Blog
27 November, 2023
So, you’re eyeing that coveted VMware certification, but you’re not quite sure how to tackle it? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve been down this road many times, earning more than 50 certifications in various IT domains. Today, I’m here to share my battle-tested strategies for acing VMware certification exams.
Dive Deep into the Topics
First things first, get to know the topics inside out. Having hands-on experience is key; you need to understand how these concepts play out in the real world. For instance, if you’re gearing up for a vSAN certification, spend several months gaining practical experience. It’s this hands-on familiarity that will truly set the stage for your success.
Official VMware Courses Are Your Best Friends
Don’t underestimate the power of official VMware courses. Whether you prefer the traditional classroom setup or virtual classes, these courses offer invaluable insights. Plus, you get direct access to instructors, allowing you to ask questions and learn from the best. I remember a particularly challenging class where I had the opportunity to interact with the instructor via Zoom. Being able to clarify doubts on the spot was incredibly helpful.
Unravel the Student Guide
The official student guide is your bible. Read it cover to cover – not to memorize but to truly grasp the concepts. If something isn’t clear, don’t hesitate to delve into the product documentation for a deeper understanding. During my preparations, I would skim through the guide briefly first. This initial overview helped my brain identify critical sections, making my subsequent detailed reading more efficient.
Numbers and Limits Matter
Remember those numbers and limits mentioned in the student guide? Commit them to memory. Questions related to these figures are common in the exams, and being well-prepared can make a significant difference. For instance, questions might inquire directly about the maximum quantity of a specific item or indirectly by asking about potential issues that might arise under certain circumstances when a customer, using system A, attempts action B and encounters a failure message. Most questions concerning numerical values revolve around these limitations, making it essential to commit them to memory.
Master Editions and Features
Each VMware edition comes with its unique features. Understand these differences inside out. Exam questions might challenge your knowledge of edition-specific capabilities, so be ready. I recall a question about a feature exclusive to the Enterprise Plus edition but unavailable in Enterprise. Knowing these distinctions inside out can be a game-changer.
Decode Scenario-Based Questions
As I mentioned above, be prepared for scenario-based questions. These tricky scenarios test your ability to apply your knowledge in real-life situations. Please pay close attention during your courses; they equip you with the skills to tackle these questions effectively. I often encountered questions where I had to design solutions for a customer’s specific needs based on the knowledge I gained during my course.
Reading Hacks: Skim and Absorb
Here’s a reading trick I swear by start by skimming through the student guide. Your brain will naturally pick up on the critical points. Then, go back and read it thoroughly. It’s like sketching a roadmap; your brain already knows the important stops. This method helped me focus my attention on the most crucial details during my exam preparations.
Time Management
Wondering how much time to invest? Well, I used to dedicate two full days for most certifications, provided I attended official courses and made the most of the student guide. With the right resources and a focused approach, these two days were sufficient for me to feel confident and well-prepared for the exam.
Finally, please take note: memorizing questions and answers from braindumps you find on the Internet is a HUGE NO-NO. Even when a “successful exam pass is guaranteed” – don’t believe it! There are several reasons for this: These dumps have a lot of false-positive answers – the answers provided are simply incorrect. Most often, the questions in the dumps are not up-to-date. Testing facilities also monitor those dumps and regularly compare the answers given by a candidate to those from the dumps. If they find similarities, the candidate will be subject to various penalties – including certification revocation and prohibition from taking the exams for a certain period of time. Last but far from least, by memorizing questions and answers, you won’t gain any real-world knowledge, and, as they say, you’d be hurting yourself the most. Even if you were able to cheat the system, certification without deep understanding is meaningless.
In a nutshell, mastering VMware certifications isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about truly understanding the technology. So, roll up your sleeves, follow these steps, and let’s conquer those VMware certifications together! Remember, it’s not just a badge; it’s a testament to your expertise and dedication in the IT realm. Go get ’em!
Written by: Sagi Fishbain. Chief Engineer