CompTIA Security+ Passing Score: The 750 Number Explained
The CompTIA Security+ Passing Score: 750 Out of 900
If you're preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam (SY0-701), you've likely seen the number 750 mentioned. That is the official passing score. But what does that number actually mean? Is it a percentage? How many questions can you get wrong? In this article, we'll demystify the CompTIA Security+ passing score, explain how scaled scoring works, and give you a strategic plan to bank the marks you need.
Understanding the Scaled Score
The CompTIA Security+ exam is scored on a scale of 100 to 900. You need a score of 750 to pass. This is not a raw percentage. The exam consists of a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions, each worth a certain number of points. The total raw points available vary from exam to exam, because some questions are unscored (pretest questions) and the difficulty of the exam can vary. For a deeper dive, check out Azure AZ-500 Passing Score: Security Technologies Scoring Explained.
To ensure fairness across different exam versions, CompTIA uses a scaled scoring system. This means your raw score (the number of points you earn) is converted to a scaled score on the 100-900 scale. The conversion is designed so that a score of 750 represents the same level of competency regardless of the specific exam version you take.
How Scaled Scoring Differs from a Percentage
If the exam had a fixed number of questions and each question was worth the same number of points, your score could be calculated as a simple percentage. But that's not the case. Performance-based questions (PBQs) are often worth more than multiple-choice questions, and some questions are not scored. So, you can't simply say "I need to get 83% correct" (750/900). The actual number of questions you can miss varies.
For example, if the exam has 90 scored questions, and each is worth 10 points, the total raw points would be 900. In that case, 750 would mean you need 75% of the points. But if some questions are worth 20 points and others 5, the math changes. Also, if there are 80 scored questions and 10 unscored, the total raw points are not simply 900.
How Many Questions Can You Miss?
The CompTIA Security+ exam typically has a maximum of 90 questions, including multiple-choice and performance-based. Not all questions are scored; some are pretest questions that don't count toward your score. However, you won't know which ones are unscored. For background on this area, read CompTIA Security+ Practice Questions: Scenario-Based Questions Unpacked.
Assuming all questions are scored and each is worth the same number of points, you would need 750 out of 900 points, which is 83.33%. That means you could miss about 16.67% of the questions. For 90 questions, that's about 15 questions you can get wrong. But because PBQs are often worth more, you might be able to miss more multiple-choice questions if you ace the PBQs, or fewer if you struggle with them.
A Simple Worked Example
Let's say the exam has 90 questions, with 80 multiple-choice (worth 10 points each) and 10 performance-based (worth 20 points each). Total raw points = 80*10 + 10*20 = 800 + 200 = 1000. But the scaled score is 100-900, not 0-1000. So the raw score is converted to the 900 scale. If you get 70 multiple-choice correct (700 points) and 8 PBQs correct (160 points), your raw score is 860. The scaled conversion might map that to a score of 750 or higher. If you get 60 multiple-choice correct (600 points) and 5 PBQs correct (100 points), raw score = 700, which might map to below 750.
In reality, the conversion is proprietary, but the key takeaway is that you need to perform well across all domains, but especially on the PBQs, which can boost your score significantly.
Strategic Implications: Prioritize Domains to Bank Safe Marks
The Security+ exam has five domains, each with a different weight. The domain weights are as follows: Another useful resource: CompTIA Security+ Without IT Experience: Can You Actually Pull It Off?.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. General Security Concepts | 12% |
| 2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| 3. Security Architecture | 18% |
| 4. Security Operations | 28% |
| 5. Security Program Management and Oversight | 20% |
As you can see, Security Operations (28%) and Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) are the heaviest. Together they account for half of the exam. To maximize your score, you should focus on these two domains. But don't ignore the others—you need a solid foundation in all areas.
Prioritizing High-Weight Domains
If you have limited study time, emphasize the domains with the highest weight. For example, if you can master Security Operations and Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations, you can potentially earn more points than if you spent the same time on General Security Concepts. However, you still need to know the basics. The goal is to bank safe marks in areas you're confident about, while improving in weaker areas.
A free CompTIA Security+ study plan gives you a week-by-week schedule that fits your available time and weights topics according to the exam.
Performance-Based Questions: The Key to a High Score
PBQs are typically worth more than multiple-choice questions. They test your ability to apply knowledge in realistic scenarios, such as configuring a firewall or analyzing a security incident. Because they are worth more, performing well on PBQs can significantly boost your score. Make sure to practice PBQs extensively. You can find practice labs and simulations online.
Before you spend hours on practice labs, use this free CompTIA Security+ readiness check to quickly see your weakest topic.
How to Approach the Exam Strategically
- First pass: Answer all questions you know confidently. Skip difficult ones.
- Second pass: Go back to the skipped questions and try to eliminate wrong answers.
- Manage time: You have 90 minutes for the exam. Don't spend too long on any single question.
- Don't leave blanks: There's no penalty for guessing, so always answer every question.
Conclusion
The CompTIA Security+ passing score of 750 is a scaled score, not a percentage. You can miss a certain number of questions, but that number varies based on question weights and the presence of unscored questions. To increase your chances, focus on the high-weight domains and master performance-based questions. By understanding the scoring system, you can approach the exam with a clear strategy.
Eliminate surprises on test day — CompTIA Security+ exam questions cover the question types the exam actually uses.