What is vmware-1v0-2120 certification?

vmware-1v0-2120 is VMware’s entry-level certification for data center virtualization. It validates basic knowledge of VMware vSphere concepts, including ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, virtual machines, storage, networking, and common administration tasks.

This exam is aimed at people who are new to VMware or want to prove foundational vSphere knowledge without going straight to a professional-level certification. It is not a hands-on lab exam, and it does not carry the same weight as a VCP, but it is useful for students, junior admins, help desk staff moving into virtualization, and candidates who want a structured starting point in the VMware ecosystem.

Who should take 1V0-21.20?

1V0-21.20 is best for beginners and early-career IT professionals. If you work in support, desktop, systems administration, or infrastructure and want to move into virtualization, this is a sensible first VMware cert.

It fits candidates who have some exposure to servers, networking, or virtualization basics but are not yet ready for VMware’s professional track. It is also a decent option for students and career changers who want a vendor-specific credential tied to vSphere. If you already administer VMware in production every day, this exam may be too basic, and you may get more value from going directly toward VCP-DCV.

What does vmware-1v0-2120 prove to employers?

It proves you understand core VMware vSphere terminology and foundational administration concepts. Employers can read it as evidence that you know the basics of virtualization, VM lifecycle tasks, ESXi and vCenter roles, and standard storage and networking concepts in a VMware environment.

That said, it proves theory more than deep production skill. It helps most when paired with home lab practice, internship work, or junior admin experience. On its own, it will not usually qualify you for senior virtualization roles, but it can strengthen your resume for entry-level infrastructure, support, and operations jobs where VMware appears in the stack.

How hard is vmware-1v0-2120?

vmware-1v0-2120 is moderately difficult for beginners and fairly manageable for anyone with basic vSphere exposure. The exam is not considered advanced, but it can still be tricky because VMware questions often test whether you understand how components fit together, not just memorized definitions.

Candidates with no hands-on experience usually struggle most with storage types, virtual networking, host management, and knowing what is done in ESXi versus vCenter. If you have used vSphere Client, created VMs, and reviewed the official exam guide, the difficulty is reasonable. If VMware is completely new to you, expect a noticeable learning curve before practice questions start feeling comfortable.

How many questions are on the VMware 1V0-21.20 exam?

The exam typically has 50 questions. VMware associate exams in this track are generally multiple-choice and are designed to test foundational product knowledge rather than hands-on configuration in a live lab.

You should still verify the current exam details on VMware’s official certification page before booking, because vendors sometimes revise question counts, timing, or delivery policies. Even when the count stays the same, the objective weighting can shift. For planning purposes, prepare for a standard associate-level proctored exam focused on vSphere basics, architecture, management tasks, and common operational concepts.

What is the passing score for vmware-1v0-2120?

The passing score is commonly listed as 300 on VMware’s scaled scoring system. VMware uses scaled scores rather than a simple raw percentage, so the exact number of correct answers needed is not published as a fixed public percentage.

That means you should not aim for a bare minimum target based on internet guesses. A safer approach is to be consistently strong across the whole blueprint, especially vSphere architecture, VM management, storage, networking, and basic troubleshooting. If your practice performance is hovering around borderline results, keep studying. Associate exams are easier than VCP-level tests, but they still punish weak coverage in core domains.

How long is the 1V0-21.20 exam?

The exam time is typically 105 minutes. That gives you enough time for 50 questions, but not enough to overthink every item, especially when VMware uses scenario-style wording or asks you to identify the best administrative choice.

A good pace is roughly two minutes per question, with time left to revisit flagged items. Because this is an associate exam, the timing is usually fair if you know the material. Problems arise when candidates rely on memorization without understanding what vCenter, ESXi, datastores, switches, snapshots, and resource settings actually do in practice.

How much does vmware-1v0-2120 cost?

The exam price is typically around USD $125, though regional pricing, taxes, and currency conversion can change the final amount. VMware exam pricing can also vary over time, so check the official registration page before you pay.

For an entry-level vendor certification, that price is relatively accessible compared with professional or expert-level infrastructure exams. The lower cost makes it a reasonable way to validate VMware fundamentals without committing immediately to the more expensive and more demanding VCP path. If your employer uses VMware, ask whether they reimburse certification costs, because many infrastructure teams do.

Do you need a course or prerequisite for vmware-1v0-2120?

No, there is generally no mandatory training course or formal prerequisite for vmware-1v0-2120. That is one reason this certification is attractive to newcomers: you can prepare independently and sit the exam without first attending an authorized class.

This is different from some VMware professional certifications, where official training is often required for certification eligibility. For 1V0-21.20, the practical prerequisite is knowledge, not paperwork. You should still review the official exam guide closely and get some hands-on exposure to vSphere if possible. Even a small home lab or trial environment can make the exam much easier.

What should I study for vmware-1v0-2120?

Study vSphere fundamentals first: ESXi, vCenter Server, VM creation and management, snapshots, templates, cloning, datastores, storage concepts, standard networking, and basic host administration. Those are the areas most likely to decide whether you pass.

You should use the official exam guide as your checklist, then reinforce it with VMware documentation, vSphere tutorials, and practice questions. Focus on understanding how the platform works, not just memorizing labels. For example, know what a datastore is, what vCenter manages, why snapshots are used carefully, and how virtual switches connect VMs. Candidates who combine documentation with hands-on practice usually perform much better than those who only read summaries.

How long does it take to prepare for 1V0-21.20?

Most candidates need about 2 to 6 weeks, depending on prior VMware experience. If you already work with vSphere or have used a lab, you may only need a couple of focused weeks. If you are new to VMware, expect closer to a month or more.

A realistic plan is 30 to 60 minutes a day on weekdays plus longer review sessions on weekends. Spend the first phase learning the blueprint topics, the second phase doing hands-on practice, and the final phase using practice questions to find weak areas. The exam is entry-level, but VMware terminology and platform structure can take time to absorb if this is your first exposure.

Can I take vmware-1v0-2120 online or do I need a test center?

You can usually take VMware exams through a testing provider either online with remote proctoring or at an authorized test center, depending on current delivery options in your region. Availability can change, so confirm at registration.

If you choose online proctoring, make sure your room, webcam, microphone, ID, and system check all meet the provider’s rules. If your internet is unreliable or you have a noisy environment, a test center is often the safer choice. For many candidates, the exam content is stressful enough without adding technical risk on exam day.

What happens if I fail the 1V0-21.20 exam?

If you fail, you can retake it, but VMware retake rules apply. VMware has historically required a waiting period before another attempt, and certification vendors can update those policies, so you should read the current retake terms before scheduling again.

The practical advice is to treat the first score report as a diagnostic. Identify which domains were weak, rebuild those areas, and do not rush straight into another attempt based only on memory. For this exam, weak spots often include storage, networking, and knowing which feature belongs to which VMware component. A short, focused remediation plan usually works better than restarting your entire study process.

Does vmware-1v0-2120 expire or need renewal?

VMware certification policies have changed over time, so you should verify the current status directly with VMware. In general, VMware certifications may remain valid on your transcript for the version earned, but employers often care whether your skills are current, especially in fast-moving infrastructure roles.

For an associate-level cert like 1V0-21.20, the bigger issue is relevance rather than strict expiration. If you earn it and then do nothing else for years, its value drops. A good next step is to build practical experience or progress to a higher VMware certification so your resume shows both foundational knowledge and current capability.

Is vmware-1v0-2120 worth it in 2026?

Yes, but mainly as a starter credential. vmware-1v0-2120 is worth it if you are trying to break into virtualization, validate basic vSphere knowledge, or show employers you have a VMware foundation. It is less valuable if you already have strong hands-on VMware experience.

Its ROI is best when used as a stepping stone. The exam is relatively affordable, has no heavy prerequisite burden, and aligns with a widely used enterprise platform. On the other hand, it is not a high-impact cert by itself for mid-level or senior roles. If you want stronger market value, use it to build momentum toward VCP-DCV or a role with direct VMware administration responsibilities.

vmware-1v0-2120 vs VCP-DCV: which one should I take first?

Take vmware-1v0-2120 first if you are new to VMware; aim for VCP-DCV if you already have real vSphere experience and want a more respected credential. The associate exam is foundational, cheaper, and easier to enter because it usually does not require mandatory training.

VCP-DCV carries much more weight with employers because it targets professional-level administration skills and is tied more closely to real deployment and management work. For beginners, though, jumping straight to VCP can be expensive and overwhelming. If you need confidence, structure, and a lower-risk first step, 1V0-21.20 is the better starting point.

vmware-1v0-2120 vs CompTIA Server+: which is better for beginners?

Choose vmware-1v0-2120 if you specifically want VMware and virtualization; choose Server+ if you want broader server fundamentals across vendors. They serve different goals.

1V0-21.20 is more targeted. It proves you understand vSphere concepts and basic VMware administration. Server+ is more general and covers server hardware, administration, security, storage, and troubleshooting without tying you to one platform. If the jobs you want mention VMware, the VMware cert is more directly relevant. If you are still exploring infrastructure careers and want a broader base first, Server+ may be the better opening move.

vmware-1v0-2120 vs Microsoft Azure certification for virtualization jobs?

vmware-1v0-2120 is better for on-prem VMware roles; Azure certifications are better for cloud-first roles. If the job involves vSphere clusters, ESXi hosts, and vCenter administration, the VMware cert is the more relevant signal.

Azure certifications validate cloud services, identity, governance, and Azure-based infrastructure, not day-to-day VMware administration. Some organizations run hybrid environments, so both can be useful, but they are not interchangeable. If you are targeting data center operations, virtualization support, or junior VMware admin work, 1V0-21.20 maps more directly to the role. If your target is cloud engineering, Azure is the stronger path.

vmware-1v0-2120 vs Nutanix certification: which has better job value?

vmware-1v0-2120 usually has broader recognition because VMware vSphere has long been a dominant enterprise virtualization platform. Nutanix certifications can have strong value too, but they are more role-specific to organizations using Nutanix infrastructure.

If you are early in your career and want the widest virtualization relevance, VMware is often the safer first bet. If you already work in a Nutanix shop or see Nutanix heavily requested in your local market, then a Nutanix cert may deliver more immediate ROI. For general marketability, though, VMware still tends to be the more recognizable entry point for virtualization-focused resumes.

I passed vmware-1v0-2120 — what should I do next?

The best next step is to build hands-on VMware experience and plan your move toward VCP-DCV if virtualization is your path. Passing 1V0-21.20 gives you a foundation, but employers will still want proof that you can work in real environments.

Update your resume and LinkedIn with the full certification name and code, then add specific lab or work tasks you can perform: creating VMs, managing snapshots, working with datastores, or navigating vCenter. If possible, build a small home lab or get involved in VMware tasks at work. The cert opens the door; practical experience and the next-level credential are what make that door lead to better roles.