What are the best practice tests for CompTIA certifications?
The most reliable CompTIA practice test providers are MeasureUp (CompTIA's authorized practice test partner), Jason Dion (Udemy), and Professor Messer. MeasureUp provides questions closest in style to actual CompTIA exams. Jason Dion's Udemy courses include high-volume practice banks with strong explanations. Professor Messer's practice exams are concise and precisely aligned with CompTIA objectives. For Security+ SY0-701 specifically, both MeasureUp and Jason Dion are the top two choices with the highest community ratings.
CompTIA offers a tightly structured certification progression from A+ through Network+, Security+, and into advanced certifications like CySA+, CASP+, and CCSP. Each exam uses the same format: up to 90 questions, 90-minute time limit, 750/900 passing score for most certifications. Understanding how to use practice tests effectively within this structured exam format significantly improves pass rates.
CompTIA Exam Format Reference
| Certification | Code | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ Core 1 | 220-1101 | 90 | 90 min | 675/900 |
| A+ Core 2 | 220-1102 | 90 | 90 min | 700/900 |
| Network+ | N10-009 | 90 | 90 min | 720/900 |
| Security+ | SY0-701 | 90 | 90 min | 750/900 |
| CySA+ | CS0-003 | 85 | 165 min | 750/900 |
| CASP+ | CAS-004 | 90 | 165 min | Pass/Fail |
| Cloud+ | CV0-004 | 90 | 90 min | 750/900 |
Question types on CompTIA exams:
- Multiple choice (single answer): standard format
- Multiple response: select two or three correct answers
- Performance-based questions (PBQs): drag-and-drop, fill-in, simulation; typically 3-5 per exam
MeasureUp (CompTIA Authorized Partner)
MeasureUp is CompTIA's official practice test partner. Their questions are developed using the same exam blueprints as actual CompTIA exams.
Strengths:
- Authorized content, highest alignment with actual exam style
- Includes performance-based question (PBQ) simulations
- Study mode with detailed explanations
- Certification mode with timed scoring
- Pass guarantee on many certifications
Score benchmarks on MeasureUp:
- 70-74%: continue studying, particularly weak domains
- 75-79%: approaching readiness
- 80%+: strong candidate for the actual exam
Best for: Final-stage practice testing when you want format accuracy and PBQ simulation.
"MeasureUp is the gold standard for CompTIA format alignment. The actual exam feels very similar to MeasureUp's question style. If you are scoring consistently above 80% on MeasureUp, you are in excellent shape for the actual test." -- CompTIA certification community feedback
Jason Dion (Udemy)
Jason Dion is a retired military officer and IT professional who has built one of the most popular CompTIA practice test libraries on Udemy. His courses are frequently rated best-sellers in the CompTIA category.
Strengths:
- Very high question volume: Security+ practice bank includes 700+ questions across six practice exams
- Detailed video explanations for complex topics
- Strong coverage of tricky questions that appear on actual exams
- Frequently updated for current exam versions (SY0-701, N10-009)
- Typically $14.99 on Udemy sales (regular: $89.99)
Score benchmarks on Jason Dion:
- Jason Dion questions are slightly harder than MeasureUp
- Consistent 75%+ on Dion = very likely ready for actual exam
Best for: Primary practice test bank for Security+, Network+, and A+. Use all six exams in full, then switch to MeasureUp for final-week format calibration.
Professor Messer
Professor Messer offers free video training content and paid practice exams for CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+).
Strengths:
- Precisely objective-aligned: each question maps to a specific CompTIA objective
- Explanations cite specific exam objectives, helping candidates understand coverage gaps
- Practice exams available in SY0-701, N10-009, 220-1101, 220-1102 versions
Score benchmarks on Professor Messer:
- Messer's practice exams are generally considered similar in difficulty to actual exams
- Aim for 75%+ consistently
Best for: Candidates who want high objective precision and are also using Messer's free video content. Pair with Jason Dion for volume.
CompTIA CertMaster Practice
CompTIA's own adaptive practice tool, CertMaster Practice, uses learning science to adjust question delivery based on your performance history.
Strengths:
- Adaptive learning: questions in weak areas appear more frequently
- Confidence ratings allow you to flag uncertain knowledge
- Official CompTIA content
- Linked to CompTIA learning objectives
Limitations:
- Subscription cost (standalone CertMaster Practice is $100-180)
- Less volume than Udemy providers for the price
- Adaptive mode can feel disconnected from actual timed exam experience
Best for: Candidates who prefer adaptive learning systems and have access through employer benefits or a CompTIA training bundle.
How to Approach Performance-Based Questions
Performance-based questions (PBQs) appear on all current CompTIA exams (typically 3-5 per exam). They require drag-and-drop, configuration, or simulation interaction. Most practice test platforms simulate PBQs in static form (scenario with selection), but MeasureUp and CompTIA's CertMaster Practice include more interactive simulations.
PBQ strategy:
- Skip PBQs on your first pass through the exam -- complete all standard multiple choice questions first
- Return to PBQs with remaining time; they take 3-10 minutes each
- On CompTIA exams, PBQs appear at the beginning -- do not spend 15 minutes on the first question; flag and return
Common PBQ types by certification:
- A+: matching hardware to slot types, arranging troubleshooting steps
- Network+: completing a network diagram, configuring firewall rules
- Security+: identifying attack types in a scenario, arranging security controls
Security+ SY0-701 Specific Practice Strategy
Security+ is the most popular CompTIA certification and the one most candidates take their first time with significant preparation. The SY0-701 version (current as of 2024) has a heavier emphasis on threat analysis and security operations than previous versions.
Domain weights for SY0-701:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| General Security Concepts | 12% |
| Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations | 22% |
| Security Architecture | 18% |
| Security Operations | 28% |
| Security Program Management | 20% |
With Security Operations at 28%, practice questions that test incident response processes, log analysis, and SIEM concepts are particularly valuable. Ensure your practice test provider has strong coverage of this domain.
Recommended practice schedule for SY0-701:
- Week 5-6 (mid-study): Take Practice Exam 1 (Jason Dion); identify domain weaknesses
- Week 7: Targeted study based on diagnostic results
- Week 8: Practice Exams 2 and 3; track domain score improvement
- Week 9: Practice Exams 4 and 5; also take Professor Messer exam for objective alignment
- Week 10 (final): MeasureUp exam for format calibration; review weak areas only
"The SY0-701 exam tests application of security concepts, not memorization. You will see scenarios describing a company's environment and be asked what is wrong, what the attacker is doing, or which control to implement. Practice exams that only ask 'what is a buffer overflow?' will not prepare you as well as those that describe an attack and ask you to identify it." -- Security+ preparation guidance
Network+ N10-009 Specific Strategy
Network+ tests both conceptual knowledge (OSI model, protocols, subnetting) and practical troubleshooting scenarios. The N10-009 version added significant coverage of cloud networking and wireless technologies.
High-priority practice areas for N10-009:
- Subnetting: expect 3-8 calculation questions per exam
- OSI model layer identification: which layer does this device/protocol operate at?
- Troubleshooting methodology: which step comes next in diagnosing this issue?
- Wireless standards: 802.11ax vs ac vs n vs g speeds and frequencies
Subnetting practice: Do subnetting calculations by hand on every practice exam. If you cannot subnet a /26 in 90 seconds without a calculator, add dedicated subnetting practice sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many practice tests should I take for CompTIA Security+? Most candidates benefit from four to six full-length practice exams (360-540 questions) plus targeted topic-specific mini-exams for weak domains. With Jason Dion's six-exam set plus MeasureUp's exam, you will have approximately 700 questions -- sufficient for most candidates. Quality of review (wrong-answer analysis) matters more than raw question count.
Can I pass CompTIA certifications using only free resources and free practice tests? Professor Messer's free video content covers CompTIA objectives comprehensively. His paid practice exams ($15-30) provide objective-aligned testing. Using free video content plus paid practice exams from one provider is a cost-effective approach. Official CompTIA sample questions (free) should also be included. Candidates who cannot afford paid practice exam subscriptions can study effectively with free videos and lower-cost Udemy exam banks.
Are CompTIA exams harder than the practice tests? Most candidates find the actual CompTIA exam similar in difficulty to their practice tests from MeasureUp or Jason Dion when they have consistently scored 75%+. The unfamiliar environment (testing center, timed conditions) can feel more stressful than practicing at home, which is why simulating exam conditions during practice is important.
References
- CompTIA. (2024). CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Objectives. https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security
- CompTIA. (2024). CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Exam Objectives. https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network
- CompTIA. (2024). CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives (220-1101 and 220-1102). https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a
- MeasureUp. (2024). CompTIA practice tests and authorized partner information. https://www.measureup.com
- Professor Messer. (2024). CompTIA practice exam resources. https://www.professormesser.com
- Jason Dion Training. (2024). CompTIA Security+ practice tests. https://www.diontraining.com