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Shyamsundart
Contributor
Contributor

VCAP5-DCA - First attempt failed!

Hi all,

I have failed in my first attempt to clear VCAP5-DCA(VDCA510) exam and I don't feel good about it. I took the exam on Saturday and got the result today. I followed the blueprint well but not sure where I missed it.

The exam report card showed that the following objectives were not met - 1.1,3.3,4.1,6.1,6.2,6.4,7.2,8.1. That's a lot Smiley Sad

I thought I did the HA and DRS section of the exam quite well but report disagrees. I wish to reschedule the exam in 45 days time. Can someone help me by letting me know the procedure to re-schedule this exam?

Will I get a free second attempt or do I have to pay for the exam again?

Thanks,

Shyamsundar T

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17 Replies
firestartah
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the failure. When you say you followed the blueprint well what resources did you use to prepare as I know that personally i had to use multiple resources and methods to ensure I knew how to do everything and did extensive hours in my lab practicing every single thing in my lab again and again.

You can reschedule exactly the same as you did for your first attempt. There is no second free attempt so you will need to pay the full amount unless someone has a voucher for you (i don't have this nor do I know anyone that may have one).

I listed all the resources I used for my VCAP-DCA if you are interested VCAP5-DCA & DCD | TheSaffaGeek

Good luck

Gregg

If you found this or other information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Gregg http://thesaffageek.co.uk
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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Here's a couple of useful links:

FAQs: VMware Certification

Promotions: VMware Training & Certification Promotions (Global)


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Although I am a VMware employee I contribute to VMware Communities voluntarily (ie. not in any official capacity)
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Shyamsundart
Contributor
Contributor

Gregg,

Josh Coen's study guide and Jason's trainsignal videos were used by me. I have a decent lab setup with two nested ESXi hosts running in VMware workstation and I practiced the exam objectives in my lab. I will go through your resources too. Hopefully I will clear in second attempt

Thanks,

Shyamsundar T

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Abukar
Contributor
Contributor

Every one who failed this exam got these same objectives were not met - 1.1,3.3,4.1,6.1,6.2,6.4,7.2,8.1.

I did also failed the exam with the same objective although I am very confident I have done it. I have no confidence in the VMware lab since it has been scripted.

All I can say is try again. Good luck next time mate.

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JoshuaAndrewsVM

>Every one who failed this exam got these same objectives were not met - 1.1,3.3,4.1,6.1,6.2,6.4,7.2,8.1

Everyone who fails gets a list of sections they did not receive a passing score in, but I can guarantee everyone does not receive the same list.  Looking at the last 10 failure emails that went out, no two had the same list of sections and none matched that list.

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Abukar
Contributor
Contributor

I can tell you that I have received identical list as the one above. Few other other people I know received identical list of objectives as well. the issue here is  no one from VMware seem to understand how frustrating it is to fail the exam that you feel you should have passed. you only receive list of objectives but that does not tell your weakness.

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vfk
Expert
Expert

I have already given some feedback to certification team, I think the score report could be better and can provide more information to help identify areas of weakness.  Wish all you guys the best in your endeavours, don't give up and good luck with the exam.  It is a challenging exam but totally worth it.

--- If you found this or any other answer helpful, please consider the use of the Helpful or Correct buttons to award points. vfk Systems Manager / Technical Architect VCP5-DCV, VCAP5-DCA, vExpert, ITILv3, CCNA, MCP
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nimos001
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Tried to sit this exam at vmworld without any preparation and scored a 293. Frustrating to fall just short but it is what it is. I left 5 questions unanswered so I should have been working faster.

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Abukar
Contributor
Contributor

The exam was being marked by humans then. Now as its scripted if you do slight mistake though you have answer the question it will mark you as unanswered.  My first attempt was good but unfortunately one of host got disconnected while I was doing vSwitch migration. I did still managed to get 256 marks although I didn't answer half of the questions.  VMware then decided to script the exam as I did my second attempt and managed to get almost the same marks as before even though I have answer 22 questions out of 26.

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JoshuaAndrewsVM

Live lab exam scoring has always had scripted components and human components.

Disconnecting hosts during the networking questions is the #1 issues candidates encounter on the DCA510 exam and is thus the #1 reason I recommend the DCA550 exam.

I'm not sure what you mean by "slight mistake tho you have answer the question"?  If you perform the task correctly you are credited the point. If you do not do it correctly you are not credited the point.  If you break the exam environment you are unlikely to pass the exam.

>I can tell you that I have received identical list as the one above.

Please double check, I searched the logs and only one candidate received that combination of sections. 

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Shyamsundart
Contributor
Contributor

I missed the cut by 10 marks. Will hit the labs harder next time. I am going to give myself a good two month break and preparation time before going for 2nd attempt.

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JPM300
Commander
Commander

I highly recommend taking Jason Nash's course on train signals and using JoshuaAndrews Testrack, reach out to Joshua to see if he can hook you up with it.  Aside from that buckle down on the blue print and lab EVERYTHING out.  I labed everything out probably 2-4 times prior to writing the exam.  Area's you are rusty in or don't touch often I would do a few more times.  I know for me I haven't had to do PVLANs, Autodeploy, and a whole lot of CLI scripting in awhile prior to writing my DCA and I hit those topics a little harder.

Hope this has helped, and don't be discouraged, these exams are not easy! keep it up and good luck!

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Shyamsundart
Contributor
Contributor

I cleared the exam in my second attempt. Thankfully, I got 50% discount voucher.

Took the exam today and got the result in less than three hours. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words!

Thanks,

Shyamsundar T

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sadiq1435
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

HI Shyam

Congrats !!  How did u get 50 % voucher since i have 50 % VCP voucher and vmware replied me that this voucher cant be used for VCAP . Please guide me since i am planning to write in a month or two .

Thanks

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Shyamsundart
Contributor
Contributor

Sadiq,

I don't think you can use the same voucher for VCP as well as for VCAP. Scheduling a VCAP exam involves different process. You must be VCP certified first and then VMware has to authorize you to sit for VCAP. Please note that you also need to have a Pearson VUE account to schedule the exam. The 50% discount voucher that I used is valid only till Dec 19th.

Please see if the below link helps.

http://www.virtualbrigade.com/2014/10/50-discount-on-both-vcp-and-vcap-exams.html


Thanks,

Shyamsundar T

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sadiq1435
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi Shyam

I am VCP certified and i have authorization from vmware . I tried to use the code but the voucher is valid for only few countries . saudi arabia is not included in it .

Terms & Conditions

  • This promotion is only applicable to Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore,Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Korea
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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

I posted this link towards the top of this discussion - it's worth checking for current discounts: VMware Training & Certification Promotions (Global)


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Although I am a VMware employee I contribute to VMware Communities voluntarily (ie. not in any official capacity)
VMware Training & Certification blog
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