The SY0-301 exam is a CompTIA certifying examination that will provide individuals with the skills necessary to be able to implement and troubleshoot security issues. By passing the SY0-301 examination, an individual will be certified with a CompTIA Security Plus certification. This entry level certification will allow an individual to take more advanced certifications, such as the MCSE, CISSP, CCNP, and CCIE certifications.
There are six objectives that are covered on the examination. These objectives are access control, system security solutions, cyptography, assessments and audits, network infrastructures, and organizational security. Individuals wishing to take the SY0-301 exam will not need to possess any prerequisites prior to taking the test. However, it is encouraged that individuals taking the exam have at least one to two years working experience within the field of network security.
Prior to taking the examination, an applicant must register via the Pearson VUE website. The examination contains one hundred multiple choice questions. Applicants will be given a total of ninety minutes to complete the examination in entirety. A minimum passing score of 765 must be obtained in order to receive a certificate.
The 765 score is graded on a sliding grade scale. The sliding grade scale goes from 100-900. Before taking the examination, students are recommended to carefully study all of 
the exam objectives. Even though the questions are arranged in a multiple choice fashion, this does not ensure that passing the test is going to be seamless. There are many preparation tools that students are able to use, helping to ensure their success.