Even though the VCP5 exam is only 5 weeks old at the time of writing, there are some amazing resources already available to help with those preparing for the exam.
I've always been an advocate of trying to prepare yourself using the official resources that VMware make available - the exam blueprint tells you what aspects of vSphere 5 you will get tested on, the exam format, number of questions, time limit, and the scoring system. The exam blueprint makes references to the official vSphere 5 documentation, which VMware validate the exam items against, and the mock exam gives a decent indication of the exam format. The VCP community forum is an excellent way of asking VCP5-related questions and getting furter information.
VCP5 homepage
VCP5 exam blueprint
VCP5 mock exam
VCP community forum
vSphere 5 documentation
A project that I completed towards the end of 2011 was an exclusive 1-day VCP5 workshop designed to focus you on the VCP5 exam and give you the chance to attempt over 100 practice questions, complete with questions/discussions with a VCI and others preparing for the exam.
Global Knowledge VCP5 Exam Preparation Workshop
Something that VMware don't publish is an expanded exam blueprint that includes all the relevant study notes, however there are a number of sites where people have done exactly that - be careful when using these study notes in case they're not accurate in comparison to the official documentation.
Forbes Guthrie's vReference card for vSphere 5
Forbes Guthrie's vReference documentation notes for vSphere 5
Prep Guide for VCP5.0
Andre Mauro's vInfrastructure VCP5 notes
There are a number of people in the VMware community that write and publish their own practice questions, normally as part of their own preparations - it should be noted that these do not necessarily indicate the types and styles of questions you will get in the real exam, and the accuracy of these practice exams cannot be guaranteed either.
Robert Stothard's VCP5 practice questions
Simon Long's VCP5 practice exams
Paul McSharry's VCP5 practice questions
To finish, here are a couple of exam experience blog posts from people that have taken the exam themselves, including me!
My review of the VCP5 exam
Eric Sloof's VCP5 exam experience
Brian Tobia's VCP5 exam thoughts and experience
Best of luck to anyone taking their VCP5 exam, I hope the resources above will prove useful to you!
nice blog.
ReplyDeleteDo you know of a VCP 5 Book from Sybex or others?
There is at least one VCP5 book being written at the moment, the links above all point to resources that are free and available now. Scott.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a nice article - did helped me a lot, hope to find it easy during exam.
ReplyDeleteJust a note for VCP5 candidates in Australia and New Zealand that VMware have launched a VCP5 promotion that includes free VCP Exam Prep Workshop and VCP Exam Voucher if the candidate books and sits on the VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.0] course
ReplyDeleteMore details are:
http://www.powercloud.com.au/vmware-training/campaigns/vmware-vcp5-first-to-certify.html
cheers
-Tim
can i take vcp 5 exam without go to any training ? I am fresh in this fields.
ReplyDeletethx
@Anonymous (2 November 2011), if you are fresh you would probably stand little chance of passing the exam, and you would not be VCP5-certified until you have also completed an official vSphere 5 training course. I would definitely recommend you look at the vSphere 5: Install Configure Manage training.
ReplyDeleteNice and short information..good links..This will be very helpful for me during my VCP5 prep..NISH
ReplyDeletehow many successfull questions are needed in order to pass the VCP5 exam.The total number of questions are 85.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance
@Anonymous (6 November 2011) - there's no such concept as that, the score does not equate to a number of questions or a percentage. All you can do is be as well-prepared as possible, and try and answer as many questions correct as you can (wouldn't you do that regardless of how the scoring worked?) Scott.
ReplyDeleteSybex will be releasing their VCP5 Study Books in May 2012.
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteLots of blogs saying exam is more difficult has the it become adaptive and looks for weaknesses and exploits on them?
Doing Blueprint on Workstation with 3 hosts with several years experience and booking exam for 10th Feb so can get in before 29th deadline.
Is there anywhere offering free vouchers for retests?
@Anonymous (4 January 2012) - I did post my own review of the exam, I need to add it into the main body of this post, but click on the VCP5 tab and you'll find it. There are not free re-take promotions available at this time. Scott.
ReplyDelete