Before I start, I know, I know, the answer to this will be different for everyone, depending on skills etc. I'm after some opinions, not a definitive answer.....
I currently hold VCP5-DCV and VCP6-NV, they expire in September.
Part 1 of the question is, am I correct in thinking that my options are limited to:
Bearing in mind that I'm not particularly interested in looking at the other tracks (unless someone can convince me it's worthwhile)...
That means I could study for VCAP6-DCV Design, VCAP6-DCV Deployment or VCAP6-NV Deployment?
If it helps, I failed the VCP-NV exam 3 times, before I passed the DCV, then passed the VCP6-NV beta.....
What would you do?
VCP6.5-DCV
VCP6.5-DCV
Why? Convince me
Should be the simplest and cheapest option - unless you have a desire to step up to VCAP level.
An alternative to the VCP6.5-DCV is VCP6-DCV. More books and training materials are available for 6.0 (including Pearson, Sybex, and others).
And, although one hesitates to mention the re-certification time requirements, in two years, there should be much better training materials for 6.5. And the tests will probably be the same price.
HOWEVER!
You should base your re-cert on what you expect to be working on.