Best CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Practice Exams in 2026

CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the most popular entry-level cybersecurity certification, and practice questions are the single biggest lever for passing — especially because the exam mixes multiple-choice questions with performance-based questions (PBQs) that catch people who only memorized definitions. The good news: Security+ has some of the best study resources of any certification. Here's how the main practice-exam options compare, honestly.

The comparison at a glance

Professor Messer — the best free starting point

Professor Messer's free SY0-701 video course is, deservedly, the most-recommended Security+ resource anywhere. On top of the free videos, live study groups and weekly pop quizzes, the paid practice exams include three full 90-question exams written to match the real exam's feel — with multiple-choice and performance-based questions, plus detailed explanations. It's an excellent, low-cost foundation.

Best for: anyone who wants a proven, free-first path, then affordable practice exams to test readiness.

Jason Dion (Dion Training) — exam-realistic timed practice

Dion Training's SY0-701 practice tests are a long-time favorite for realistic drilling: six full-length exams of 90 questions each (540 total), each timed to 90 minutes to mirror real conditions, with explanations for every question. They're frequently on sale on Udemy and are a strong way to build timed-exam stamina.

Best for: candidates who want exam-accurate, full-length timed practice to benchmark readiness.

ExamCompass — free topic quizzes

ExamCompass offers free, ad-supported Security+ quizzes organized by topic. Explanations are brief and it isn't a full mock-exam simulator, but for a zero-cost way to warm up on a specific domain it does the job.

Best for: a free, quick warm-up on individual objectives.

CompTIA CertMaster Practice — the official option

CompTIA's own CertMaster Practice is an adaptive tool that quizzes you, identifies gaps, and re-tests weak areas. As the official product it's tightly aligned to the objectives; it's a paid tool, and many candidates use it alongside a video course rather than as their only question source.

Best for: people who want an official, adaptive review layer.

Certsqill — a detailed explanation on every answer

Certsqill's SY0-701 bank has 500 questions mapped to the exam objectives. Instead of a static answer key, a detailed explanation covers why the correct option is right and why each distractor is wrong, in context, and a dashboard tracks accuracy per domain — so you know whether to drill threats, architecture, operations, or governance next. You can try 20 questions free with no credit card; the full course is a $49 one-time purchase with lifetime access, free updates, and a pass-or-refund guarantee.

Best for: learners who retain more from per-answer explanations and want weak-spot targeting.

Which should you choose?

A common winning combination: Professor Messer's free videos for concepts, then two question banks — one for full-length timed realism (Dion) and one for richer per-answer explanations and weak-spot targeting (Certsqill). All are inexpensive next to the ~$392 exam fee and a retake.

The bottom line

For a free-first path, Professor Messer is the safest recommendation, with Jason Dion's timed practice tests a superb complement. Choose Certsqill when per-answer explanations and weak-spot analytics fit how you learn, or when Security+ is one of several exams on your roadmap. Whatever you pick, practice PBQs and full-length timed sets — that's what separates a pass from a near-miss.

Related reading: Security+ question patterns to watch for, is Security+ worth it?, and the free CompTIA Security+ exam guide.