Version 5 Certifications

Here's my archive of version 5 VMware certification pages:

Data Center Virtualisation
VCP5-DCV
VCAP5-DCA
VCAP5-DCD
VCDX-DCV

Cloud
VCP-Cloud
VCAP-Cloud - now fully retired
VCDX-Cloud

Desktop
VCP5-DT - now fully retired
VCAP5-DT - now fully retired
VCDX5-DT

Network Virtualisation
NSX Training and Certifications

VCP recertification deadline extended, VCP6 discount for those who've already recertified

VMware have announced today that the original VCP recertification deadline of March 10th 2015 has now been extended til May 8th 2015.

This has been done for 2 reasons:

1. To allow extra time for partners and customers who have not had sufficient notification to be able to meet the deadline.
2. To reflect a problem with the myLearn system over the weekend that prevented people from gaining authorisation for the VCP550D exam.

This is great news if you haven't yet done your recertification.

The options to recertify have not changed - you can still take a VCP exam in another discipline, a VCAP exam in the same or another discipline, or if you're a VCP in the DCV discipline you can take the "delta" VCP550D exam - this special exam will also now remain available til May 8th.

But what about those who DID meet the original March 10th deadline? (Like me!)

Well there's some great news there too - you'll get 65% off a VCP6 exam from when they become available through to August 31st 2015!

If you want to find out more, check out this blog post on vmware.com:

Return of the Delta Exam

UPDATE: The VCP550D exam is now available til September 30th 2015.

VMware made a "delta" exam available (VCP550D) for those who were VCP5-DCV holders and wished to recertify - initially this exam was only available til the end of November 2014, but it's now been resurrected and will remain available til March 10th 2015 September 30th 2015.

Read more about the exam on this blog post.

Confirmation of the resurrection can be found on the VMware Education & Certification Blog.

Quickest option to recertify your VCP5-DCV

VMware created a special exam for those wanting to recertify their VCP5-DCV - a delta exam for those who have passed the vSphere 5.0/5.1 exam - the code is VCP550D.

It's only available for a limited time, you can take it from any location, it's a lower cost than a regular VCP exam too.

Find out more here: VMware Education and Certification blog

You can download the exam blueprint and request exam authorisation here: VCP5-DCV Delta Recertification Exam page

Some quick tips:

1. Only request authorisation when you're ready to take the exam as you only get 48 hours from authorisation time to take the exam itself.
2. Focus on the 5.5-specific elements of the blueprint.

Update: The VCP550D exam was originally only available til November 30th 2014, but it has now been made available til March 10th 2015 which gives all VCP5-DCV holders the chance to recertify.

Recertification policy for VCP level certifications

Well here's a change in policy from VMware - those that hold VCP-level certifications will now have to recertify in order to retain their certification and all the related benefits.

Here's the official announcement on the new policy:

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=46667&ui=www_cert

There are 2 milestones to watch out for:

- If you earned all your VCP level certifications prior to March 10th 2013 you have til March 10th 2015 to recertify
- If you earned your most recent VCP level certification since March 10th 2013 you have 2 years from the date you earned that certification to recertify

You can recertify in any of these ways:

- Pass the current exam for the VCP level certification in the same discipline
- Pass the current VCP level exam in another discipline
- Pass a current VCAP level exam in the same or another discipline

Note: there is no training requirement for recertification - this is a shift in policy as previously individuals would have to take a What's New class (in the case of DCV) or even a full class as part of updating their VCP certification to a new version once a grace period had passed

Today there are 3 disciplines that have VCP certifications - Data Center Virtualisation, Cloud, and Desktop - expect to see VCP for additional disciplines such as Networking Virtualisation added in the future.

If you do not recertify by the relevant milestone your certification will be revoked and you will no longer be entitled to use the certification logo or represent yourself as VMware certified. To regain certified status, you will need to meet all the prerequisites for the specific certification.

At this time there are no recertification policies for VCA, VCAP, or VCDX certifications - but I suspect that will change in the future so watch out for other announcements.

VCP5-DCV now updated for vSphere 5.5

Now here's a first: Two different vSphere 5 exams for the VCP5-DCV...

VMware have launched a new exam which is specific to vSphere 5.5, and it has it's own dedicated code with PearsonVUE - VCP550.

As it aligns specifically to vSphere 5.5, the topics covered have also been updated to reflect the latest features - there's coverage of Single Sign-On, the vSphere Web Client, Data Protection, vSphere Replication, vFlash cache, and also vCenter Operations Manager (reflective of the move towards vSphere with Operations Management by VMware and their customers)

As well as being specific to 5.5, the exam format has also been changed to bring it in line with the other VCP exams for Cloud and Desktop - it's now 135 questions in 120 minutes. (The total length of the appointment when booking the exam will shows as 135 minutes as 15 minutes is allocated to a survey)

Passing either exam will achieve VCP5-DCV certification, so those already certified do not need to take the new exam - although they can if they choose.

Josh Andrews from the Certification team has posted a great article on his blog that talks more about the new exam: Link to Josh's blog

Josh mentions that the old VCP510 exam (for 5.0/5.1) and the new VCP550 exam will both be available for a "limited time", although the length of the period isn't stated on his blog post or mentioned anywhere on vmware.com

My recommendation if you're starting to prepare for your VCP5-DCV certification - get trained on vSphere 5.5 and look to take the VCP550 exam - good luck!

VCP - Common Questions

VMware have their own landing page and FAQ page for their certifications, but I get emails and have conversations with people all the time who ask me questions like the ones below - so I thought I'd share them with you here...

If I haven't answered your question below, you can always email me at vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

Can I self-study for a VCP?
No you cannot - VCPs have always had a training requirement for first-time achievers.

Once you achieve your first VCP, there is always an "upgrade" path to the VCP on the next major version, and for achieving VCPs in other solution areas - so long as you don't let your VCP expire.

How many different VCPs are there?
VMware have 4 different technology areas that have a solution-specific VCP certification: (core products in brackets)

DCV = Data Center Virtualisation (vSphere & vSAN)
DTM = Desktop & Mobility (Horizon with View)
CMA = Cloud Management & Automation (vRealize)
NV = Network Virtualisation (NSX)

Why do I have to pass 2 exams for a VCP certification?
Each solution-specific VCP requires that you pass 2 exams:

1. vSphere Foundations
2. VCP exam for that solution

vSphere Foundations is classed as a "core" exam for all 4 of the solution-specific VCPs - the same exam is listed as a requirement for each of those VCPs, and you only need to pass it once regardless of how many solution-specific VCPs you want to achieve.

Each solution-specific VCP then has it's own exam, titled the same as the VCP itself - each of which only includes questions on the products for that particular VCP.

Are there certifications for major versions only, or minor versions too?
VCP certifications relate to the major version only - so for all vSphere 6.x versions there is just a single certification, VCP6-DCV.

Are there exams for major versions only, or minor versions too?
VMware don't always release exams for every minor version, but significant minor versions do get their own exams - this is made clear in the exam titles and objectives.

Using vSphere 5.x as an example - the exam VCP510 was originally for vSphere 5.0, when vSphere 5.1 was released the VCP510 was updated to make it applicable to both 5.0/5.1, but the vSphere 5.5 release saw a VCP550 exam that was specific to that version.

The simple answer is - it's best to check the titles and objectives for an exam.

Can I mix minor versions of training and exams for the same certification?
Yes, absolutely! Using VCP6-DCV as an example - you could be trained on vSphere 6.0, pass the vSphere 6.0 version of the vSphere Foundations exam, but then pass the vSphere 6.5 version of the VCP6-DCV exam (due for release in April 2017).

So long as the major version matches for all of the requirements - you're good.

Do I have to do the training before the exam(s)?
No, it is not essential to take the training first, although it is recommended. You can also pass exams in the "wrong" order - so the VCP6-DCV exam before the vSphere Foundations exam, if you wish. You'll achieve the certification once you've completed all of the requirements.

How long can I leave between the training and the exam(s)?
Technically, you can leave as long a gap as you want - the only deadline is the future availability of the training and the exam for that major version.

For VCP6-DCV, as long as you can get trained on one of the qualifying vSphere classes (6.0 or 6.5) and the vSphere Foundations and VCP6-DCV exams are available for you to attempt, you can achieve the certification.

Does a VCP expire?
Yes - after 2 years from completion. VMware announced a recertification policy for VCP-level certifications on March 10th 2014.

If you want to stay VCP certified in the future, do not let your existing VCP expire - read this post to learn more.

Must I visit a testing centre each time I want to attempt a VCP exam?
Every VMware exam is classed as either "proctored" or "non-proctored" - you can check this status on the page for the specific exam you want to take.

"Non-proctored" exams, such as vSphere Foundations, can be taken from any location with internet access - but "proctored" exams must be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Can I get a free re-take or any other discount?
Check this promotions page for any special offers.

New certification: VMware Certified Professional 5 - Infrastructure as a Service

VMware have confirmed that they will be launching their first cloud certification - VMware Certified Professional 5 - Infrastructure as a Service (VCP5-IaaS).

The certification is based around vSphere 5 and vCloud Director 1.5, and is designed for those who have the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure and administer a vCloud environment.

The beta period for the exam is running at the moment, and if the past is any indication it should be around 6-8 weeks from now when the final exam is released.

Here's a couple of useful links:

VMware Education and Certification blog announcement
Eric Sloof's NTPRO.NL blog

So far I've found these posts from people who've taken the beta exam:

Manish Patel
Tomi Hakala

As usual, I will update this blog as and when further information becomes available including the final exam blueprint, and add more blog reports from those who take the exam.

Current paths to VCP5 - March 2012

VMware launched the VCP5 certification exam on August 29th 2011, and they had given VCP3 and VCP4 holders a 6-month window in which they could update to VCP5 with little or no training requirement.

As of March 1st 2012, that window closed, meaning that from this point forward these are the paths to achieve VCP5:





Note that if you are a VCP2 or VCP3 holder that certification now doesn't qualify you for any form of VCP "upgrade" and you must take a full 5-day vSphere 5 training course.

VCP4 holders have the option of attending just the 2-day What's New training course, they can also take the 5-day courses if they wish but shouldn't need to do that unless they want a refresher of some of the fundamental vSphere features. The same applies to those who have attended training that would qualify them for VCP4 certification but have yet to take the VCP4 exam.

New course - vSphere 5: Fast Track

VMware have just released a new course for vSphere 5, and it's a big one, the Fast Track!

The list of topics covered is the largest yet of any VMware course I've come across, there are 17 course modules and 35 lab exercises covering a huge number of vSphere 5 features. Look inside the content and you'll find all of the material we cover in Install Configure Manage, a lot of the higher-level material from What's New, as well as new material not currently available in any other vSphere 5 courses.

I'm not going to copy and paste the full list of topics here, you can find those in the course datasheet, but here's the modules we cover in this course, the modules that contain material not found in Install Configure Manage are in bold:

- Course Introduction
- Introduction to Virtualization
- Create Virtual Machines
- VMware vCenter Server
- Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks
- Configuring and Managing Virtual Storage
- Virtual Machine Management
- Access and Authentication Control
- Resource Management and Monitoring
- High Availability and Fault Tolerance
- Host Scalability
- Network Scalibility
- Storage Scalability
- Data Protection
- Patch Management
- vSphere Management Assistant
- Installing VMware Components

This course is going to give you the best preparation for the VCP5 certification exam of any official vSphere 5 training available today, and you should definitely consider it instead of Install Configure Manage if VCP5 certification is a primary goal for you or your employer. The course does count towards the training requirement for VCP5.

Be prepared though, although this is still a 5-day course it will take place over extended hours - expect the days to run from 9:00am-7:00pm. If you're completely new to vSphere 5 you might find the pace and volume of material covered a challenge, consider the regular Install Configure Manage course instead.

Global Knowledge UK are running vSphere 5: Fast Track courses, there are a number of dates available now, additional dates will be added in the coming weeks.

New course - VCP5 Exam Preparation Workshop

A project I was working on towards the end of 2011 was the Global Knowledge vSphere Exam Preparation Workshop for VCP5. It's a unique 1-day workshop that's designed to maximise your chances of getting the best score possible when you take your VCP5 exam.

I first developed a workshop for VCP4, we've run that in the UK many times over the last couple of years and given attendees a real boost in terms of focus, confidence, readiness, and knowledge.

I have some excellent connections within the Certification team at VMware, which allows me to have a good insight into how the VCP exam items are designed, and I'm now a 4-time VCP after passing the VCP5 exam myself in November 2011 so I have a very good understanding of what is required in terms of not only knowledge but exam technique as well.

We start the day by reviewing the exam format and giving lots of study and exam tips, then we go through the all-important exam blueprint, section by section, and ask you over 100 practice questions that you won't find anywhere else! The practice questions are written in the same style as those in the real exam, and try really hard to pull all the same tricks too! Each question comes with an explanation of the question and answer(s), and of course questions can be discussed with the instructor and other attendees.

I recommend attending the workshop a couple of weeks before attempting the real exam, to highlight areas that need improvement, enhance your exam-taking technique, or to provide additional focus as the "big day" gets close.
 
Global Knowledge offer the workshop as a 1-day instructor-led event at locations across the UK, some of the scheduled dates are delivered using Webex instead, this page will show you the dates we currently have available.
 
The workshop also forms part of our VMware Bundles, which are cost-effective ways of attending any required vSphere 5 training, attending the workshop, and also receiving a voucher that covers the cost of the VCP5 exam.

Are you a VCP3 who wants to gain VCP5?

Are you a VCP3 holder who wants to gain VCP5? If so, your options today are:

1. Attend a vSphere: What's New [v5] course and pass the VCP5 exam
or
2. Attend a vSphere: Install Configure Manage [v5] course and pass the VCP5 exam

The difference between the two options is roughly £1700 (excluding VAT) in course fees, What's New is only a 2-day course whereas Install Configure Manage is a 5-day course.

But, option 1 will only remain an option until 29th February 2012! Global Knowledge are running a number of What's New courses in January and February to help those who want to update their VCP3 to take advantage of this.

The best offer we have includes our unique 1-day VCP5 exam preparation workshop and an exam voucher that pays for the VCP5 exam - the price is almost the same as the What's New course fee alone. Take a look at Bundle 2 on our VMware Bundles page.

Exam review - VCP5

I've taken the VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 5 (VCP5) exam today, not only is it part of my requirements as a VMware Certified Instrucor (VCI) but it also makes a lot of sense for me personally to update my VCP to the latest version.

So, what's the exam like? Well I'll tell you as much as I can, and what I think is relevant to those of you preparing to take it yourselves...

The VCP5 exam is the same format as VCP4 in terms of the basic format, for those of you doing your first VCP exam, you will be faced with 85 multiple-choice questions that you have 90 minutes to answer, and a good number of the questions will require you to choose multiple answers - I'd say about 50% of the items I saw today - as always with VCP exams when that's the case you'll be told "choose two" or however many answers are required.

As a VCI I was required by VMware to take a VCI-specific version of the exam that has a higher passing score than the regular VCP exam that the majority of you will take, but the items in the VCI and VCP exams are the same. The passing score for the VCP exam is 300, the scoring system is scaled and does not represent any kind of percentage - I had to score at least 350 to pass my VCI exam and I'm glad to report that I achieved that by some margin - I never give out my exact scores to anyone, so don't ask :-)

The items themselves definitely demand a combination of two skills around the vSphere features tested on in order to answer them effectively:
- a deep knowledge of the concepts, features, requirements, and limitations
- hands-on experience

As has been reported by a good number of others who've taken the exam, there are hardly any items that you could answer just by having memorized a maximum number - I got no questions like that at all. There are items with screenshots shown as exhibits, and you will get some items that go "beyond the vSphere Client" and test you on your knowledge of some of the command-line tools and other interfaces available that an administrator would use to interact with vSphere.

I have to say that VMware are very fair in the objectives they publish in the VCP Exam Blueprint guide - I was tested on most of the objectives, but nothing that I would class as being outside those objectives. You will also get questions on technologies and concepts around the subject too, exactly as it mentions in the blueprint, without giving too much away I was asked about other VMware products, hardware components used as part of a vSphere infrastructure, and white fluffy things you find in the sky too!

I would definitely suggest you take a look at the other VCP5-related posts on my blog as part of your preparations, click the VCP5 tab towards the top for links to the key posts, including pointers to some excellent study resources.

Best of luck to anyone preparing for their VCI or VCP exam, I hope you've found this particular post and many of my other posts useful!

Studying for the VCP5 exam

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
Preetam Zare's Prep Guide for VCP5.0
Andre Mauro's vInfrastructure VCP5 notes
Mike Preston's VCP5 study notes - with practice questions
Jason Langer's VCP5 study guide

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
Mike Preston's VCP5 practice questions - with study notes

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!

VCP5 information and preparation

This page contains a collection of links to some of the key VCP5-related posts on this blog.

Latest Update
VCP recertifcation deadline extended, VCP6 discount for those who've already recertified

General information
New certification: VCP5
Current paths to VCP5 - March 2012
Studying for the VCP5 exam
Review of the VCP5 exam
VCP - Common Questions
VCP5-DCV now updated for vSphere 5.5
Recertification policy
Quickest option for recertification

Preparation
New vSphere 5 training courses
New course - vSphere 5: Fast Track
Exam preparation workshop
Free webinar on vSphere 5 training and certification

Updating to VCP5
How does a VCP3 holder update to VCP5?
Update your VCP4 to VCP5
Gaining VCP4 and VCP5

Number 5 is ALIVE!

So I take a 2-week break and VMware do some BIG things while I'm away - you'd think they would have waited, just for me...

- vSphere 5 is released
- The VCP5 exam is live
- VMWorld has begun

The final VCP5 exam blueprint has now been published, you can download it and find links to numerous other essential items at http://www.vmware.com/go/vcp

And if you want to download vSphere 5, go to http://www.vmware.com/tryvmware

I'm going to be in Copenhagen at VMWorld Europe, if you still haven't registered go to http://www.vmworld.com/community/conference/europe/

New "upgrade" path announced for VCP3 holders to gain VCP5

VMware are announcing this week that there is now a third option available for a VCP3 holder to update their certification to VCP5, here's all three options:

1. Attend vSphere 4: What's New > pass VCP4 exam > pass VCP5 exam.
2. Attend vSphere 5: Install Configure Manage > pass VCP5 exam.
3. Attend vSphere 5: What's New > free vSphere 4: What's New e-learning (optional) > pass VCP5 exam.

I've updated this blog post to include the new path:
http://vmwaretraining.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-does-vcp3-holder-update-to-vcp5.html

Free webinar on vSphere 5: Training and Certification

I am hosting a webinar for Global Knowledge next week, vSphere 5: Training and Certification, where I will be presenting on the latest VMware training curriculum and vSphere certifications. The webinar starts at 4pm UK time on Wednesday August 10th, and you can register here.

Many of you will have seen the blog posts that I published at the time of the vSphere 5 announcement, during the webinar I will be discussing the content of those posts. The presentation should last no more than 45 minutes, with 15 minutes allocated to Q&A - but the session will go on til there's no more questions being fired at me!

We are publicising this webinar right across the EMEA region, but anyone with an interest in this topic is welcome to join the session.

UPDATE (August 30th) : Thanks to all those who joined the session live, for those that couldn't make it here's the link to the recording.

July 28th updates to exam blueprints

A number of VMware certification exam blueprints have been updated to new versions.

vSphere
VCP4 v1.9.2: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-10074
VCP5 beta v1.4: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-16726

View
VCA4-DT v1.2: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-16714
VCP4-DT v1.1: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-16715

It looks like the changes in all the blueprints are minor, but as always it is advisable to use the latest blueprint available to help prepare you for the certification exams.

Blog posts related to vSphere 5 release

I've added NINE new posts to this blog related to the vSphere 5 release:

1. How does a VCP3 holder update to VCP5?
2. Is it worth doing vSphere 4 certifications?
3. New certification - VCP5
4. New vSphere 5 training courses
5. New vCloud Director 1.5 courses
6. New VMware official curriculum
7. Update your VCP4 to VCP5
8. Gaining VCP4 and VCP5

Feel free to email me if you have any questions: vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

Scott.