This morning I wake up to find an e-mail from the VMware Certification department, inviting me to take the VCP4 Beta Exam. This is pretty exciting, yet it disappoints me because it reminds me that I still have not received my VCDX Design Exam Beta results (going on 3 months now). However, I did talk to Tina at VMware on Tuesday and she sounded hopeful that these results will be available sometime in July.

It looks like the General Release exam will become available in August, based on the information provided in the e-mail from VMware;

Dear Rick,

VMware is proud to announce the availability of the VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4 (VCP4) beta exam!  We would like to invite you to participate in this beta.  Your experience as a current VCP3 and vSphere beta product user will be valuable in helping us craft a high quality exam.

Detailed registration instructions are at the bottom of this email.  First, please be sure to review the following important information.

1.)    All content, items, displays and materials are the copyrighted intellectual property of VMware, Inc. To maintain and protect the value of the VMware Certified Professional program do NOT disclose the content to anyone.

2.)    You will be required to respond to each item presented. You will not be able to return to items once you have completed them. You will also be able to provide constructive comments on each item and exhibit.

3.)    You will not receive a score at the end of the beta exam. A score will be sent to you 6 to 8 weeks after you complete the exam.  The purpose of a beta is to verify the validity and reliability of the items statistically. Not all items will survive post beta.

4.)    If you successfully pass the exam and are currently a VCP3 in good standing, you will be awarded the VCP4 certification. If you do not pass the exam you may take the exam again when the new exam is available in August.

5.)    There will be 240 minutes to complete the exam.

6.)    The exam is available for registration by voucher only.  The voucher will also be good for 70% off the regular exam price.  Your voucher is provided below.

7.)    Vouchers are good for one use and are not transferable.

8.)    The beta exam will be available until July 17th, 2009.

9.)    Questions can be sent to [email protected]

10.)   You may only take the beta exam ONE time.  All violators will be ineligible for certification.

Well, that’s it.  I will be registering sometime today and I will report back to you on how the exam looks. Wish me luck!