Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
One of the standout moments from VMware Explore 2025 was sitting the VMware Certified Professional – VMware Cloud Foundation Architect (2V0-13.25) exam. I remember feeling pleasantly surprised that Broadcom offered a complimentary exam voucher for attendees with a Full Event Pass. That alone made the decision to sit an exam a no-brainer.
Going into the conference, I had been preparing for the VCF 5.2 Architect exam and felt reasonably prepared. Then Broadcom introduced a curveball shortly before the event: the VCF 9.0 exams (Support/Administrator/Architect) would be made available for the first time! It was a compelling opportunity, but also a gamble. The usual preparation resources like exam guides and formal training were not yet available. I found myself at a fork in the road. Play it safe with 5.2, or take a leap into something new?
I chose the VCF 9.0 Architect exam for three reasons. First, VCF 9 is where everything is headed. If I was going to invest the time and effort, I wanted it to reflect the current state of the platform. Second, I’m an enthusiast as much as I am a practitioner; I want to push the boundaries of my skills, the technology, and my comfort zone. Third, I knew I would be helping lead my organization toward a modern VCF 9 architecture, and I wanted to validate that I was ready for that responsibility.
Although not required, I took the exam on-site at Explore using their proctored testing area. I highly recommend this approach and will cover why later. My strategy stayed consistent: answer what I knew, flag what I did not, and revisit anything that felt uncertain. When I reached the end, it honestly felt like a toss-up. No clear signal either way.
Then came the moment of truth. Like other Broadcom exams, the result appeared within seconds. I PASSED! That moment was equal parts relief and validation. The moral of the story is, trust your foundation. When you sit down for the exam, it’s just you and everything you have learned up to that point. Block out the noise, rely on your experience, and commit to your decisions. I took the risk and it paid off. If you are on the fence, take the shot.
The Basics
Exam Code: 2V0-13.25
Language(s): English / Japanese
Duration: 135 Minutes (2.25 Hours)
Number of Questions: 60
Format: Multiple Choice, Multiple Choice Multiple Selection
Passing Score: 300 (Maximum score is not disclosed)
Price: $250 USD
The information above was obtained from the official exam page, which includes a link to the Exam Study Guide. The study guide is basically the “exam outline” format you may be familiar with already. Although I do not have Broadcom’s permission to distribute the study guide PDF directly, I highly recommend obtaining a copy from the official exam page!
How to Prepare
Though not mandatory, I highly recommend taking the official VMware by Broadcom training, which is available in both a self-paced and instructor-led format through the Broadcom Learning Portal. If your organization already has VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) entitlement, you can access this content courtesy of your VCF subscription at no additional cost. That’s right, even the instructor-led courses are included with your subscription!
Frankly, if you cannot participate in Broadcom-provided training, you may find yourself at a disadvantage. While core design and architecture principles are pretty consistent across the industry, they are framed here through a specific lens – virtualization and private cloud. I feel the context matters and can influence your mindset. If official training is not an option, I recommend searching for reputable third-party courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy that cover these topics from a VMware and Broadcom perspective.
Is the training course enough to pass the exam? Possibly, but like most advanced certifications, this exam leans heavily on real-world understanding rather than memorization. Hands-on experience carries weight and will serve you well. After reviewing the exam objectives, assess your familiarity with each area. You are not expected to be deeply familiar with any single aspect of VCF to the point of “clicking the buttons”, but you need to know the capabilities, limitations, and tradeoffs. VMware Cloud Foundation is a comprehensive solution that goes beyond vSphere and vCenter. You must understand other integral components like vSAN, NSX, the broader VCF Suite, formerly known as VMware Aria, and a general understanding of vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS).
Even though the exam does not require you to configure or troubleshoot VCF directly, there is real value in seeing how it all comes together. This is a well-documented challenge for many candidates, as most do not have a VCF 9 home lab, nor significant experience with VCF 9 in the workplace. The question becomes: how can I prepare for the exam if I can’t access the product? This is where Hands-On Labs (HOL) really shines. These labs are offered on-demand and at no cost! You can experience just about every facet of VCF 9 through guided scenarios, or branch off and experiment on your own. Hands-on Labs are an excellent way to gain exposure to the breadth of VCF 9 without needing your own lab environment. There is no limit to the number of Hands-On Labs you can take or re-take!
Exam Format
The exam follows the official Exam Guide closely. You should expect 60 questions, which include multiple choice and multiple choice multiple selection questions. In my experience, the exam did not include simulation questions.
If you’re wondering what “multiple choice multiple selection” means, think of it in terms of a question which offers around 5-7 possible answers, and you are asked to select all relevant answers. In most cases, you should expect to select more than one answer unless the question specifies otherwise, typically using checkbox-style responses.
I found the 135-minute time limit to be generous. I completed the exam well within the time provided, giving me plenty of time to review my answers with less pressure. Several of the questions are lengthy and describe scenarios. This is to be expected for an architecture exam and is intended to measure your ability to apply knowledge of VCF capabilities, limitations, and tradeoffs to the real-world.
On-Site Proctoring
This was my first time sitting an exam at Explore, and it was a great experience.
The only friction point was registration. I had to contact the event staff to obtain the site code for the on-site testing center, since it is not publicly listed. Once I had the code, scheduling through Pearson VUE was straightforward, just like any other exam. Availability fills up quickly, so book early. If your plans change, cancel your slot as soon as possible. That frees up space for others and ensures you do not waste your voucher.
Check-in was smooth, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Before entering, you will review a short packet outlining exam procedures. It is a bit dense, but worth reading carefully. If anything is unclear, ask before you begin.
The testing area is typically a ballroom with rows of workstations and a few in-person proctors. It can be slightly noisy due to keyboards and movement, but once you settle in, it fades into the background.
Standard exam etiquette is enforced. A few key callouts:
- No talking once inside the testing area. This includes whispering or reading questions under your breath.
- Avoid reaching into pockets or handling personal items during the exam.
- Keep your focus on your own screen. Looking around the room can raise flags.
- Personal belongings such as backpacks or event swag must be left in a designated area. Bring only what you need. Ideally, leave valuables in your room and carry just your conference badge and photo ID.
If you have the opportunity, I would recommend taking the exam on-site. It is convenient, well-run, and puts you in a focused mindset while you are already immersed in the event.
Exam Topics and Considerations
Start with the Exam Guide. This is an architect-level exam, so you are expected to think beyond implementation and focus on design intent. That means having a clear understanding of business requirements, assumptions, risks, and constraints – and how they differ.
VMware Cloud Foundation is a true solution, not just a product. It is built from multiple tightly integrated components. You should be familiar with core components that were historically deployed alongside vSphere, such as vSAN and NSX. These are foundational to VCF deployments and shape many of the design decisions you will encounter in your career.
Below are the areas I recommend focusing on, in alignment with the official exam guide:
- Understand the distinction between business and technical requirements. Then pressure-test yourself by classifying real-world requirements from your day-to-day work. Some will be obvious, whereas others may require further thought or research.
- Understand the difference between a Conceptual Model, logical design, and physical design. What elements belong in each layer? What is intentionally excluded? Could you identify the model type just by reviewing a diagram or scenario?
- Understand the distinction between requirements, assumptions, constraints, and risks. These are easy to blur together if you are not deliberate. Challenge yourself by categorizing each of these elements in your daily work.
- Understand the concepts of Availability, Manageability, Performance, Recoverability, and Security – also referred to as AMPRS. Every strong design balances these five pillars. None exist in isolation. They must align with the requirements, assumptions, constraints, and risks you have defined. Avoid over-optimizing a single dimension (for example, availability) at the expense of the overall design.
- Note that each of the above list items are quite literally the first four objectives from the exam guide, with a little added context. These objectives are stated first in the official guide for a reason – they are the foundation of your journey.
- Understand the difference between functional and non-functional requirements.
- Understand the capabilities, limitations, and trade-offs across the VCF stack. For example, several VCF features provide strong availability and scalability, which are highly desired. But what are the real boundaries in terms of limitations and trade-offs? Which of these features are constrained by maximum round-trip latency requirements? How does that affect the design?
- Expect scenario-based “word problems” with detailed scenarios you are likely to encounter in the real-world. Do not rush them. Break each question down carefully. Every detail is intentional, and it is entirely possible that the answer hinges on a single requirement or constraint which may be hidden in plain sight.
- Understand Availability Zones and how they are designed and implemented within a data center. What are the benefits, requirements, constraints, and trade-offs?
- Understand the difference between Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. Beyond knowing the distinction, you should understand how supporting VCF components such as VMware Live Recovery (VLR) – formerly Site Recovery Manager (SRM), support each objective.
- Obtain a high-level understanding of HCX and how it can be used to help migrate VMs between environments at scale.
- Understand the capabilities, limitations, and trade-offs of multi-tenancy in VCF. Where does it make the most sense?
- Understand the capabilities, limitations, and trade-offs of performing a brownfield import from a traditional vSphere implementation to VCF 9. Equally important are the requirements.
- Avoid “over-engineering” the solution. Candidates sometimes pick the most complex design instead of the simplest one that meets requirements.
- Although this is a technical exam, do not overlook business constraints lurking in the details, such as budgetary, staffing, and licensing factors.
- You do not need deep CLI knowledge or step-by-step knowledge of UI workflows.
Time Management
Time management plays a bigger role than you might expect, especially with longer, scenario-based questions. It is your most valuable resource during the exam, so using it effectively is key.
This three-pass approach works well for me:
First pass: Move quickly and answer what is clear and obvious. Build momentum and reduce the number of questions you need to revisit.
Second pass: Return to flagged questions and read them more carefully. Give yourself time to think, but avoid getting stuck trying to find a perfect answer.
Final pass: Review your responses with a fresh perspective. Look for anything you may have missed, misread, or overthought.
Some of the longer scenario questions can consume a surprising amount of time. If a question starts to slow you down, flag it and move on. It is better to come back later with a clearer mindset than to burn valuable time early in the exam.
Training and Prerequisites
Broadcom offers a course titled “VMware Cloud Foundation: Solution Architecture and Design”, available on-demand and instructor-led (virtual) for customers with valid VCF entitlement. Although training is not required for the certification, it is encouraged to help you familiarize yourself with the exam material.
What Makes This Exam Different
This was my first architecture-focused certification, and it required a shift in mindset compared to traditional product exams. This is not a product exam. It is a decision-making exam.
You will encounter questions where multiple answers feel correct. In some cases, they may all be technically valid at some level. Your job is to identify the best answer based on the stated requirements, constraints, and desired outcomes.
Approaching scenarios in this way often means evaluating trade-offs rather than looking for a perfect solution. In a few scenarios, I found myself choosing the option I disagreed with the least. That is part of the process. The exam is testing your ability to make sound design decisions under imperfect conditions, just like you would in the real world.
There is not always a perfect answer – only the most appropriate one.
Wrapping-Up
I can confidently say the exam felt fair. The scenario-based questions can be challenging at times, but they provide enough context to guide you toward a well-reasoned answer. Overall, the exam strikes a strong balance between technical depth and design-focused thinking grounded in real-world outcomes.
Some questions may feel vague or introduce unfamiliar terminology. That is intentional. The goal is not to test definitions, but your ability to interpret concepts and apply them under pressure. Read each question carefully, and do not hesitate to go through it more than once. Small details often carry the most weight.
The Exam Guide is an accurate reflection of what you need to know. You do not need to be an expert in every domain, but you do need to think like an architect. That means evaluating trade-offs, aligning solutions to requirements, and treating VMware Cloud Foundation as a cohesive solution rather than a collection of individual products. If you take that approach, the exam becomes far more manageable.
If you walk into this exam thinking like an operator, it will feel difficult. If you walk in thinking like an architect, it will feel familiar.
If you have questions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below. I cannot share specifics from the exam, but I am always happy to point you in the right direction.
Good luck – you’ve got this!