VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation
Complete Study Guide for VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation (2V0-31.23)
The VCP-CMA certification validates your skills in deploying, configuring, and administering VMware Aria Automation (formerly vRealize Automation). This professional-level certification demonstrates expertise in cloud automation, infrastructure as code, blueprint design, and multi-cloud management. It's essential for cloud architects, automation engineers, and IT professionals managing modern cloud infrastructures.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Cloud Automation Engineers
- VMware Infrastructure Administrators
- DevOps Engineers working with VMware
- Cloud Architects designing automation solutions
- IT professionals transitioning to cloud automation
Prerequisites
- 6-12 months of hands-on experience with VMware Aria Automation
- Understanding of vSphere infrastructure and management
- Basic knowledge of YAML and infrastructure as code concepts
- Familiarity with cloud computing concepts and multi-cloud environments
- Recommended: VMware VCP-DCV certification or equivalent experience
Official Resources
VMware Certification Program Overview
Official certification landing page with exam requirements and registration information
View ResourceVMware Aria Automation Documentation
Comprehensive official documentation for VMware Aria Automation covering architecture, deployment, and operations
View ResourceVMware Aria Suite Documentation
Complete documentation for the VMware Aria Suite including integration points
View ResourceVMware Learning Zone
Official training portal with courses, learning paths, and certification information
View ResourceVMware Hands-on Labs
Free hands-on labs for practicing VMware Aria Automation in a sandbox environment
View ResourceVMware Aria Automation Release Notes
Latest features, improvements, and updates relevant to the exam
View ResourceVMware Technical Papers
Whitepapers and technical documentation on cloud automation and best practices
View ResourceRecommended Courses
VMware Aria Automation: Install, Configure, Manage [V8.10]
VMware Official Training • 40 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
VMware vRealize Automation Guide
by Various Authors
Comprehensive guides covering vRealize Automation (now Aria Automation) concepts, deployment, and administration. Search for latest editions.
View on AmazonMastering VMware vRealize Automation
by VMware Press
Advanced techniques for cloud automation, blueprint design, and multi-cloud orchestration with VMware Aria Automation.
View on AmazonVMware Certification Study Guides
by VMware Press
Official and unofficial study guides for VMware VCP certifications covering exam objectives and practice questions.
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
VMware Hands-on Labs
Free, browser-based labs providing hands-on experience with VMware Aria Automation without requiring your own infrastructure. Essential for practical experience.
View ResourceVMware Learning Zone Practice Tests
Official practice exams that simulate the actual certification exam format and difficulty level
View ResourceVMware Aria Automation Trial
Trial version of VMware Aria Automation for setting up your own practice environment
View ResourceVMware Code Samples and Examples
Official GitHub repositories with cloud template examples, ABX actions, and automation workflows
View ResourceVMware Aria Automation Simulator
Practice environment for testing cloud templates and automation scenarios
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
VMware Technology Network (VMTN) Communities
Official VMware forums with dedicated sections for Aria Automation, certification discussions, and technical Q&A
Join Communityr/vmware
Active Reddit community discussing VMware products, certifications, career advice, and troubleshooting
Join CommunityVMware Aria Automation Blog
Official VMware blogs featuring product updates, best practices, and real-world use cases
Join CommunityVMware User Groups (VMUG)
Local and online user groups for networking, learning, and sharing experiences with VMware technologies
Join CommunityVMware Certification Discord
Community Discord servers where certification candidates share study tips, resources, and support (search for VMware-specific servers)
Join CommunityvExperts Community
VMware vExpert community blogs, resources, and insights from VMware experts worldwide
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice is Critical
- Spend at least 60% of your study time on hands-on practice - this exam tests practical skills
- Complete all relevant VMware Hands-on Labs multiple times until you can navigate without guidance
- Build your own home lab using VMware trials or sign up for a cloud-based lab environment
- Create at least 20 different cloud templates covering various scenarios
- Practice troubleshooting deployment failures - this is heavily tested
Master YAML and Cloud Template Syntax
- Create flashcards for common YAML syntax, resource types, and properties
- Practice writing cloud templates from memory without referring to documentation
- Understand the difference between resource types: Cloud.vSphere.Machine vs Cloud.AWS.EC2.Instance
- Learn all input constraint types and when to use each
- Master conditional expressions and the syntax for 'if-else' logic in templates
- Practice day 2 operations configuration in templates
Focus on Multi-Cloud Scenarios
- Don't just focus on vSphere - understand AWS, Azure, and GCP integration
- Practice configuring cloud accounts for at least three different cloud providers
- Understand cloud-specific resource types and their properties
- Learn the differences in networking concepts across clouds
- Practice creating templates that can deploy to multiple clouds with minimal changes
Understand Architecture Deeply
- Draw the architecture diagram from memory multiple times
- Understand which components communicate with each other and via which protocols
- Know the purpose of each service (Cloud Assembly, Service Broker, Orchestrator, etc.)
- Understand high availability configurations and disaster recovery options
- Memorize key ports and their purposes for troubleshooting scenarios
RBAC and Administration
- Create a matrix of roles and their permissions - this is frequently tested
- Understand the difference between organization roles and service roles
- Practice scenarios: 'User A needs to do X, what roles do they need?'
- Learn where to find logs for different components
- Practice common administrative tasks until they become second nature
- Understand policy types and their scopes thoroughly
Documentation Navigation
- Familiarize yourself with the official documentation structure - you may need to reference concepts mentally
- Bookmark key sections: cloud template schema, resource types, ABX examples
- Create your own quick reference guide with syntax examples
- Note the differences between Aria Automation versions
- Keep a troubleshooting checklist based on common error messages
Exam-Specific Strategies
- The exam is scenario-based - practice thinking through end-to-end solutions
- Time management is crucial: 130 minutes for 70 questions = ~1.85 minutes per question
- Flag difficult questions and return to them - don't get stuck
- Read questions carefully - look for keywords like 'BEST', 'MOST', 'LEAST'
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first to improve odds on difficult questions
- Watch for questions testing your knowledge of what NOT to do
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive at the test center 15 minutes early or log in to online proctoring early to handle technical checks
- 2Bring two forms of ID if testing at a center, ensure proper lighting and clean desk for online proctoring
- 3Read each question completely before looking at answers - the scenario details matter
- 4Watch for negative questions ('which is NOT', 'EXCEPT') - these are easy to miss under pressure
- 5Use the flag/mark feature liberally - review flagged questions if time permits
- 6Trust your first instinct unless you find a clear reason to change your answer
- 7Manage your time: check progress every 20 questions to ensure you're on pace
- 8If you encounter a complex scenario question, break it down into requirements and evaluate each answer against all requirements
- 9Remember that 300/500 is passing - you don't need perfection, focus on what you know best
- 10Stay calm if you encounter unfamiliar topics - make educated guesses and move forward
- 11Use the whiteboard/scratch paper provided to draw architectures or write out template logic for complex questions
- 12Don't panic if you see questions on features you haven't seen - some questions may be unscored beta questions
Study guide generated on January 7, 2026
VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation 2025 Study Guide FAQs
VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation is a professional certification from VMware that validates expertise in vmware certified professional - cloud management and automation technologies and concepts. The official exam code is 2V0-31.23.
The VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the 2V0-31.23 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources