What is vmware-2v0-2120 and what certification do you get?

vmware-2v0-2120 is the core exam for Professional VMware vSphere 7.x and was used toward the VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) 2020/2021 track, depending on your path and timing. It validates that you can install, configure, administer, and troubleshoot VMware vSphere 7 environments, including ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, clusters, storage, networking, resource management, and basic security. In practical terms, it proves you can work with production vSphere rather than just describe virtualization concepts. It is most relevant for virtualization administrators, systems engineers, infrastructure engineers, and anyone supporting VMware-based datacenters.

Who should take vmware-2v0-2120?

You should take vmware-2v0-2120 if you actively work with vSphere 7.x or want a VMware-focused infrastructure credential. It fits best for VMware admins, Windows/Linux infrastructure engineers, datacenter support staff, and consultants who deploy or manage ESXi and vCenter. It is not the best first cert if you are brand new to servers, storage, and networking. VMware exams assume you understand virtualization basics and can navigate the product. If your day-to-day job includes creating VMs, managing clusters, configuring vMotion, working with datastores, or handling host lifecycle tasks, this cert aligns well with real responsibilities.

What are the prerequisites for vmware-2v0-2120?

The exam itself can usually be scheduled, but earning the full VMware certification typically requires more than just passing the test. For the VCP-DCV path, VMware has historically required authorized training plus the exam, especially for candidates new to VMware certification. The exact requirement depends on whether you already hold a qualifying VMware cert. That is the important part: passing 2V0-21.20 alone may not automatically grant the full VCP badge if you have not met VMware’s training path requirement. Before paying, verify the current path on VMware Certification Manager so you know whether a class is mandatory in your situation.

How much does vmware-2v0-2120 cost?

The exam price has typically been around USD $250, but VMware pricing can vary by region, taxes, and delivery partner. The bigger cost for many candidates is the required VMware-authorized training if they are pursuing the full VCP credential through the standard route. That training can cost far more than the exam itself. If your employer is paying, the cert is easier to justify. If you are self-funding, calculate the total path cost, not just the exam fee. Also check whether your region adds VAT and whether online proctoring or test-center delivery changes any administrative fees.

What is the exam format for vmware-2v0-2120?

vmware-2v0-2120 is a multiple-choice and multiple-response exam delivered through VMware’s testing provider, with a time limit of roughly 130 minutes for standard candidates. The exam usually contains around 70 questions, though VMware can adjust formats over time. Expect scenario-based questions rather than pure definition memorization. You need to recognize the right vSphere component, configuration step, or troubleshooting action in a realistic admin situation. This is not a hands-on lab exam, but many questions are much easier if you have actually used ESXi, vCenter, DRS, HA, vMotion, content libraries, and lifecycle management in a working environment.

What is the passing score for vmware-2v0-2120?

The passing score for vmware-2v0-2120 has commonly been 300 on VMware’s scaled scoring system. VMware uses scaled scores rather than a simple percentage, so do not assume 300 means 60% or any fixed raw score. The exact number of correct answers needed can vary by exam form. The practical takeaway is that you should aim well above the minimum by being solid on all blueprint domains, especially installation, configuration, administration, and troubleshooting. If you are consistently scoring only barely passing on practice tests, you are taking a risk because real exam wording is usually less forgiving than study materials.

How hard is vmware-2v0-2120?

vmware-2v0-2120 is moderately hard to hard for most candidates, especially if they learned VMware from videos instead of hands-on work. The exam is not impossible, but it punishes shallow preparation. The difficulty comes from VMware-specific details: knowing which feature applies, what order to perform tasks in, how vCenter and ESXi interact, and which storage or networking option matches a scenario. Candidates with 6-12 months of real vSphere administration usually find it manageable. Candidates with only theory often struggle. It is harder than many entry-level certs because it expects operational knowledge, not just vocabulary.

How long should I study for vmware-2v0-2120?

Most people need 4 to 10 weeks of focused study, depending on experience. If you already administer vSphere 7 in production, 3-5 weeks of blueprint review and practice can be enough. If you are newer to VMware, plan on 8-10 weeks and spend a lot of that time in a lab. A realistic schedule is 1-2 hours on weekdays plus a longer weekend lab session. Memorizing feature names is not enough. You need to practice host installation, vCenter deployment concepts, cluster configuration, permissions, storage presentation, standard switching, vMotion behavior, snapshots, templates, and lifecycle operations.

What should I study for vmware-2v0-2120?

Study the official exam guide first, then build your plan around the vSphere 7 administration tasks it lists. The highest-value topics are ESXi installation and configuration, vCenter Server architecture, clusters, HA, DRS, vMotion, storage concepts, VMFS/NFS basics, standard switches, distributed switching concepts, permissions, roles, templates, content libraries, resource pools, host profiles, and lifecycle management. Also review troubleshooting and operational tasks, not just deployment. VMware exams often test whether you know the correct place in the UI or the right sequence of actions. If you cannot explain why a setting matters in production, keep studying.

What are the best resources to pass vmware-2v0-2120?

The best resources are the official VMware exam guide, VMware docs, VMware Learning training, and a real vSphere 7 lab. Third-party video courses help, but they should support your study, not replace hands-on work. Official product documentation is especially important because VMware often phrases questions around exact feature behavior and supported administration methods. Practice exams are useful for checking gaps, but they should not be your main strategy. If you use practice questions, use them to identify weak domains and then go back to documentation and lab work. For targeted prep, many candidates also use Truekia’s 107 practice questions to test readiness after covering the blueprint.

Can I pass vmware-2v0-2120 without hands-on experience?

Yes, but it is much harder, and for most people the answer is effectively no. You can memorize enough to get close, but VMware exams are built around administrative judgment. Without hands-on practice, features like DRS behavior, datastore choices, host maintenance, permissions, distributed switching, and lifecycle workflows stay abstract. Even a small home lab makes a big difference. If you do not have enterprise hardware, use nested virtualization if your system supports it, or access a cloud or training lab. The goal is not a perfect production environment. The goal is to click through the tasks until the product behavior feels familiar.

Where can I take the vmware-2v0-2120 exam?

You can generally take VMware certification exams through an authorized testing provider, either at a test center or via online proctoring, depending on current availability. The specific delivery options can change, so check VMware’s certification portal and the testing provider’s scheduling page before booking. If online proctoring is offered in your region, test your webcam, microphone, internet connection, and room setup in advance. VMware exams are detail-heavy, so avoid technical issues on exam day. If you prefer a controlled environment, a test center is often less stressful. Either way, confirm identification rules and check-in timing before your appointment.

What happens if I fail vmware-2v0-2120?

If you fail, you can retake it, but VMware has historically applied a waiting period before another attempt. Policies can change, so verify the current retake rule in VMware’s certification policy before rescheduling. The smart move after a failure is not to immediately book again. Review your score report by domain, rebuild weak areas, and get more lab time. Most failures come from underestimating the exam’s product-specific depth, not from lack of effort. If your weak domains were storage, networking, or cluster operations, focus there first. A second attempt after targeted remediation is far more effective than repeating the same study routine.

Does vmware-2v0-2120 expire, and how does VMware recertification work?

The exam version itself is tied to vSphere 7.x, so its relevance declines as VMware releases newer versions, but VMware’s broader certification validity and recertification policies have changed over time. VMware moved away from older mandatory two-year recertification rules, yet employers still care whether your certification aligns with current product versions. In practice, you should treat VCP-level certs as needing periodic refresh even if the badge does not immediately disappear. The best next step after passing is to monitor VMware’s current certification framework and plan an upgrade exam or newer VCP path when your organization starts adopting later vSphere versions.

Is vmware-2v0-2120 worth it in 2025?

It is worth it if your job or target role still uses VMware heavily, but its value is lower if your environment is moving away from VMware or standardizing on cloud-native platforms. For VMware shops, this cert still proves practical virtualization skills and helps with admin, engineer, and infrastructure roles. It is especially useful when employers explicitly ask for VCP-DCV. The downside is version age: because it is centered on vSphere 7.x, it is not the best long-term choice if you can instead pursue the newer VMware track aligned to current products. Its ROI depends more on your employer ecosystem than on the logo alone.

vmware-2v0-2120 vs Microsoft Hyper-V or AZ-800: which is better?

vmware-2v0-2120 is better for VMware datacenter roles; AZ-800 or Hyper-V-focused learning is better for Microsoft hybrid infrastructure roles. They do not target the same platform. VMware certs go deeper into vSphere operations, clustering, lifecycle, and virtualization management inside the VMware ecosystem. AZ-800 is broader around Windows Server hybrid administration with Azure integration and includes Hyper-V as only part of the picture. If job listings around you mention ESXi, vCenter, DRS, and HA, choose vmware-2v0-2120. If they mention Windows Server, Azure Arc, Active Directory, and hybrid services, Microsoft’s path will usually deliver better market alignment.

vmware-2v0-2120 vs AWS Certified SysOps Administrator: which one should I choose?

Choose vmware-2v0-2120 if you want to manage on-prem or private-cloud virtualization; choose AWS SysOps if you want to operate public cloud infrastructure on AWS. The VMware exam is platform-specific around ESXi, vCenter, clusters, storage, and VM administration. AWS SysOps covers monitoring, operations, deployment, security, and troubleshooting in AWS services. There is some overlap in infrastructure thinking, but the day-to-day tools are different. If your current employer runs a VMware estate, vmware-2v0-2120 is the more immediately useful credential. If your career goal is cloud operations or DevOps in AWS-centric environments, SysOps usually has stronger long-term pull.

vmware-2v0-2120 vs RHCSA: which is harder and more useful?

RHCSA is usually harder from a hands-on exam perspective, while vmware-2v0-2120 is harder if you lack VMware-specific operational experience. RHCSA tests practical Linux administration under time pressure. vmware-2v0-2120 tests conceptual and administrative knowledge of the VMware platform in a question-based format. In terms of usefulness, RHCSA is broader because Linux skills transfer across many roles. vmware-2v0-2120 is more specialized but very valuable in organizations built around vSphere. If you want a general infrastructure foundation, RHCSA often gives wider career flexibility. If your work centers on virtualization and VMware operations, vmware-2v0-2120 is the more targeted credential.

What should I do after passing vmware-2v0-2120?

After passing, first confirm whether you have met all VMware certification path requirements so the full credential is actually awarded. Then update your resume, LinkedIn, and internal employee profile with the exact certification name and version. The next practical step is to build on it: target deeper VMware skills such as advanced troubleshooting, vSAN, NSX, or newer vSphere certification tracks. Also translate the cert into evidence of real work by documenting projects like host deployments, cluster upgrades, storage migrations, or HA/DRS design changes. The certification gets attention, but pairing it with measurable VMware experience is what turns it into interviews and better roles.