My #VCAP-DCD experience(s)

I have been asked by a couple people in the community to write a post about my experience. There is a very good reason for this. I have taken this test three times.  On the third and final time I passed.

First let me throw out people that helped.

• vBrownbag session on VCAP-DCD
• Jason Langer
• VMware vSphere 5.1 Clustering Deepdive by Duncan Epping (@DuncanYB) and Frank Denneman (@FrankDenneman)
• Special thanks goes out to Manny Sidhu (@MannySidhu2)
• If I keep listing people this will go on forever.  So to all of the #vCommunity, Thank You.

Ok lets bet back to the real stuff.

My first #VCAP-DCD exam was almost nine months ago. I had started with the VCAP-DCD package/zip files from Jason’s site.  I tried, and fell asleep through most of the documents. There are a tons of white papers.  266 MB of files.  These white papers are very important. On the day of test one, I did not know what you expect. Well yes I did. The worst test I could ever imagine. I had read that on twenty or more blogs. I was hoping that is was just a scare tactic. This will probably be be the hundredth time you have seen this but YES THIS TEST IS HARD.  I failed.

The second #VCAP-DCD test I took a little over 30 days ago.  I was reading everything I could.  Anyone that had a blog I was readying, and learning.  So the day of this test I went into the testing center knowing this test was going to be exhausting.  So there was 3 minutes left and I could no longer wait and review my answers.  I wanted to see the Congratulations you passed. Then I clicked the finish button and……. You failed. I was literally 3 points from a passing score. I was really upset at myself and was planning to stop my track to the elusive #VCDX al together. I was planning on just staying a system administrator for the rest of my life.

Then a couple of the community members commented, do not give up. If you were this close on this test, you will pass the next time.  So I calmed down.

The biggest help on my last test was this…

When you fail, go to a calm place and write down everything you can remember from the test.  Braindump.  Because of the NDA you signed, you cannot share this braindump with anyone.  I did exactly that. The day after when my mind was completely clear of the test failure, I wrote down everything I could remember.

So more bad news. I found out that after your second failed test you have to wait thirty days.  Yeap, I was a little upset about this rules.  So I scheduled my test 30 days from the date I failed.  In those thirty days I studies the way I know best.  Research the topic, then write it down. NDA.

Again I want to thank everyone for standing behind me, and anyone that wants to take on any of the Advanced VMware tests.  You support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.