Last week I sat the VCAP Data Center Virtualization Design 2021 (3V0-21.21) exam based on vSphere 7. It was a tough but fair exam, all the questions need to be read carefully as sometimes the answer(s) were really well hidden in the question. I passed with a score of 325 of 500, but I think I could have done better IF I had prepared better.
That’s the reason why I’m writing this blog, to help you prepare through some handy resources and tips, so that you can ace the VCAP Data Center Virtualization Design 2021 exam.
The VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) exams tests the ability of a person to deploy, administer, and design complex virtual environments. The VCAP exams come in two types: Design and Deployment. Passing both exams earns the VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX) badge. The VCIX badge is a digital representation of your achievement for earning both the VCAP Deploy and Design certifications.
Let’s start with the official documentation:
VMware Certified Advanced Professional — Data Center Virtualization Design 2021
The first thing you should do is to check which path suits your journey best for sitting the exam. There are different requirements like earning your VCP first or attending a Design Workshop first all depending on your certification level.
After making sure you have met all the requirements for sitting the exam, the next step is selecting which exam you’re going to take. As there are two VCAP Data Center Virtualization Design exams available:
Option 1: VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization Design
Option 2: Advanced Design VMware vSphere 7.x
The process for both is the same, in my case I went for the newest one based on vSphere 7.x.
Now in my opinion one of the most important documents is the Exam Guide:
Advanced Design VMware vSphere 7.x Exam Guide
Read this document carefully as this will describe the minimally qualified or acceptable candidate (MQC) and describes the exam objectives.
The format for the Advanced Design VMware vSphere 7.x is based on Single and Multiple Choice questions. There are no ‘connect the objects’ Visio or drag and drop questions anymore. Which in my case kept my frustration level down, because the last thing you want is battle a sub-optimal working application during your exam (people who did the VCAP-DCV 5 Design will know…).
Exam Tips:
Exam Useful Resources:
And make sure you are familiar with all the documents mentioned in the Exam Guide.
Remote Proctored Exam
This was not something new for me as I sat the VCP Data Center Virtualization the week before my VCAP. This was in the end a good idea as it got me familiar with the remote proctored exams process. The process is well documented on the OnVUE online proctored page:
Pearson Onvue Online testing for VMware
Make sure you’re understanding and meeting all the requirements and do the system check the day before you sit the exam. Having done this the day before reduces the stress on the exam day itself, because for some people this day can be quite stressful already.
Mark Anthony V. Melendres uploaded a good video that shows the Pearson Onvue Online check-in process which can be found here:
EXAM DAY: Process of using onVUE App (Pearsonvue Online Exam Application) at Home or Office
Remote Proctored Exam Tips:
Good luck and let me know how it went!