Today I received a message from VMware Education Services introducing a new way for current VCP holders to refresh or re-certify before their VCP expires. Currently as it stands, anyone holding a VCP certification prior to March 10, 2013 has only until March 10, 2015 to re-certify using one of the following methods.
- Take the most current VCP exam in any of the available tracks (Datacenter Virtualization, Cloud and Desktop – not sure if Network Virtualization qualifies for this or not). No matter which track you held your VCP in, all will be refreshed with another two years.
- Take an advanced level exam, meaning the VCAP DCA or VCAP DCD. Not only will you advance to the next level, you will refresh your VCP expiration as well.
Prior to today, these were your options. Now however all you VCP holders have a third option, so long as you are currently hold the VCP5-DCV status.
What is a delta exam?
This is something new to VMware certifications. Basically, this exam is based only on the differences between vSphere 5.0/5.1 and the vSphere 5.5 exams. Also, instead of your normal 135 questions the delta exam will only have 65. The biggest difference is how the exam is delivered – you won’t need to drive to a testing center for this one, it is being offered online through Pearson Vue – and I’m assuming this will be a similar fashion to that of the VCA delivery. Another noticeable difference is price – this one, coming in at $120 USD instead of the normal $220 USD.
Is it worth it?
This is something I can’t answer for you – you will have to go through the scenarios in your head. Currently I have an expiry date of January 2016 for my VCP5 and honestly I’d rather sit a new version of the VCAP then do the VCP again. That said, can I expect a VCAP6-DCA to be available by Jan 2016? I have no idea! Do I want to risk the chance of losing my VCP due to no new VCAP exam coming out or possibly failing the VCAP when it does come out? It’s all a giant kerfuffle in my head right now! One note, the email I received said it was only available to those who need to renew their VCP before March 10, 2015. As noted above, mine was extended to Jan 2016 due the completion of my VCAP in January of this year. That said, I went through the process of being authorized for this delta exam and had no issues getting into the portion of the Pearson Vue site which allows me to schedule it. So, try for yourself I guess!
Time’s a wastin!
Oh yah, better hurry and make your mind up. This delta exam will only be available until November 30th, 2014! So you have just less than a couple of months to figure out what you are going to do! Honestly, this whole re-certification process just confuses and puts me in a bad mood 
Nonetheless, though I’d share the news! Oh, I tried to use the VMUG Advantage VCP discount code – didn’t work!
