You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
VMWAREVMware VCAP-VCF VKS (3V0-24.25)
The VMware VCAP-VCF VKS certification validates your ability to design, deploy, and manage VMware Cloud Foundation with VMware vSAN and VMware NSX. It is aimed at experienced architects and engineers who build and operate software-defined data center solutions. Earning it demonstrates advanced skills in integrating compute, storage, and networking for hybrid cloud environments.
Exam formatMultiple choice and multiple response
DeliveryPearson VUE
Free questions458
Content last reviewed 1 January 2025 · Up to date
The certification
What VMware VCAP-VCF VKS (3V0-24.25) proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
5domains
22objectives
146concepts
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The VMware VCAP-VCF VKS certification is an advanced-level credential for professionals who design and implement VMware Cloud Foundation environments. It validates your expertise in architecting and deploying software-defined data center solutions that integrate vSphere, vSAN, and NSX into a unified hybrid cloud platform.
This certification focuses on the practical skills needed to translate business requirements into resilient, scalable, and secure VMware Cloud Foundation designs. It covers workload domain design, cluster configuration, storage policies, network virtualization, and lifecycle management. Earning the VCAP-VCF VKS credential demonstrates that you can deliver production-ready cloud infrastructure that meets performance, availability, and security goals.
Who it’s for
This certification is for cloud architects, infrastructure engineers, and technical leads who design and operate VMware Cloud Foundation environments. It is ideal for professionals who have hands-on experience with vSphere, vSAN, and NSX and who are responsible for architecting software-defined data center solutions. You should be comfortable with VMware Cloud Foundation architecture, workload domains, and the integration of compute, storage, and networking. The exam targets practitioners who can make design decisions that balance performance, availability, and operational efficiency.
Recommended experience
VMware recommends that candidates have at least two years of hands-on experience with VMware Cloud Foundation, including vSphere, vSAN, and NSX, and a solid understanding of software-defined data center architecture. Designing and deploying VMware Cloud Foundation environments; Configuring vSAN clusters and storage policies; Implementing NSX networking and security; Managing workload domains and lifecycle operations
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective VMware measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official VMware exam outline · checked 1 January 2025 · See the source
IT Architectures, Technologies, Standards
- Differentiate between VMs and containers to select the appropriate compute model
- Use Kubernetes architecture, networking, storage, service mesh, and Helm
- Determine the reference architecture (NSX, VDS, Zones) for a VKS deployment
VMware Products and Solutions
- Configure vSphere Supervisor capabilities, services, and architecture topologies
- Configure Supervisor cluster networking with VDS, NSX Segments, or VPCs and apply appropriate load balancing solutions
- Configure Supervisor storage policies and persistent volume integration across zones
- Configure VKS identity and access using external providers and Kubernetes admin credentials
- Manage Kubernetes releases and content libraries (subscribed, local, and air-gapped) for VKS clusters
- Configure CNIs, NSX networking objects, and TLS certificates and secure VKS clusters
Plan and Design
- Evaluate the implication for Load Balancer size on Supervisor functionality
- Evaluate the implication for Namespace Network options
- Evaluate the architecture of vSphere namespaces with ingress and egress options
- Create the process of enabling a Supervisor cluster
- Create an implementation of service mesh
Install, Configure, Administrate the VMware Solution
- Configure Supervisor Infrastructure
- Manage Workloads and Services
- Implement Storage and Backup
Troubleshoot and Optimize the VMware Solution
- Diagnose and resolve Supervisor and VKS cluster provisioning, connectivity, or namespace errors
- Troubleshoot VM class, cluster plans, content library, storage, and networking errors
- Troubleshoot container deployment, registry, and trusted CA errors
- Restart or recover failed VKS upgrades
- Optimize cluster performance using monitoring and scaling features
On the day
The exam itself
Everything VMware publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
No mandatory prerequisites — this certification has no required predecessor exam or credential.
CertificationVMware VCAP-VCF VKS (3V0-24.25)
Exam formatMultiple choice and multiple response
DeliveryPearson VUE
LanguagesEnglish
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path VMware lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to VMware VCAP-VCF VKS (3V0-24.25)
Credential earnedVMware VCAP-VCF VKS (3V0-24.25) Certification Renewal and maintenance
VMware certifications must be renewed by retaking the exam. The VCAP-VCF VKS certification is valid for three years from the date of passing the exam. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. VMware maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by VMware
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Pearson VUE, VMware’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official VMware certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the VCAP-VCF VKS exam relate to the retired VCAP6-DCV exam?
The VCAP-VCF VKS exam replaces the VCAP6-DCV exam and focuses on VMware Cloud Foundation, integrating vSphere, vSAN, and NSX. Credentials earned under the VCAP6-DCV remain valid until their expiration date.
Do I need to earn a VCP certification before taking the VCAP-VCF VKS exam?
No, VMware does not require a VCP certification as a prerequisite for this exam. However, VMware recommends that candidates have hands-on experience with VMware Cloud Foundation and related technologies.
Is there a hands-on lab component in the VCAP-VCF VKS exam?
The exam is primarily multiple-choice and multiple-response. VMware does not currently publish a hands-on lab component for this exam.
What is the retake policy for the VCAP-VCF VKS exam?
If you fail the exam, you must wait 24 hours before your first retake, and 14 days before each subsequent attempt. There is no annual cap on attempts.
What job roles does the VCAP-VCF VKS certification map to?
This certification is designed for cloud architects, infrastructure engineers, and technical leads who design and operate VMware Cloud Foundation environments.
Can I recertify by passing a different VMware exam?
Yes, passing a higher-level VMware certification exam, such as the VCIX-VCF, will renew your VCAP-VCF VKS certification.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2025-01-01 Up to date
Practice free questions 458 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept VMware measures — each one written out.
5domains
22objectives
146concepts
97free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official VMware exam outline · checked 1 January 2025 · See the source
1IT Architectures, Technologies, Standards41 questions
Differentiate between VMs and containers to select the appropriate compute model7 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Use Kubernetes architecture, networking, storage, service mesh, and Helm5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Determine the reference architecture (NSX, VDS, Zones) for a VKS deployment4 concepts · 1 pagesOpen →
2VMware Products and Solutions109 questions
Configure vSphere Supervisor capabilities, services, and architecture topologies7 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Configure Supervisor cluster networking with VDS, NSX Segments, or VPCs and apply appropriate load balancing solutions4 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Configure Supervisor storage policies and persistent volume integration across zones5 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Configure VKS identity and access using external providers and Kubernetes admin credentials4 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Manage Kubernetes releases and content libraries (subscribed, local, and air-gapped) for VKS clusters8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Configure CNIs, NSX networking objects, and TLS certificates and secure VKS clusters4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
3Plan and Design95 questions
Evaluate the implication for Load Balancer size on Supervisor functionality5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Evaluate the implication for Namespace Network options9 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Evaluate the architecture of vSphere namespaces with ingress and egress options6 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Create the process of enabling a Supervisor cluster6 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Create an implementation of service mesh5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
4Install, Configure, Administrate the VMware Solution115 questions
5Troubleshoot and Optimize the VMware Solution98 questions
Diagnose and resolve Supervisor and VKS cluster provisioning, connectivity, or namespace errors6 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Troubleshoot VM class, cluster plans, content library, storage, and networking errors6 concepts · 2 pagesOpen →Troubleshoot container deployment, registry, and trusted CA errors3 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Restart or recover failed VKS upgrades5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Optimize cluster performance using monitoring and scaling features6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Differentiate between VMs and containers to select the appropriate compute model4 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
16 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
458 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
458questions
97pages
22objectives
Freealways
Start anywhereDifferentiate between VMs and containers to select the appropriate compute model 16 questions · 4 pages
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1IT Architectures, Technologies, Standards41 questions
2VMware Products and Solutions109 questions
3Plan and Design95 questions
4Install, Configure, Administrate the VMware Solution115 questions
5Troubleshoot and Optimize the VMware Solution98 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
146concepts
458free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from VMware
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
1official link
146concepts mapped
The source
VMware’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official VMware outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 22 objectives, 146 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When VMware changes the outline, this page changes with it.
22objectives on the outline→146concepts written→458free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.