The short answer
The SY0-801 exam has a maximum of 90 questions, which mix multiple-choice and performance-based questions. You get 90 minutes. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. The exam is offered in English. CompTIA expects the exam to launch on or around November 17, 2026.
Key numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam code | SY0-801 (V8) |
| Number of questions | Maximum of 90 |
| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
| Length | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 (scale of 100 to 900) |
| Language | English |
| Recommended experience | Security administrator with two years of hands-on experience |
“Maximum of 90” means you may see fewer. CompTIA does not publish how many questions of each type you will get, so do not plan around a fixed split.
Question types
Multiple-choice questions give you a stem and a set of options. Some ask for one answer, others ask you to choose two or more. Read the instruction at the end of the stem, because it tells you how many to select. Our guide to exam question types explains the common patterns and how to read them.
Performance-based questions (often shortened to PBQs) put you in a small simulated task instead of a plain list of options. Typical examples in security exams include matching controls to scenarios, ordering steps in a process, placing devices in a network diagram, or configuring a rule set. CompTIA’s pages say the exam includes performance-based questions but do not describe the format in detail, so treat any specific claim about them from other sources with caution.
A practical tip: a performance-based question usually takes longer than a multiple-choice question. Some candidates flag it, answer the quicker questions first, and come back. The software normally lets you mark questions for review, but check the tutorial at the start of your session.
Time per question
With 90 minutes and up to 90 questions, you have about one minute per question on average. Multiple-choice questions can often be done in under a minute, which leaves extra time for the performance-based ones. If you are slower on long scenario stems, you will feel the pressure, so practice reading quickly and finding the deciding detail.
Scoring
The score is on a scale of 100 to 900, and 750 is the passing mark. That number is not a percentage of correct answers. CompTIA does not publish how raw answers convert to the scaled score, and questions may carry different weight. Do not try to calculate “how many can I miss”. Aim to be well above the line in practice instead.
Language
SY0-801 is listed in English only on the vendor page. If you are used to a version 7 exam in another language, note that the older exam has a longer language list than the new one at launch.
Delivery
CompTIA exams are delivered through Pearson VUE. You can normally choose between a test center and an online proctored session from home, using the same booking process. The vendor’s help pages describe both options. Because the SY0-801 page does not itself spell out delivery, confirm the options in your CompTIA account when you book.
If you test online, you need a private room, a working webcam and a computer that passes the system check. Plan to run that check days before the exam, not on the day. Our exam day guide covers what to prepare for either option.
Retake policy
CompTIA’s general retake policy says:
- There is no waiting period between your first and second attempt.
- Before a third attempt, and any later one, you must wait at least 14 calendar days from your last attempt.
- You pay the exam fee for every attempt. There are no free retakes.
- You cannot retake an exam you have passed under the same exam code without CompTIA’s consent.
Read the current retake policy before you book, because policies can change. For the cost side of planning, see certification costs.
When does V8 replace V7?
The previous version, SY0-701, is scheduled to retire on June 11, 2027 for English, and on August 13, 2027 for Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai. SY0-801 is expected to retire about three years after its own launch, though CompTIA calls that an estimate. If you are choosing between the two, check your employer’s requirements and the dates before booking.
Using this information
Knowing the format helps you practice the right way. Time yourself. Practice reading scenarios for the one detail that decides the answer. Get used to flagging a question and moving on. Our study plan shows where to fit timed sets.
FAQ
Is every question the same weight?
CompTIA does not say. Scoring is scaled, and the vendor does not publish how individual questions count.
Can I go back to earlier questions?
Most CompTIA exams let you flag questions and review them before you finish. Confirm in the on-screen instructions of your session.
How many performance-based questions will I get?
CompTIA does not publish a number. Expect some, and prepare to spend more time on them.
Are the practice tests the same format as the real exam?
Our sets use multiple-choice and multi-select questions. They train the knowledge and the pacing, but they do not simulate performance-based tasks.
More guides for SY0-801
- SY0-801 Domains Explained With Examples
- SY0-801 Sample Questions With Explanations
- Is the Security+ SY0-801 Exam Hard?
- SY0-801 Prerequisites and Recommended Experience
- SY0-801 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is SY0-801 Worth It? An Honest Look
- SY0-801 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- SY0-801 vs CY0-001: Which Exam First?
- SY0-801 vs CS0-004: Which Exam First?
- N10-009 vs SY0-801: Which First?
Next step
Once you know the format, the study plan turns it into a schedule. When you want timed practice, the SY0-801 practice tests are there for you.