If you need help studying for the Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CSC practice test!
CSC Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CSC exam, you’ll need to have a current RN or APRN license and a certification in clinical nursing.
You’ll also have to meet ONE of the two clinical practice hour requirements below:
- Two Years: You need at least 1,750 RN/APRN hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients within the last two years.
- Five Years: You need at least 2,000 RN/APRN hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients within the last five years.
If you meet the requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the CSC Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 90 multiple-choice questions total, but only 75 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 15 unscored questions on the CSC exam are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are unscored. Every question will appear like a scored question throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
1. PROCEDURES
11% of the exam
- CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass
- CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass
- Cox maze and modified maze procedure
- Transcatheter valve replacement
- Pericardial window
- Surgical valve repair/replacement
- Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
- Endovascular repair of the aorta
- Open repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection
2. COMPLICATIONS
33% of the exam
- Cardiovascular
- Endocrine
- Gastrointestinal
- Renal
- Respiratory
- Neurology
- Hematology/immunology
- Multisystem
- Psychosocial/behavioral
3. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
43% of the exam
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
- Renal
- Hematology/immunology
- Standards of care
4. MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS
13% of the exam
- Cardiovascular
- Neurology
- Respiratory
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam!
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application via the AACN’s website. If you’re applying with a group, planning to take the paper-and-pencil version of the exam, or testing outside of the US, you’ll need to mail the following items to AANC:
AACN Certification Corporation
Attn: CSC Certification
27071 Aliso Creek Road
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
- Completed application for the CSC exam
- Completed honor statement
- Application fee
The application fee is $230, but if you’re an AANC member, you will only have to pay $140.
CSC Exam Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
CSC Exam Scores
The test is scored using a the Angoff method. Here’s how it works:
The Angoff method involves a group of subject-matter experts taking an educated guess at the percentage of candidates who would correctly answer each question on the test. These estimates are then averaged to set a cut-off score, which test-takers must meet or exceed to pass.
This method aims to ensure the pass threshold reflects the level of knowledge or skill that is deemed minimally acceptable for a particular profession or field.
The cut score for the exam is 55.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test up to our times per year.
In other good news, AANC offers a 30% discount for retakes, so you only pay $160 for each attempt ($115 for AANC members).
FAQs
Is the CSC exam hard?
This is not considered to be a very difficult exam if you study for an adequate amount of time beforehand.
How many questions are on the CSC exam?
The exam contains 90 questions.
What is the time limit for the CSC exam?
The exam is timed at 2 hours.
What is the passing score for the CSC exam?
The cut score for the exam is 55.
How much does the CSC exam cost?
The fee is $230 ($140 for AANC members).