burdweiser's Posts

At VMworld 2014 I had a problem with my exam crashing a lot. I worked something out with the VMware proctor to get a delayed grade based on him manually scoring my master design question. I finally got the results back today and it was another fail. This was my 5th (yes 5 times) attempt at the exam. Two of those were because of no shows due to travel. I really don't know where things are going wrong. Either I'm way off on how to use the design tool or I'm just not smart enough for this exam. It is not just about studying, I work with this stuff every day. No one can pass a VMware exam by reading alone. I am an architect and I design enterprise environments all the time. I know all about interviewing to design out environments and to design around interdependencies.  I've been working with VMware products since the beginning. I've even built virtual infrastructures that run the ISS at NASA today. I think that some of the scenarios are just way open to interpretation. VCAP-DCD would be a nice title to have, but I do not think there will be a 6th attempt for me. Maybe in vSphere 6 if things change with the exam. I'm not saying it should be easier, the exam should be a little more clear on what is being asked. Plus, I never thought it was very realistic to chew through that much mixed material in 10 minutes and spit out something perfect in a design. I'm not sure how current VCAP-DCD have done it, but hats off to you! For what its worth, I will still be contributing the community.

Yes. I wrote about my experience here: http://vexpert.me/pm I used some resources from Marc Crawford: http://blog.marccrawford.com/vcap-dcd-study-resources/ and the Google+ group: https://plus.googleapis.com/wm/4/communities/103910393937429082483

This is really great stuff! If we come up with design examples for a practice exam, does it first need to be screened by the cert team at VMware first? I've been looking in to creating design questions with four separate Visios to choose from as practice questions. Only thing stopping me is my fear of getting hammered by the cert team.

I 100% agree. The demo tool needs to be updated to clearly explain how things should be laid out. There should be an example of a physical and logical design. One that can be graded as a practice exam to explain how connections should be made. The original demo tool does a good job of explaining how to select items that should be placed in the design, but it would be nice to have a practice exam to explain why a design may be incorrect.

I rescheduled mine for the 5.5 exam. I was signed up for 5.1, but after reviewing the blueprint for 5.5 I decided to switch to the VDCD550 exam. I wrote about the difference here: http://vexpert.me/pm I also have some info on starting the study group on 8/23 here: http://vexpert.me/ph

Only applies to VCP. If you have VCAP, you will still need to re-certify on VCP every 2 years (unless you earn a higher level exam). There is no expiration on VCAP (yet).  Recertification Policy I'm curious about this situation: If I am VCP 5 and next year I take a VCAP 6 exam, does that make me VCP 6? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread.

I was thinking about this as well. I'd hate to lose my place and not be able to take the exam at all. I am signed up for the 5.1 exam. Where did you read that the 5.5 exam is better? I would think there is just updated material.

I took the VCAP-DCD last year and failed. I am taking it again on Sunday at VMworld. The exam center has you wrap your conference badge around your backpack and leave it by the door. I think it was sitting in view. I would bring a back pack or bag for your stuff and put your badge around it. I experienced no lag in my exam last year. The area did seem a little cramped. I think one year they had tables facing each other, which was very annoying. The lounge was a pretty nice area to focus before you went into the exam. I am flying in Saturday. I plan on locking myself in the hotel and put in study time until Sunday! Good luck!

Yes, I am aware that test content is updated frequently. There was never a VCP 3.5 or VCP 4.5. I just find it odd that VMware would release a certificate for vSphere 5.5 with less than a year to go before a new release (potentially) of the product. It seem that VMware has put a lot of focus on releasing many lines of certifications, I was not expecting a 5.5 version.