Decision summary
- Starting a cybersecurity career
- Common requirement in entry-level SOC postings
- Anyone jumping straight into hands-on pentesting
- Junior SOC Analyst
- Security Specialist
- Networking basics (Network+ or equivalent recommended)
- CySA+ or SC-200
Last price check: March 15, 2025Source
Exam price from CompTIA; varies by country.
Guidance only · Content reviewed March 2026 · Verify pricing and requirements with the official provider
Verification details
- Content reviewed: March 2026
- Exam data checked: May 25, 2026
- Price captured: March 15, 2025
Certification details
Overview
Foundational cybersecurity certification covering core security concepts and operations
Foundational cybersecurity certification covering core security concepts and operations. This certification is suitable for the Beginner.
Exam & requirements
Sourced from the official issuer and may change — verify before booking.
- Exam code
- SY0-701
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Questions
- ≤ 90
- Passing score
- 750 / 900
- Validity
- 3 years
Two years of sysadmin experience with a security focus recommended; Network+ helpful but not required.
Renew via CompTIA CertMaster CE or earn 50 CEUs over 3 years.
Tips to pass the exam
General guidance — verify with official sourceLock in one consistent quiet hour daily (early morning works well) — consistency beats volume.
Start with a question bank before reading the book — it tells you what's actually tested.
Take a full rest day before the exam — adequate rest noticeably sharpens focus and recall.
Study plan
- 1
Read the official exam overview and confirm the current exam version (Exam Objectives).
- 2
Spend the first week on theoretical fundamentals using one free video course (YouTube or Coursera audit).
- 3
Cover the syllabus sequentially over the following weeks, summarising each chapter in one page.
- 4
Start practice questions after completing the first third of the syllabus to get used to the exam style early.
- 5
Reserve the final week for full mock exams. Don't book the real exam until you score 80%+ three times in a row.
Frequently asked questions
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What's next?
Continue your journey after reading this certification.
This site is a free informational guide only. For the latest pricing, requirements, and exam scheduling, please visit the issuer's official site via the link above.