Preparing for HashiCorp Certifications Exams: Everything You Need to Know
If you're looking to advance your career in DevOps, infrastructure automation, or cloud computing, earning a HashiCorp certification can be a game-changer. These certifications are globally recognized and demonstrate your expertise in managing modern infrastructure. However, preparing for these exams can be challenging, especially if you're new to the field. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process.
Why HashiCorp Certifications Matter
HashiCorp certifications validate your knowledge and skills in managing modern infrastructure. They are designed for professionals who work with HashiCorp tools like Terraform, Vault, Consul, and Nomad. Here are some reasons why earning a HashiCorp certification can be beneficial for your career:
- HashiCorp certifications are globally recognized by employers and IT professionals.
- Earning a certification demonstrates your expertise in managing modern infrastructure using HashiCorp tools.
- Certifications can help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your earning potential.
- Being certified can boost your confidence and credibility in the workplace.
HashiCorp Certification Exams
HashiCorp offers three levels of certifications: Associate, Professional, and Expert. Each level requires passing a different exam that tests your knowledge and skills with HashiCorp tools.
Associate Level
The Associate level certification is designed for professionals who are new to HashiCorp tools and have less than two years of experience in the field. The certification exam covers the basics of using Terraform, Vault, Consul, and Nomad.
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
The Terraform Associate exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Terraform to automate infrastructure management. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $70.
HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate
The Vault Associate exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Vault to manage secrets and protect sensitive data. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $70.
HashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate
The Consul Associate exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Consul to connect and secure services across any runtime platform and public or private cloud. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $70.
HashiCorp Certified: Nomad Associate
The Nomad Associate exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Nomad to manage and deploy applications on any infrastructure. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $70.
Professional Level
The Professional level certification is designed for professionals who have more than two years of experience in using HashiCorp tools and managing modern infrastructure. The certification exam covers advanced topics in using Terraform, Vault, Consul, and Nomad.
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Professional
The Terraform Professional exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Terraform to design and manage complex infrastructure. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $150.
HashiCorp Certified: Vault Professional
The Vault Professional exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Vault to implement advanced security solutions and protect critical data. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $150.
HashiCorp Certified: Consul Professional
The Consul Professional exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Consul to implement advanced networking and security solutions across multiple datacenters and clouds. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $150.
HashiCorp Certified: Nomad Professional
The Nomad Professional exam validates your knowledge and skills in using Nomad to manage and deploy large-scale applications on diverse infrastructure. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $150.
Expert Level
The Expert level certification is designed for professionals who have extensive experience in using HashiCorp tools and managing large-scale infrastructure. To earn the Expert certification, you must first pass the Professional-level exam and then complete a hands-on practical exam.
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Expert
The Terraform Expert certification requires passing the Terraform Professional exam and then completing a hands-on practical exam that tests your ability to design and implement complex infrastructure using Terraform. The exam fee is $500.
HashiCorp Certified: Vault Expert
The Vault Expert certification requires passing the Vault Professional exam and then completing a hands-on practical exam that tests your ability to implement advanced security solutions using Vault. The exam fee is $500.
HashiCorp Certified: Consul Expert
The Consul Expert certification requires passing the Consul Professional exam and then completing a hands-on practical exam that tests your ability to implement advanced networking and security solutions using Consul. The exam fee is $500.
HashiCorp Certified: Nomad Expert
The Nomad Expert certification requires passing the Nomad Professional exam and then completing a hands-on practical exam that tests your ability to manage and deploy large-scale applications using Nomad. The exam fee is $500.
Preparing for HashiCorp Certification Exams
Preparing for HashiCorp certification exams can be challenging, but it's essential to invest time and effort to ensure your success. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Objectives
Before you start studying, it's essential to understand the exam objectives and the topics covered in the exam. You can find detailed information about the exam objectives on the HashiCorp website. Make sure to review the exam objectives thoroughly to know what to expect in the exam.
2. Get Hands-on Experience
Hands-on experience is crucial to passing HashiCorp certification exams. You need to have practical experience using HashiCorp tools and managing modern infrastructure to be successful
in the exams. Consider setting up a lab environment where you can practice deploying and managing infrastructure using HashiCorp tools. Alternatively, you can use HashiCorp's official documentation to practice on a virtual machine or cloud environment.
3. Use Official Study Materials
HashiCorp offers official study materials for each certification exam, including study guides, online courses, and practice exams. These resources are designed to help you prepare for the exam and provide you with valuable information on the exam objectives and topics. Make sure to use these resources while preparing for your exam.
4. Join the HashiCorp Community
The HashiCorp community is a great place to connect with other professionals and learn from their experiences. Joining the community can give you access to valuable resources and tips on preparing for the certification exams. You can join the community on HashiCorp's website or through social media channels.
5. Practice Time Management
The certification exams are timed, and you need to answer a certain number of questions within the allotted time. Practice time management while preparing for the exam by taking practice exams and setting time limits for each question. This will help you become more comfortable with the format of the exam and ensure that you can answer all the questions within the allotted time.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to prepare for a HashiCorp certification exam?
A: The amount of time it takes to prepare for a certification exam depends on your level of experience and familiarity with HashiCorp tools. It's recommended that you spend at least 30-40 hours studying and practicing for the exam.
Q: What is the passing score for a HashiCorp certification exam?
A: The passing score for HashiCorp certification exams is 70%. This means that you need to answer at least 42 out of 60 questions correctly to pass the exam.
Q: How often do I need to renew my HashiCorp certification?
A: HashiCorp certifications are valid for two years from the date you pass the exam. To renew your certification, you need to retake and pass the current version of the exam before your certification expires.
Q: Can I use exam dumps to prepare for the certification exams?
A: No, using exam dumps is a violation of HashiCorp's exam policies and can result in the revocation of your certification. You should only use official study materials and practice exams to prepare for the certification exams.
Conclusion
HashiCorp certifications are valuable credentials that demonstrate your knowledge and skills in using HashiCorp tools to manage modern infrastructure. By preparing for the certification exams using official study materials, getting hands-on experience, and practicing time management, you can increase your chances of passing the exams and earning a certification. Remember to avoid using exam dumps and follow HashiCorp's exam policies to maintain the integrity of the certification program.