How to become a VMware Certified Processional (VCP)
VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is one of the popular certification nowadays in IT world. VCP is virtualization certification which acts as an impact on technology improvement. This certification let you know and understand the virtual world in general. Besides that, VCP also will learn about VMware products, especially vSphere, vMotion and others.
IT professional with VCP can help to fulfill the demand on virtualization skill increase on the market. This certification not only can help yourself in career improvement, it will also help you to validate your technical capabilities.
The current version of VMware Certified Professional (VCP5) is based on VMware vSphere 5.
What are the benefits of having VCP?
- Helps you to follow the current technology (Virtualization is one of the foundation for Cloud Computing)
- Increase your market value. Each company who implemented VMware environment needs people with VCP to provide support and do the management.
- Free VMware Workstation 8 license key once you pass your VCP exam
- Become one of the VMware community member and get invitation to VMware event
- Discount on VMware Product
How to become VCP
In order to become VCP, you will need to attend one of the official training class:
This training is compulsary. You cannot skip the training if you want to become VCP. Visit VMware Education for more info.I have attended vSphere 5 : ICM training on Malaysia. The training center is call Guidance View. I’m not going to explain how is the training center and where is the location. You can find their latest promotion on official website.
After you have attended the class, you will need to sit for only one exam. The exam code is VCP510. More information regarding the exam is on below.
Where to take the Exam
You can sit for the exam in Pearson VUE examination center across the globe. kindly visit the website and schedule for your exam. There are a lot of exam center that you can choose based on your best location.
How much for the Exam
The exam costs $225. However, you can use the discount code or even free exam voucher. For this, ask the training center you attend the class. Sometimes they may provide some extra gift that you don’t know. By the way, sometimes you can find the discount code on VMware Community forum.
Format of the Exam
The exam is computer-based test. You must answer 85 question which consists of single and multi-choice questions. You only have 90 minutes. This mean you only have 1 min to anaswer each question. IF you’re from country where English is not the main language, there will be additional 30min given to you. So you have 120 minutes.
Based on my experience, 120 minutes is sufficient enough if you prepare well become the exam. THE EXAM IS NOT EASY. Don’t take the exam if you’re not confident enough.
Scope of the Exam
- Planning, installation, configuration and upgrade of VMware ESXi and vCenter
- Plan and configure vSphere Storage
- Plan and configure vSphere Networking
- vApps and template deployment
- Basic troubleshooting
- Performance monitoring
- Many more….
For more coverage on this section, you can find the exam blueprint on official website. you will need to register a free account in order to download. The document will show the full details regarding the topic that are going to be covered on the exam.
How to prepare for VCP Exam
Books
Mastering VMware vSphere 5 
VMware vSphere 5 Clustering Technical Deepdive
VMware vSphere 5 Administration Instant Reference
Video training
vSphere 5 Video Training from TrainSignal by vExperts David Davis and Elias Khanser (Highly Recommended)
Official Training
vSphere 5 : Install, Configure, Manage
Reminded, you must attend one of the official training. you can choose either Classroom, onsite or Live Online.
What to do when VCP expired
Don’t worry. VCP certification is valid for lifelong. You will always be VCP certified. You can upgrade your VCP to latest version when the new version release.
I hope this has been informative for you and I would like to thank you for viewing.
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Lee Kong Wah is the editor of this website. He's a certified VCP5 in virtualization, likes to travel and dislike boringness.He is an addicted reader especially books by Robin Sharma. The leader of leadership.