The CompTIA Security+ online exam is delivered through Pearson VUE OnVUE, one of two ways to sit SY0-701 alongside a Pearson VUE test centre. Both formats run the same maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. Online, you complete an identity check and an environment check before a proctor watches your session remotely, so arrive early.
Whether you are sitting the CompTIA Security+ online exam or heading to a Pearson VUE test centre, knowing what happens before the clock starts removes one more variable on exam day. This page walks through both paths using only what CompTIA and Pearson VUE publish about the process.
Choosing test centre or online
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 is delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test centre or online through Pearson VUE OnVUE proctoring. Both deliver the identical exam: the same maximum of 90 questions, the same 90-minute time limit, and the same 750 passing score on a 100-900 scale. Your choice affects logistics, not content or difficulty.
Preparing for the CompTIA Security+ online exam
If you choose online proctoring, Pearson VUE requires your testing environment to meet its published guidelines before you can begin. In general terms, that means a private space, a stable internet connection, and a setup free of the items Pearson VUE's online exam guidelines prohibit during the session. Review the official guidelines closely before your appointment rather than assuming your usual setup qualifies; details on accommodations and environment rules are published on CompTIA's online-proctored exam guidelines page.
Check-in and identification
Whether online or at a test centre, Pearson VUE requires identity verification before you can start. Plan to arrive at your workstation, or the test centre, with enough buffer time before your scheduled slot to complete check-in without rushing. For the online option specifically, this includes a system and environment check in addition to identity verification, both of which happen right before the exam begins rather than in advance.
During the exam
Once checked in, you have 90 minutes to work through a maximum of 90 questions. Performance-based questions, the interactive simulations covering tasks like configuring a firewall or analyzing logs, are usually presented first, before the multiple-choice portion. Manage your time accordingly: if a performance-based item is taking longer than expected, it is worth moving on and returning to it if the interface allows, rather than letting one question consume time you need for the rest of the exam.
After the exam
CompTIA Security+ is scored on a 100-900 scale against a passing score of 750. What happens immediately after you submit, and when you see your result, is part of Pearson VUE's standard delivery process; check your confirmation details from booking for the specifics that apply to your appointment.
If you need a retake
There is no waiting period between your first and second attempt. Before a third attempt, and any attempt after that, CompTIA requires at least 14 calendar days between sittings. You also cannot retake the same exam code after passing without CompTIA's prior consent. Full retake terms are on CompTIA's certification retake policy page, and booking a retake works the same way as your first attempt through the cost and booking page.
Exam-day checklist
- Confirm your delivery method, test centre or online, before your scheduled date.
- For online proctoring, review Pearson VUE's environment requirements in advance rather than the morning of your exam.
- Have valid identification ready and arrive early enough to complete check-in without rushing.
- Know that performance-based questions usually come first, and pace yourself across the full 90 minutes.
- Review the exam format and scoring page one more time so the mechanics of the exam are not a surprise.
If any of this still feels unfamiliar, a full-length timed mock through our practice test before you finalize your booking date is the most practical way to close that gap.
Exam facts on this page come from CompTIA’s own pages (official exam page). Prices, versions and policies change — confirm there before you book.