We recommend you take the Security+ SY0-701 if you haven't started to study for the Security+ certification. If you have already spent time and money studying to earn the SY0-501, we recommend that you take the SY0-501. The CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 covers six domains, while the new SY0-701 exam only covers five domains that mainly focus on the skillsets needed for current industry roles. The new CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam covers fewer topics (exam objectives) than the SY0-501 exam.