Combined VCP logos

If you've read my blog before, or have a good awareness of VMware certifications, you should know that VCP (or VCP-DV to use the correct name these days) is specific to a major version of the product.

There are a lot of people around these days who hold more than one VCP certification, including me! I started working with VMware ESX and VirtualCenter back in 2006 and achieved my first VCP in the same year.

One of the benefits of gaining VCP is the right to use the VCP logo on business cards, blogs, etc - but I'd need a business card the size of my iPad to include all my logos! VMware have the ability to create combined logos - a single image file that shows all your VCP versions...

How do you get yours? Well, it's easy - just send an email to certification@vmware.com with your VCP ID and they'll send it back to you. Where's your VCP ID? It's on your myLearn transcript, and your score reports (if you keep them!)

Here's mine:

VCAP5-DCA - Registration is now OPEN!

VMware have advised that registration is now open for the VCAP5-DCA live lab exam.

Here's the official VCAP5-DCA page with links to the blueprint, a video demo of the user interface, and a list of testing centres where you can take the exam:

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=30483&ui=www_cert

This is a vSphere 5 update to the VCAP4-DCA exam, and there are some changes to the vSphere features tested on in the exam - Ed Grigson did a great job of interpreting the exam blueprint (based on the beta exam) here so you don't have to:

VCAP5-DCA - What's New?

One additional thing that's been confirmed is that those who are already VCP4/VCAP4-DCA who pass the VCAP5-DCA exam until October 9th will also be awarded the VCP5 certification - after that date you will only be able to take VCAP5-DCA if you are already a VCP5.

In terms of preparation for the exam, well anyone that's taken the VCAP4-DCA exam will tell you to build a lab and practice, practice, practice!

There is an official instructor-led training class that aligns closely to the exam blueprint items - vSphere: Optimize and Scale [v5.0] - it is not mandatory to take the training but is an excellent class as well as giving you a chance to learn and practice the topics in the exam.

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.

New course: vCenter Operations Manager: Analyze and Predict

VMware have announced the release of the first instructor-led training course for vCenter Operations Manager, titled vCenter Operations Manager: Analyze and Predict [v5.0].

The class is aimed at VMware partners and customers who want to learn how to use vCenter Operations Manager as a forensic and predictive tool.

Here's a brief outline of the topics covered:

- vCenter Operations Management Suite

- Architecture and Concepts

- Dashboards and Badges

- Heat Maps

- Smart Alerts

- Capacity Planning and Reports

- Installing and Configuring vCenter Operations Manager

VMware and VATCs are scheduling this class now for deliveries beginning in July, for more information on the class objectives and to view the latest schedule follow this link:

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=31492

New course: vSphere: Optimize and Scale

VMware recently announced the release of the first higher-level training class for vSphere 5, titled vSphere: Optimize and Scale [v5.0].

It's a 5-day class that follows on from the popular Install Configure Manage class, and it covers a number of high-level aspects and features of vSphere 5, including:

- CLI access to vSphere, and log files

- Performance and optimization for CPU, RAM, networking, and storage

- Distributed virtual switches

- Storage multipathing, vStorage APIs, policy-driven storage and VM storage profiles

- VM and cluster performance guidelines and troubleshooting

- Image Builder

- Host Profiles

- Linked Mode

- Distributed Power Management

- PowerCLI

- Auto Deploy

The content and labs align closely to the forthcoming VCAP5-DCA certification. VMware and VATCs are scheduling this class now, for further information about dates and locations follow this link:

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=31835

Technical/Certification Forums

One of the online contributions I have made over the last 6 years since I began working in virtualization is to contribute on a regular basis to a number of forums. It takes up a lot of time, but I check these forums most days to see if there are questions/discussions that I can contribute to.

VMware Communities
This one is kind of obvious, and I am proud to be a moderator too, most of my work is done in the various Training & Certification areas.

Petri.co.il
Some great technical discussions in the VMware Virtualization area, the occasional VMware-related post in the Other Certifications area.

TechExams.net
A mixture of technical and certification posts in the Virtualization area.

CertForums
Plenty of certification posts in the VMware Certifications area, technical posts can be found in the Virtual Computing area.

I would highly recommend all of these forums to you - I'm scott28tt on all of them - see you on there!

VCAP5-DCD - registration is now open!

VMware have now launched the final VCAP5-DCD exam/certification. This is the first higher-level exam for vSphere 5, and will be followed by the VCAP5-DCA exam/certification to complete the vSphere 5 certification pyramid.

I've blogged previously about the beta exam, the exam format, and the paths for those currently at VCP4/VCAP4-DCD level as to how they can upgrade both certifications for their vSphere 5 equivalents.

There's already a large number of official resources available to help you prepare for the new exam - the registration link, the usual exam blueprint, a demo of the user interface that the exam uses in it's design elements, and more - that's all available here:

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=30484&ui=www_cert

I doubt that I'll take the exam myself as it doesn't really fit my current role, but as usual I'll watch out for those that have shared their experiences of the final exam and append those to this blog post!

Upgrade path announced for VCDX4 to VCDX5

VMware have just confirmed the upgrade path for VCDX4 holders to update their certification to VCDX5.

Current VCDX4 holders will have a 3-month window from when the VCAP5-DCD exam is released where the only requirement to update to VCDX5 will be to pass the VCAP5-DCD exam, people who do that will also be awarded VCP5.

Once that 3-month window has passed, VCDX4 holders will be required to be VCP5 AND pass the VCAP5-DCD exam to achieve VCDX5. The regular current VCP4 to VCP5 training requirement will apply, such as attending the vSphere 5: What's New training course.

Read the official text here: http://communities.vmware.com/message/2037410#2037410

vSphere 5 training that will help towards VCAP5-DCA

The VCAP5-DCA exam is expected to be released in the next 2-3 months.

The beta version of the exam blueprint suggests two recommended official training courses:

vSphere: Fast Track [v5] - available now

vSphere: Optimize and Scale [v5] - due in the summer of 2012

This training won't be compulsory in order to qualify for the VCAP5-DCA certification, but having seen the beta exam blueprint, and knowing the Fast Track content and the Optimize and Scale topics, the training courses will definitely be useful!

Useful VCAP5-DCA blog links

The beta version of the VCAP5-DCA exam will be available to take shortly, I have had to decline the invitation to participate but those that have accepted have been issued the beta version of the exam blueprint.

A number of bloggers are amongst those who will be taking the VCAP5-DCA beta exam in the coming weeks, some have been given permission by VMware to blog ahead of the beta exam:

Ed Grigson

Gregg Robertson

This post contains a downloadable checklist, based on the exam blueprint, get preparing and get those boxes ticked:

Chris Wahl

Here's some other useful blog links for VCAP5-DCA:

The Foglite
VirtualLanger
Thinking Loud on Cloud

Beta exam experiences:

Patrick Kremer

I will update this post over time as I discover blog posts from those that have take the beta exam.

VCAP5-DCA exam blueprint - what's new?

The beta process for the VCAP5-DCA exam begins shortly, I received a pre-invitation from VMware a week or so ago - but as I've just started a new role I have had to decline the opportunity to take the exam.

I found Ed Grigson's vExperienced blog incredibly useful for the VCAP4-DCA exam, Ed has been given approval by VMware to publish the current beta exam blueprint, and he's also highlighted the changes to the VCAP5-DCA blueprint compared to VCAP4-DCA.

http://www.vexperienced.co.uk/2012/04/12/vcap5-dca-whats-new/

If you're thinking about taking the VCAP5-DCA exam when it is released, Ed's blog post will really help you!

VCAP5-DCA information and preparation

This page contains links to some of the key posts on this blog related to VCAP5-DCA.

General Information
VCAP5-DCA - Registration is now OPEN!
VCAP5-DCA exam blueprint - what's new?
VCAP5-DCA - New vSphere 5.5 exam version available
vSphere 5.0/5.1 exams for VCAP certifications are retiring

Preparation
vSphere 5 training that will help towards VCAP5-DCA
Useful VCAP5-DCA blog links

Updating to VCAP5-DCA
VCAP5-DCA - Registration is now OPEN!

vExpert 2012 - I'm in again :-)

The first set of vExperts for 2012 have been announced - and I've made the list again!

I'm delighted to be included on the 2012 list, this is my third consecutive year of having vExpert status.

Here's the VMTN blog post that contains a link to the list:
http://blogs.vmware.com/vmtn/2012/04/announcing-vexpert-2012-title-holders.html

Congratulations to all vExperts for 2012, and a huge thankyou to everyone at VMware involved in the vExpert process and the community.

VCAP5-DCD - exam format

The format for the VCAP5-DCD exam will be similar to the existing VCAP4-DCD exam. This exam will contain some items that are based around vSphere 5 features such as Storage DRS.

The final release date of the exam is yet to be confirmed but I would anticipate that it would be towards the end of April.

The time allocated to the exam is 4 hours, and managing your time effectively is one of the key strategies.

There are three different types of items in the exam:

1. Multiple-choice questions (approximately 50% of the items)

This is the same format as the VCP5 exam, where some items require only a single answer and some require multiple answers.

2. Scenario questions

Drag-and-drop questions based on a given scenario.

3. Design questions

A Visio-style design interface where you have to match customer and design requirements.

The items are scored according to the level of difficulty of the individual item, the multiple-choice questions count the least and the design questions the most. The scenario and design questions can also be answered partially correctly, but the multiple-choice questions have to be answered completely correctly to count towards your score.

Updating your VCAP4-DCD to VCAP5-DCD AND VCP5

VMware have decided that only a single step will be necessary for those who already hold VCAP4-DCD to update to VCAP5-DCD and also be awarded the VCP5 certification - pass the VCAP5-DCD exam when it is released!

VCAP4-DCD + pass the VCAP5-DCD exam = VCP5 AND VCAP5-DCD

We don't yet know exactly when the final VCAP5-DCD exam will be released, although I anticipate that it will happen towards the end of April - the beta period for the exam ended in early-March - there's more about that here:

http://vmwaretraining.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/vcap5-dcd-now-in-beta.html

VCAP5-DCD information and Preparation

This page contains a collection of links to the key posts on this blog for the VCAP5-DCD certification.

General information
New VCAP5-DCD exam available for vSphere 5.5
VCAP5-DCD - registration is now open!

VCAP5-DCD - now in beta!

VCAP5-DCD - exam format

vSphere 5.0/5.1 exams for VCAP certifications are retiring

Updating to VCAP5-DCD

Updating your VCP4/VCAP4-DCD to VCAP5-DCD AND VCP5

Useful Links

Official VCAP5-DCD page

Gregg Robertson's VCAP5-DCA and VCAP5-DCD page

Trainer opportunity at VMware

VMware are looking for an EMEA-based Enterprise Management Technical Trainer to deliver and maintain technical courses for distributors and channel partners around the vCenter Operations Manager Suite and other Enterprise Management products and solutions.

The ideal candidate would have 4+ years experience teaching technical training material on operating systems, hypervisors, and management products - either VMware's own or similar competitive products, and have strong experience on other management products (eg. Microsoft SystemCenter, HP OpenView, IBM Tivoli).

If you want to know more about this role, please email me with your relevant skills/experience: vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

New course - VMware vCloud: Deploy and Manage the VMware Cloud [v1.5]

VMware are about to release the first full hands-on training course for vCloud Director, and the first instructor-led course for vCloud Director 1.5 - VMware vCloud: Deploy and Manage the VMware Cloud [v1.5]

It's a 4-day training course aimed at those who hold VCP4 or VCP5 or have the equivalent level of skills/knowledge. This is very much a hands-on course, there are 21 hands-on labs that take up an estimated 60% of the course time!

The course labs cover the installation and configuration of vCloud Director components, networking and network pools, provider vDCs, organisations, and vApps. There are also labs on monitoring, vShield, VPNs and routing, security roles, LDAP, and vCloud resources.

Delivery of this new course begins in April 2012, initially at least the course will only be delivered by VCIs who hold VCP and VCAP-DCA certifications and have good experience of working with vCloud Director.

Pastures new...

It's all change for me during the next week - after 3+ years I'm leaving Global Knowledge to take up a position at VMware.

I've worked in technical training/education for 15 years now, most of the roles I've had in that time have been as a full-time trainer, although over the last 4 years I've deliberately spent less time in the classroom. In 2008 I ran the virtualisation training team at Magirus where I managed the day-to-day operational side of training delivery, and in my time with Global Knowledge I've been involved in activities and projects covering all elements of being a growing and successful training partner for VMware products.

So what am I going to be doing?

My new role at VMware is Field Enablement Specialist - I will be designing and managing the technical education and enablement programs for the 400+ customer-facing technical staff within VMware across the EMEA region. The role gives me get an opportunity to take myself in a new direction whilst bringing my technical and personal skills/experience with me.

And what about the blog?

Well it's "business as usual" as far as my online/networking activities are concerned - I have every intention in continuing the work I do in those areas - I need to have a good understanding of what matters to technical people within VMware as well as those working in virtualisation outside the company.

I do feel a little sad to be moving away from a trainer/instructor role, but this is a great opportunity for me - I'm going to be working with a great team of people, and I'm really looking forward to getting started!

About Me

Scott Vessey

VMware Certified Professional 2/3/4/5 (VCP)

VMware Certified Advanced Professional 4 - Datacenter Administration (VCAP-DCA)
VMware Certified Instructor (VCI)
VMware vExpert 2010-2012

I joined VMware in March 2012 and am currently the Program Manager for the EMEA Solution Engineering organisation - I help the leadership team build and implement change programs for the 700+ employees in the organisation.

I have worked intimately with VMware virtualisation products and technologies since 2006, when I also gained my initial VCP and VCI certifications. Prior to joining VMware I worked as the Lead Virtualisation Instructor for Global Knowledge, and before that I was the Training Operations Manager for the virtualisation training team at Magirus.

I am a major contributor to the official VMware Training & Certifcation community forums and I also contribute to other certification-related forums. As well as this blog I can also be found on Twitter and LinkedIn where I also run a group related to VMware training and certification.

Feel free to send me an email if there's anything related to VMware training and certification that you think I might be able to help you with - vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

Please note that any opinion expressed on this blog is mine personally, and not that of VMware.

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.

vSphere-land top bloggers - thanks!

Eric Siebert over at vSphere-land runs a poll on a regular basis for the top virtualization blogs, so you are reading what is unofficially the 64th best virtualization blog in the world!

It's always an honour to get praise such as that for the work that gets put in writing and maintaining the work done for the VMware community, I've been a vExpert for the last 2 years, and it's things like these that make it all worthwhile!

For the first time Eric also had specialist votes in certain categories, so here's the full placings for my blog:

64th in the Top Virtualization Blogs overall

4th in the Favourite News/Information Website category

17th in the Favourite Independent Blogger category

Here's the full results: http://vsphere-land.com/news/top-blog-2012-results.html

I'd like to say a huge THANKS to all those who took the time to vote for my blog!

VCAP5-DCD - now in beta!

A week or so ago VMware emailed all the current VCAP4-DCD holders inviting them to book their beta version of the VCAP5-DCD exam - this is the first sign of any of the advanced-level certifications for vSphere 5.

The invitation email also included the beta version of the exam blueprint, unless VMware change things drastically between the beta and final versions of the exam it looks as though the format, scoring and objectives remain the same as they were for VCAP4-DCD - although the exam content will have been updated for vSphere 5 of course!

The beta period runs for the next couple of weeks, it's normally then a 4-6 week period til the final version of the exam becomes available. There's no news as yet to report about VCAP5-DCA before anyone asks!

As and when I find them, I'll add links below with the experiences of those who take the exam:

Mike Brown
Jason Boche
Dave Convery
Tom Fojta

New email address

I've finally got round to doing something I should have done when I first created this blog - I have a new email account dedicated to my activities around VMware training and certification:

vmtraining.blog@gmail.com

I'm using this email address from this point forward as my primary address for this blog, and for my Twitter account, I've also updated the link in the "Contact Me" section to the top-right of all my blog pages.

VMware View certifications

This page has links to the posts on this blog that relate to the VMware certifications for Horizon and View.

Horizon with View 6
VCP6-DT

View 5
VCP5-DT

View 4
VCA4-DT
VCP4-DT
VCAP4-DT

New certification: VCP5-DT

VMware have now released the VMware Certified Professional - Desktop certification for vSphere 5 and View 5, shortened to VCP5-DT. The exam is aimed at those who are responsible for deploying, administering, and managing View 5 on top of vSphere 5.

There is no formal training requirement for View 5 to qualify for VCP5-DT, the View 5: Install Configure Manage course will be a big help, but you must hold VCP5 in order to qualify for VCP5-DT certification - and of course VCP5 does have a vSphere 5 training requirement.

So, if you're starting out with VMware certifications your minimum requirements to VCP5-DT look like this:

Attend vSphere 5 training > Pass VCP5 exam > Pass VCP5-DT exam

If you already have your VCP5 certification you will only need to pass the VCP5-DT exam. If you are a VCP3 or VCP4 you will need to gain VCP5 and pass the VCP5-DT exam.

VMware have not shortened the path to VCP5-DT for those that already hold VCP4-DT, and it now looks like there will be no VCA5-DT certification at all - VCP5-DT will be the foundation-level certification for View 5.

As usual, VMware have published a number of resources for the VCP5-DT exam - the exam blueprint, mock exam, confirmation of the various training/exam paths - here's the official VCP5-DT page:
http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=28343&ui=www_cert

Moderately surprised...

Many of you will know that for a long time now I've been a major contributor to the VMware community forum for Training and Certification, I'm currently "top of the table" on 5580 community points! I'm also a regular contributor and reader of the private Education areas that I get access to as a VCI that enables me to communicate with the folks at VMware about course materials and technical queries.

As of yesterday I became a VMware Communities Moderator, so now I have a Moderator badge against my forum profile to go with my vExpert badge! Moderators are elected twice a year, and whilst anyone can nominate themselves for election, I was nominated from within VMware and the existing moderators, so I was very surprised when I recieved an email inviting me to accept the role - thanks to those who nomintated an elected me :-)

Here's my profile on the community forums:
http://communities.vmware.com/people/scott28tt

Moderators are responsible for a number of different tasks on the forums, rather than copy and paste it all into this post, here's a list of the guidelines that I am now asked to follow:
http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-12287

I'm always happy to contribute to the VMware community in numerous ways, and now I have a new way of helping too!

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.