VCP-DCV exam-day guide
VCP-DCV · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID with signature
Use a passport or driver's license. The name on the ID must match the name on your exam registration exactly; confirm with the provider which ID types they accept at your chosen delivery mode (test center vs. online proctored).
Second form of ID or a card in the registered name
Some test centers ask for a second identifier. Confirm with the provider whether one is required before you travel.
Appointment confirmation and registration number
Have the confirmation email or appointment number accessible on your phone before check-in, then put the phone away. You may not use it during the exam.
Provider account credentials
Know the username and password for the testing provider's delivery platform (VMware/Broadcom exams are commonly delivered through Pearson VUE). Confirm with the provider which portal you log into and test the login in advance.
Verified exam code and version
Confirm the current VCP-DCV core exam code and version on the official Broadcom/VMware certification page before your appointment, since codes change with product releases. Do not assume your study guide's code is current.
Payment method or prepaid voucher
If you did not prepay at booking, bring a card accepted by the provider. Vouchers must usually be applied at scheduling time, not on exam day.
Passed system test (online proctored)
Run the provider's equipment check on the same machine, webcam, microphone, and network you will use on exam day, at least 24 hours ahead.
Compliant test environment (online proctored)
A private room with a closed door, a clear desk, no second monitor, no headphones, no notes, no phone within reach, and no other people present.
Stable wired network and power
Prefer a wired connection and keep the laptop plugged in. Have a fallback plan (phone hotspot is usually not permitted during the session - confirm with the provider).
Arrival/check-in buffer
Plan to arrive at the test center or start online check-in well before the appointment time; late arrivals can be refused or the seat released. Confirm the provider's stated cut-off.
Restroom and hydration plan
Use the restroom immediately before starting. Scheduled breaks are not typical on this exam; ask the provider in advance what happens if you must leave.
Objective list printed or open for pre-exam review only
Keep the official exam guide objectives handy while studying in the days before. Nothing may be brought into or accessed during the exam.
Plan the day
Confirm every administrative detail: appointment date/time/time zone, delivery mode, exam code, ID name match, and the provider's reschedule/cancellation deadline so you know your last chance to move the slot.
Do one timed practice run against the official objectives and score your weak areas. Expect the largest weight on vSphere networking (standard and distributed switches), storage (VMFS, NFS, iSCSI, vSAN), cluster features (HA, DRS, resource pools), lifecycle/update management, and security/compliance settings.
Stop adding new topics. Re-read only your own summary notes and correct your two or three weakest objective areas.
Fix logistics: travel time or parking for a test center, or room choice and network for online proctoring. Sleep on a normal schedule starting now.
Run the provider's system test one final time and verify the webcam, microphone, and connection. If testing at a center, pack your ID and confirmation details.
Do a short, light review (30–60 minutes maximum) of command syntax, UI navigation paths, and feature behavior you keep confusing. No full practice exams the night before.
Prepare the testing space: clear the desk, remove papers and devices, close the door, tell household members not to disturb you, and confirm where the webcam will sit.
Eat a normal dinner, avoid late caffeine and alcohol, and get a full night's sleep. Fatigue costs more points than one extra hour of study.
Eat a real meal and hydrate. Do not cram; at most skim your one-page summary of weak areas.
Start check-in early. Online sessions typically require you to launch the proctoring software and complete ID verification and a room scan before the start time. Confirm the provider's required early check-in window.
Close every other application, silence and store your phone out of reach, have your ID ready, and use the restroom before you sit down.
Read each question to the end before answering, and confirm whether it is single-answer or a 'choose two/three' item - partial credit is usually not given, so select exactly the number requested.
Pace yourself. Divide the time limit by the question count to get a per-question budget, and mark long scenario items for review rather than stalling on them. Confirm the current question count and time limit from the official exam guide.
Eliminate options that describe a product feature you know does not behave that way, then choose between the survivors. Many items test the 'best' answer for a stated goal, not merely a technically valid one.
If the interface allows it, use the review screen at the end to revisit flagged items and confirm nothing is left unanswered before submitting.
If the session drops or the proctor interrupts, stop and follow the proctor's instructions; note any case number. Do not attempt to restart on your own if the provider has given you a process to follow.
Rules to check
The name on your registration, on your ID, and the account you log in with must all match. Bring valid government-issued photo ID with signature; without acceptable ID you can be denied entry and your fee is normally forfeited - confirm the provider's accepted ID list in advance.
No unauthorized materials. Notes, books, phones, smart watches, headphones, and second screens are prohibited. During online proctoring, expect an ID check and a room/environment scan, and expect the session to be recorded and monitored.
Physical breaks are typically not scheduled on this exam, and leaving the camera view or the testing room may end your session or invalidate your score. Confirm the provider's break and absence policy before exam day rather than assuming.
You will accept a confidentiality/candidate agreement before the exam starts. Do not discuss, reproduce, or share exam questions or content afterward; doing so can void your result and your certification.
Scoring is reported on the provider's scaled score range rather than raw percentage, and you need to meet or exceed the passing score. Provisional pass/fail is often shown at the end of the session, with the official score report following later - confirm the current passing score and score scale on the official exam page.
Retakes are subject to a waiting period and full fee. Confirm the current retake policy and waiting period with the provider before you book a second attempt.
Do not rely on exam-day improvisation for technical failures. Know in advance whether the provider requires you to contact the proctor first, and keep any case or incident number for a reschedule request.
Arrive or check in early. Late arrivals may be refused entry or released from their appointment, and the provider's reschedule window is usually strict - confirm the exact cut-off when you book.