If you need help studying for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CST practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
How to Register
Exam Scores
Retaking the Exam
Online CST® Prep Course
FAQs
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CST exam, you’ll have to follow one of the two eligibility routes:
- You have to graduate from a surgical technology program
- You have to graduate from a military training program in surgical technology
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 175 multiple-choice questions total, but only 150 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 20 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 4 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 CST exam.
1. Perioperative Care
97 questions
- Preoperative preparation (19 questions)
- Intraoperative procedures (68 questions)
- Postoperative procedures (10 questions)
2. Ancillary Duties
23 questions
- Administrative and personnel (7 questions)
- Equipment sterilization and maintenance (16 questions)
3. Basic Science
30 questions
- Anatomy and Physiology (18 questions)
- Microbiology (6 questions)
- Surgical pharmacology (6 questions)
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 on NBSTSA’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $290. If you’re an AST member, you will only have to pay $190.
CST Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The scoring system for the CST exam is very simple: You get one point for each correct answer, for a maximum of 150 points.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test during the next available testing period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test, and you can only take the test up to three times per year.
Online Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online Certified Surgical Technologist Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) Course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 700+ Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Questions
- More than 400 Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®) Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their Certified Surgical Technologist exam. Click below to check it out!
FAQs
How many questions are on the CST exam?
The exam contains 175 questions.
Can you take the CST exam without going to school?
No, you’ll have to complete an accredited surgical technology program to take the exam.
What is the time limit for the CST exam?
The exam is timed at 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the CST exam?
You’ll need to answer at least 98 questions correctly to pass.
How much does the CST exam cost?
The testing fee is $190 for AST members and $290 for non-members.
