How I Passed CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Anagh Eshaan
Why I Chose Security +
Recently, I developed an interest in the cybersecurity domain — and like most curious minds today, the first thing I did was turn to ChatGPT for guidance.
After exploring various suggestions, one certification that kept coming up was CompTIA Security+.
CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized entry-level certification that covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including network security, threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, and incident response.
To validate its relevance, I started checking job descriptions for junior cybersecurity roles — and sure enough, Security+ appeared consistently in the "preferred" or "recommended" sections across many listings.
After going through the syllabus, it was clear that the certification is theory-heavy — but as a complete beginner to cybersecurity, it felt like the perfect starting point to build foundational knowledge.
My background before starting
I’m a Quality Assurance Engineer with 3 years of experience, and I recently developed a strong interest in the field of cybersecurity.
CompTIA Security+ was my first step into this domain — my very first cybersecurity-related certification
This blog is my way of documenting the journey, while also hoping to help others who might be in a similar place and unsure where and how to start.
Resources I used
As someone new to cybersecurity, I tried to stick to beginner-friendly and well-recommended resources.
Video Courses :
Professor Messer : Gold Standard for CompTIA training : YOUTUBE ( FREE )
Often considered the gold standard for CompTIA training. His videos are clear, structured, and exam-focused — perfect for beginners.
Cyberkraft Playlist for PBQs : YOUTUBE ( FREE )
Practice Exams :
Cyber James : YOUTUBE ( FREE )
A 4-part mock test series that gives a good idea of what real exam questions feel like. Great for testing your knowledge once you’ve completed studying.
Professor Messer Practice exams from his website ( PAID )
These were very useful for real exam simulation. The questions are detailed, and explanations are provided for every answer — great for revising weak areas.
TIP
- If you're just starting out, I'd highly recommend beginning with Professor Messer’s videos, then using Cyber James to test your retention, and finally levelling up with paid practice exams if you can afford them. ( they are definitely worth it ) .
Study Plan and Timeline
I gave myself a timeline of 30 days to prepare for this exam.
On average, I studied for 1 to 1.5 hours per day, and ended up putting in around 40 hours of total study time before taking the test.
I followed Professor Messer’s playlist in order and took notes along the way. The content was manageable if tackled consistently.
One thing I realized early on: there are a ton of acronyms to remember in this exam. I highly recommend creating or using flashcards — they helped me retain tricky terms.
During the final week, I focused entirely on practice exams and reviewing my weak areas using Messer’s paid bundle.
Then I went over the PBQ’s playlist mentioned in the Resources above ( extremely important ! ).
A few hours before the exam, I did a final quick run-through of the Cyber James mock tests — more for a confidence boost than learning at that point.
TIP : Focus on PBQ’s
Exam Day Experience
I took the Security+ exam online through Pearson VUE, which meant I could give it from home — but with some strict rules in place.
Before the exam, I had to:
Verify my ID
Take pictures of my room and desk setup from multiple angles
Ensure that no one else was around and that my workspace was completely clean
The proctor monitored everything through my webcam and microphone. Once everything was set up, the exam began.
There were a total of 90 questions, including a few performance-based questions (PBQs) at the beginning. These questions are more hands-on — things like matching, drag-and-drop, or configuring settings.
I finished the exam in around 70 minutes, then used the remaining time to review a few flagged questions.
Overall, the experience was smooth — but I’d recommend:
Staying calm if PBQs feel tricky — they’re designed to test practical understanding, not perfection.
Having your room clean and ready ahead of time.
Tips for Future Test Takers
Don’t panic during PBQs — take your time and move on if needed.
Flashcards are your best friend for acronyms.
Don’t skip practice exams.
Try to study consistently every day, even if it’s just for 1 hour.
If a question seems too complex, use elimination to increase your chances
Useful Links
All the resources I used — including video courses, practice exams, and official study materials — are listed in Section 3: Resources I Used above.
Feel free to refer back to that section for direct links and my thoughts on each one.
What’s Coming Next ?
Now that I’ve completed both the CompTIA Security+ and AWS Cloud Practitioner certifications, I’m continuing my deep dive into cybersecurity.
My next blog will likely cover :
How I approached the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam as a beginner.
Why cloud knowledge is important for cybersecurity professionals.
The study plan and resources I used to pass the exam.
This blog is just the start of a series where I document my path from beginner to cybersecurity professional — one certification, one tool, and one lab at a time.
Final Thoughts
Starting my cybersecurity journey with CompTIA Security+ was the right decision. It gave me a structured introduction to essential topics like network security, threats, and risk management — all of which are foundational for anyone entering this field.
This blog is not just a reflection of what I did, but also a way to help others who may be starting from scratch like I did. I hope it gives you some clarity, motivation, or even a small push to take your first step.
If you're considering Security+ — go for it. Stick to your plan, stay consistent, and trust the process.
If you have any questions, want to share your own journey, or just want to connect — feel free to reach out! I’d love to hear from others who are starting or switching into cybersecurity too.
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Written by
Anagh Eshaan
Anagh Eshaan
An aspiring cybersecurity engineer.