- A
SWCUR
SWCUR shows swapped memory, a clear indicator of memory pressure.
- B
%SYS
Why wrong: %SYS is a CPU metric, not memory.
- C
ACTV
ACTV (active memory) is a memory-related metric. While active memory alone does not directly measure pressure, a high ACTV value relative to the VM's memory size can indicate that the VM is actively using memory and may be experiencing pressure, especially in conjunction with other metrics like SWCUR and MCTLSZ.
- D
MCTLSZ
MCTLSZ shows balloon driver activity, indicating memory is being reclaimed.
- E
%RDY
Why wrong: %RDY is CPU ready time, unrelated to memory pressure.
Question 88 of 521
Identifying VM Memory Pressure Using esxtop Metrics
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere performance and scaling. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which THREE memory-related metrics in esxtop indicate that a virtual machine is experiencing memory pressure? (Choose three.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SWCUR
SWCUR (current swapped memory) indicates that the VM has swapped memory to disk, a clear sign of memory pressure. MCTLSZ (memory balloon driver size) shows the amount of memory reclaimed by the balloon driver due to contention, also indicating pressure. ACTV (active memory) when high relative to the VM's configured memory can indicate that the VM is actively using memory and may be under pressure, especially when combined with other metrics. %SYS and %RDY are CPU-related metrics and not relevant to memory pressure.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SWCUR
Why this is correct
SWCUR shows swapped memory, a clear indicator of memory pressure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
%SYS
Why it's wrong here
%SYS is a CPU metric, not memory.
- ✓
ACTV
Why this is correct
ACTV (active memory) is a memory-related metric. While active memory alone does not directly measure pressure, a high ACTV value relative to the VM's memory size can indicate that the VM is actively using memory and may be experiencing pressure, especially in conjunction with other metrics like SWCUR and MCTLSZ.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
MCTLSZ
Why this is correct
MCTLSZ shows balloon driver activity, indicating memory is being reclaimed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
%RDY
Why it's wrong here
%RDY is CPU ready time, unrelated to memory pressure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the VCP-DCV exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
vSphere Performance and Scaling — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
vSphere Performance and Scaling practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All VCP-DCV questions
521 questions across all exam domains
- →
VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization VCP-DCV study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
VCP-DCV practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related VCP-DCV practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions.
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to Configure and Manage vSphere Networking.
Configure and Manage vSphere Storage practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to Configure and Manage vSphere Storage.
vSphere Lifecycle Management practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to vSphere Lifecycle Management.
vSphere Security practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to vSphere Security.
vSphere Performance and Scaling practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to vSphere Performance and Scaling.
VCP-DCV fundamentals practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to VCP-DCV fundamentals.
VCP-DCV scenario practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to VCP-DCV scenario.
VCP-DCV troubleshooting practice questions
Practise VCP-DCV questions linked to VCP-DCV troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free VCP-DCV practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this VCP-DCV question test?
vSphere Performance and Scaling — This question tests vSphere Performance and Scaling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SWCUR — SWCUR (current swapped memory) indicates that the VM has swapped memory to disk, a clear sign of memory pressure. MCTLSZ (memory balloon driver size) shows the amount of memory reclaimed by the balloon driver due to contention, also indicating pressure. ACTV (active memory) when high relative to the VM's configured memory can indicate that the VM is actively using memory and may be under pressure, especially when combined with other metrics. %SYS and %RDY are CPU-related metrics and not relevant to memory pressure.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More VCP-DCV practice questions
- A vSphere administrator is managing a cluster with vLCM and receives a notification that a new ESXi patch is available.…
- An administrator needs to apply a security patch to a vLCM-managed cluster. The patch is available as an ESXi image in t…
- An administrator sees the above JSON output from a vLCM compliance report. What should the administrator do to resolve t…
- An administrator is planning to migrate from legacy baselines to vLCM for a cluster. Which TWO statements are true about…
- A vSphere administrator is using vLCM and needs to ensure that all hosts are compliant with the desired image. Which TWO…
- Which TWO actions are recommended to secure the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)?
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This VCP-DCV practice question is part of Courseiva's free VMware certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the VCP-DCV exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.