Which exam should you take next?

Pick the cert you have and the job you want. You get the path one exam at a time, with free questions and the pack for every step.

I have
I want to work as

Your next exam: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)

Network+ is on this path. 3 exams to go.

You have: CompTIA Network+. Optional now: CompTIA A+ Core 1, CompTIA A+ Core 2.

  1. Step 1You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)

    CompTIA's entry-level exam: mobile devices, hardware, networking basics and troubleshooting.

    Free questions128 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD512 questions

  2. Step 2You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)

    Operating systems, security, software troubleshooting and operational procedures. You need Core 1 and Core 2 to earn A+.

    Free questions104 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD414 questions

  3. Step 3You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)

    How networks are built, run, secured and fixed. CompTIA recommends A+ and some hands-on networking first.

    Free questions192 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD769 questions

  4. Step 4You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)

    The broad security baseline and the usual first security cert. CompTIA recommends Network+ first.

    Free questions153 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD611 questions

  5. Step 5You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003)

    Analyst work: security operations, vulnerability management, incident response and reporting.

    Free questions160 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD641 questions

  6. Step 6You have thisYour next examOptional now

    CompTIA SecurityX (CAS-005)

    CompTIA's expert-level security exam, for senior security engineers and architects.

    Free questions120 real questionsPack, $39.00 USD482 questions

Also worth a look: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200, if your team runs Microsoft Sentinel and Defender. CompTIA CySA+ CS0-004, the newer version of CySA+.

The order follows each vendor's own recommendations. Where a vendor sets a firm requirement, the step says so. Check the vendor's site before you book.

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Common questions

What should I take after Security+?

For analyst work, CySA+ (CS0-003). For penetration testing, PenTest+ (PT0-003). For security management, CISSP or CISM, which both also ask for years of work experience.

What comes after Network+?

Security+ if you want to move into security, or Cisco CCNA (200-301) if you want to stay in networking.

Which AWS exam comes first?

Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) covers the basics. Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) is the usual next step, then Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02). AWS does not make you take them in order.