Security+ Exam Format and Scoring Breakdown

Security+ Exam Format and Scoring Breakdown

Knowing the format eliminates surprises on exam day.

Exam Details

| Detail | What to check |

|--------|---------------|

| Exam code | Current Security+ version — see comptia.org |

| Questions | A capped number of questions (confirm current count) |

| Time | A fixed time limit (confirm current) |

| Passing score | A scaled score set by CompTIA (confirm current) |

| Question types | Multiple choice + performance-based (PBQs) |

| Cost | Varies by region and changes — check comptia.org / Pearson VUE |

Exam format, fees, and the passing score are set by CompTIA and change with each exam version. Always confirm the current details on the [official CompTIA Security+ page](https://www.comptia.org) before booking.

Question Types

Multiple choice (most of the exam):

• Single-answer: pick the BEST answer from 4 options
• Multi-answer: "select TWO" or "select THREE" — the question tells you how many

Performance-based questions (PBQs):

• Drag-and-drop, matching, simulations
• Typically 3–5 per exam
• Appear at the beginning — skip them and come back if they're time-consuming

Scoring

The scoring is scaled, not percentage-based. You don't need to hit a fixed percentage — CompTIA uses a weighted algorithm and publishes the scaled passing score on its official exam page. Some questions are unscored pilot questions (you won't know which ones).

Domain Weights

Ranked from most to least heavily weighted on the current exam:

1. Security Operations — the largest domain
2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations
3. Security Program Management and Oversight
4. Security Architecture
5. General Security Concepts — the smallest domain

Security Operations is the heaviest — don't underweight it in your study plan.

> Domain weightings are set by CompTIA and change with each exam version — confirm the current objectives at comptia.org.