Upgrading VCAP certs

[logiboy123]

Just wondering if anyone can point me to a document or information regarding maintenance and upgrades of certifications.

Does getting the latest VCAP-DCD automatically upgrade your other certifications like I've heard?

I'm trying to figure out the most efficient way to maintain my certifications. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul

[AndreTheGiant]

Passing the VCAP5-DCD exam give:

• the VCAP5-DCD certification
• the VCDX5 certification (if you held a VCP5 AND a VCDX4 certs)

[logiboy123]

Okay so let me ask a followup question;

I currently have VCAP-DCD4 and VCP5. If I go an get VCAP-DCA5 then in order to go for the VCDX5 defence I would need to also upgrade my VCAP-DCD4 to version 5 first?

If true that is quite painful and expensive.

This has probably been asked before, but is VMware planning some sort of easier upgrade path for VCAP holders?

Cheers,

Paul

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

Yes... according with the official site:

(VCDX5-DCV) VMware Certified Design Expert

Otherwise you can get VCAP4-DCA, defend you application (could be or a vSphere 4 or a vSphere 5 design), and you get VCDX4

Then, when you pass the VCAP5-DCD you will also get the VCDX5 cert.

[logiboy123]

Thanks for the help Andre.

It seems to me the most efficient way for me to get to VCDX would be to complete VCAP-DCA5, then VCAP-DCD5 and then go straight for VCDX5.

VCDX5 is probably going to be around for at least another two years so I should have enough time to get it done.

Cheers,

Paul

[JoshuaAndrewsVM]

For anyone else reading this, note that while you can go from version 4 to 5 for any VCAP exam without a class requirements (unlike VCP4-VCP5-DCV) you can't "cross" like hold the VCP4+VCAP4-DCA and take the VCAP5-DCD.  You would need to go VCP4+VCAP4-DCA > VCAP5-DCA(inherit VCP5-DCV) > VCAP5-DCD.

This is not the case for Paul since he holds VCP5-DCV already, which would get him into any current VCAP exam

[weinstein5]

Also it is my understanding that is your goal is VCDX you will only need to update your VCAP-DCD - at least that is what I have done updating all the way back VI-3 version of the VCAP-DCD -

[AndreTheGiant]

Of course it depends by your planning. I don't know when v4 exams version will be retired... So I agree that on a 2 years of timeframe, the VCDX5 it's more safe.

Good luck!