My VMware Certified Associate (VCA) Experience
The VMware Certified Associate Challenge
So a few weeks ago right after VMworld 2013 (USA) I started to learn of the “new” VMware Certified Associate (VCA) Exams that were announced during this years event. The VCA was an older exam that VMware had a while back as a Desktop Cert (VMware Certified Associate Desktop VCA4-DT) that I guess died off and now has come back to life.
At first I was not going to entertain these new exams as they are more of an entry level, sales, or high level knowledge of the 3 areas they cover, Data Center, Mobility, and Cloud. I figured that since I already had my VCP why would I need or spend time on the lower hanging fruit. Well that all changed after a few emails from VMware saying the exam was discounted by 50% for a short while. Ok, not too shabby I thought. Then I received another email with a 50% off coupon code good until Sept 30th. Sweet, Free? OK, lets just do it to say its done! And away I went.
Each VMware Certified Associate course is a self-paced web class that steps you through the contents of each exam prepping you or pointing you in the correct path to do well on the exam. I will say that it is very high level and you should probably still have a little vSphere & ESXi background to help it all make logical sense, thus making the exam easier to pass. The online classes ranges from 2.5hrs-3hrs each which was not too bad.
Jumping Right In
I started with VCA-WM, Workforce Mobility, or better known as VMware Horizon Suite. I figured this was the one I should begin with if any since my daily life revolves around View at the office. The VCAs start as most VMware Exams, with a request to register via the VMware Certification site. Once that was completed I signed up for the course and began right away. Knocked out my 3hrs and was ready to sit the exam. Off I went to Pearson VUE and “paid” with my coupon and began the exam. It was not bad at all, very simply setup & almost all of the questions had directly pertained to the course materials. Boom! Done, Certified as VCA-WM. Now what??
On To The Next One!
Well as you can guess, it was kinda of a challenge now to tackle the other 2 exams since I noticed how easy this was and the coupon (due to an issue at Pearson/VMware was extended until Oct 15th) was still good (re-usable!)…it was game on for the VCA! Let’s get that notch in the belt I said to myself. So I took the same route for both the DCV & Cloud versions of the VCA just a few days after the VCA-WM. For the DCV, I registered at home, ran off to the airport for a work trip, landed in Chicago, checked in at the hotel & had 4hrs until my 1st meeting shin-dig that night, took the course, and passed the exam in my hotel room! Mark that off the bucket list!
After coming back home this past Friday I did the same with the VCA-Cloud exam. Signed up, studied Saturday afternoon, and took the exam…FAILED! DOH!! What? Yes, I failed the VCA-Cloud on Saturday night. I am not a vCloud guy and it showed. Yes the course was informative, but like I said earlier, you best know the product to help it make sense! I do not know vCloud Director nor its components outside of white papers and websites. So I guess my confidence got the best of me that day. Oh well. Try again Sunday since it’s still free right? Of course!
Sunday morning I woke, re-studied the items I felt I sucked at, then took the exam again and Passed! Woohoo, All VMware Certified Associate exams completed! Now what? Well not much different than a week ago besides I added 3 new VMware Certs to my belt, albeit lower class than my VCP, but still some VMware Cred in my book.
Final Thoughts
In closing I would say that these exams are great for the VMware Novices or folks just starting to figure out VMware and its product lines. Also the courses I thought were a great high level of info that I wouldn’t mind sharing with my fellow IT guys at the office who are confused about what VMware really can do for an organization these days. If you fit this description, the VCA is for you. If you want to show some VMware effort and technical know how, I say go past these and jump right to the VCP. Much more street cred with the VCP over the VCAs, in my opinion.
Achievement Unlocked: VCA Hat Trick!