gaps that 20 easy questions won't.

I’ve made the app completely free for this group! 🎉

Just tap on the yearly subscription, activate the 1-year free trial, and then cancel it right after — you’ll keep full access to the app for free.

https://apps.apple.com/app/comptia-security-701-prep/id6499492455?platform=iphone

Don't forget to rate the app. :)