VCP-DCV vSphere Performance and Scaling Practice Question
Which three actions can reduce CPU ready time for a virtual machine in a vSphere cluster? (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
✓
Place the VM on a host with lower CPU utilization
The correct options are C, D, and E. Placing the VM on a host with lower CPU utilization (C) reduces contention for CPU resources, thereby lowering CPU ready time. Reducing the number of vCPUs allocated to the VM (D) decreases the CPU demand, reducing the time the VM spends waiting for physical CPU cycles. Increasing the host's physical CPU count by adding a new host to the cluster (E) provides more CPU resources overall, which can reduce ready time. Option A, enabling CPU hot-add, does not reduce existing CPU ready time; it only allows adding vCPUs later without rebooting, which could increase contention. Option B, setting CPU affinity manually, often reduces the scheduler's flexibility and can increase ready time, not decrease it.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable CPU hot-add on the VM
Why it's wrong here
CPU hot-add allows adding vCPUs later but does not reduce current ready time.
- ✗
Set the VM's CPU affinity manually
Why it's wrong here
Manual CPU affinity limits scheduler flexibility and often increases ready time.
- ✓
Place the VM on a host with lower CPU utilization
Why this is correct
Lower host utilization means more CPU resources available for the VM, reducing ready time.
- ✓
Reduce the number of vCPUs allocated to the VM
Why this is correct
Fewer vCPUs mean less contention for physical CPUs, reducing ready time.
- ✓
Increase the host's physical CPU count by adding a new host to the cluster
Why this is correct
Adding hosts increases the available physical CPUs, reducing overall contention.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.