VCP Course

brad_121

Hi All,

I found out yesterday that my company might be paying for me to attend the Install, configure, manage vSphere 5 course. Nice eh!

I only have fairly basic experience with vmware. Installing the hypervisor, adding hardware to machines, cloning, migrating, increasing datastore storage etc.

Now since they're paying for the course, i might as well sit the exam right! But how much extra work beyond attending the course and how much study/revision do you have to do to pass the exam?

I would have the chance to play with it everyday once I do the course (and even before then) plus i can easily setup labs at home.

Essendon

From what I've heard Brad, the course helps but you need to study on your own as well to pass the exam, and more importantly know the material. Doing the course will give you a headstart on those difficult to understand (atleast initially) topics, such as vDS, HA, DRS and all that jazz.

Lucky you, my employer wont pay (yet) for a course, We have 4 VCP's in the team already.

QHalo

Go download the blueprint. And start going through the documentation. Sure fire way to beat the exam.

scott28tt

I have plenty of VCP5 posts on my blog: VMware Training and Certification

azjag

Hey Brad,

I found that the vSphere fast track course was more comprehensive than the vSphere install, configure and manage course.
http://mylearn.vmware.com/descriptions/EDU_DATASHEET_vSphereFastTrack_V5.pdf
http://mylearn.vmware.com/descriptions/EDU_DATASHEET_vSphereInstallConfigureManage_V5.pdf

The fast track course has extended hours and will cover more topics but will cost more. As I have stated in previous posts, the vSphere ICM course does not fully prepare you to take the test. You will need hands on experience and outside studying. If you can swing the fast track great, either way check out this link for discounts on classes prior to your company paying. It might save you 30%.

VMware Training Promotions

Good luck and welcome to TechExams

ChooseLife

brad_121 wrote: »

But how much extra work beyond attending the course and how much study/revision do you have to do to pass the exam?

My subjective feeling was that VCP4 ICM course went only quarter-deep into exam material. I ended up reading several hundreds of pages of whitepapers (very technical, but at the same time very comprehensively written) and also spent a few weekends labbing some special scenarios (+I had 3 years of production experience).

That was for VCP4, I heard VCP5 was harder.

The exam is doable, as long as you are ready to put considerable effort into preparing for it outside of work/course.

scott28tt

I agree with azjag about the Fast Track course - it goes much further than Install Configure Manage in a number of areas that are covered in the VCP exam.

Extra studying and hands-on will be needed no matter what course you attend - VMware expect a VCP to have 6 months experience with vSphere, and the VCP5 exam is the best yet at asking you questions you'll only be able to answer if you've done that hands-on work.

undomiel

For me I failed the VCP4 a couple times until I broke into the whitepapers. You definitely have to go above and beyond for passing this exam and having a good lab for extra practice on high availability and performance troubleshooting related scenarios is critical.

ittb19

The ICM course is more of a General Overview of the product. It hits a very small number of areas that are directly related to the exam. Defiantly setup some labs and hit up whitepaper.

brad_121

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'm going to have a busy years ahead with the MCITP:SA and the VCP...

I just did a quick search and it was hard to find anywhere doing the Fast Track in Brisbane. Only one place and it's almost double the price of the ICM!!

I knew i was going to have to do extra study, labs and hands on at work after the course. Actually it'll be a good oppurtunity becuase the boss will want to see some results of my learning and I'll get the chance to hands-on study for the exam.

scott28tt

ittb19 wrote: »

The ICM course is more of a General Overview of the product. It hits a very small number of areas that are directly related to the exam. Defiantly setup some labs and hit up whitepaper.

The ICM course does cover the majority of the VCP objectives. Put the course outline and the exam blueprint side-by-side and you'd see that. I'm not saying the course alone is sufficient preparation, I never would.