Aiming for the Cloud Foundry Certified Developer (CFCD) certification? Here are some tips.
Tags: cloudfoundry, paas, cfcd, certification
Published: 2019-06-12 06:16:23

---
title: Aiming for the Cloud Foundry Certified Developer (CFCD) certification? Here are some tips.
published: true
description: Tips for passing the Cloud Foundry Certified Developer (CFCD) certification exam.
tags: Cloud Foundry, PaaS, CFCD, Certification
---
> Reproduced from [Null Pointer](http://nullpointer.debashish.com/cloud-foundry-certified-developer-certification-tips)

I cleared the Cloud Foundry Certified Developer (CFCD) certification in March 2019 and thought of sharing some tips for the benefit of others. CFCD is a professional cloud native developer certification. It's an excellent way for the developers to demonstrate their Cloud skills in general and Cloud Foundry expertise in specific. This is a remotely proctored performance based online exam, where you would be required to only use Cloud Foundry CLI for solving problems on an Ubuntu VM, apart from answering some [MCQ](https://fullforms.com/MCQ)s (15 questions each). Total time allocated for completing the examination is 3 hours (which will be needed, believe me).

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# Recommended steps for attaining the CFCD certification:
Read through the:
* [Candidate handbook](http://www.cloudfoundry.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/CFFCertCandidateHandbook.pdf)
* [Exam rubric](https://www.cloudfoundry.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CFCD-Exam-Rubric.pdf)
* [Official exam tips](https://cloudfoundry.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Tips-for-CFCD.pdf)
* [Official Study Guide](https://www.cloudfoundry.org/wp-content/uploads/CFCD-Study-Guide.pdf)
* Gain practical experience using Cloud Foundry, there is no substitute for that. In fact the exam is focused on testing the hands-on skills (aptly called a performance based exam).

# Additional tips/information:
* Ensure that you run the [system compatibility check](https://www.examslocal.com/ScheduleExam/Home/CompatibilityCheck) before attending the exam, so that you don't run into issues during the exam. You would need a laptop having a webcam.
* Ensure reserving a quite isolated place for these 3 hours. Your workstation should be clean, the proctors do not even allow keeping a water bottle on the table, they will ask you to pan your webcam around to show around the room, even under the table :). Also get rid of any wearable devices.
* Do carry a Government issued Photo ID proof with you for verification.
* Be aware that Linux Foundation may cancel your chosen exam slot, if there are any technical issues. But they do inform you in advance. Do check your emails before heading for the exam, in case you are travelling.
* The exam result provides only an overall pass percentage but no topic-wise breakup of performance.
* You should be familiar with application development in Java, NodeJS or Ruby (exam provides a choice to use any one of these) and be comfortable using basic Unix commands and file editor.

Use the following supplementary material for your preparation:
* [PCF study guides & review questions](https://djitz.com/tag/pivotal-cloud-foundry/) (free)
* [LFD232: Cloud Foundry for developers](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/cloud-foundry-for-developers/) by Linux Foundation ($299)
* Practice test provided with [CFCD course](https://linuxacademy.com/devops/training/course/name/cloud-foundry-certified-developer) from Linux Academy (subscription based)