VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4 (VCP4)
VCP is recognized as an “industry standard”
for virtualization certification, and it is aimed at individuals
who have one of a wide variety of job roles: systems
administrators, systems engineers, virtualization consultants and
architects. VMware Partners must have a number of VCPs working for
them, and an ever-increasing number of end-user customers and
independent contractors and consultants also hold the
certification.
VMware released the latest generation of
their enterprise product, vSphere 4, in May 2009. The exam that
relates to vSphere 4 is the VCP4 exam, which became available from
August 2009. The training courses that offer the best preparation
for the VCP4 exam have now been updated for vSphere 4, and VMware
have created various paths for individuals to achieve the
certifications on the next generation software version.
Course Suitability for VCP4
exam
-
vSphere 4: What’s New is only suitable for those that
have knowledge of VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) to VCP3 level. It
offers a broad grounding in many of the new features of vSphere
4.
-
vSphere 4: Install Configure Manage course is suitable
for all individuals, and is the closest match to the VCP4 exam
content as defined in the published blueprint.
-
vSphere 4: Fast Track covers all of the Install
Configure Manage content plus additional material which will give a
deeper knowledge of some topics covered in the VCP4 exam.
Exam Format and
Booking
The VCP4 exam consists of 75 scored
multiple-choice questions which must be completed in 90 minutes,
plus up to 10 additional questions which are not scored. The
required passing score is 300, with the maximum being 500, but as
the score is scaled this does not equate to 60%.
VCP exams can be booked online at http://www.pearsonvue.com/vmware,
and can be taken at any Pearson Vue testing centre (including all
Global Knowledge UK training centres).
Exam
Preparation
Once any necessary training course has been
completed, it is generally best to take the VCP4 exam 2-4 weeks
later, the exam will expect a deep and detailed understanding of
the products and technologies in vSphere 4.
VMware publish the VCP4 exam blueprint and
a mock exam on their website, it is highly
recommended to review the blueprint to evaluate which areas need to
be studied in preparation for the exam. The mock exam is designed
to show the exam format, and helps an individual work on their exam
taking technique. It is also recommended to gain additional
hands-on use of the vSphere software, to strengthen the knowledge
gained on the training courses.
Global Knowledge run a 1-day
vSphere 4: Exam Preparation Workshop, which offers
individuals the opportunity to discuss technical and study
material, and gain some vital exam taking tips, from a VMware
Certified Instructor (VCI) who has passed the VCP4 exam at a score
of 350 or better.
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