TRY OUR FREE CST
PRACTICE TEST 2026
Are you preparing for your Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam? The best way to assess your readiness is by taking a realistic practice test that reflects the latest 2026Â CST syllabus. Our free CST practice test is here to help you!
What Is CST?
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification proves your expertise in maintaining sterile environments, assisting in surgeries, and ensuring patient safety.Â
It’s awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to those who meet specific education, training, and exam requirements.Â
This certification demonstrates a surgical technologist’s expertise in maintaining sterile environments, assisting surgeons during procedures, and ensuring patient safety in operating rooms.
Why Take a CST Practice Test?
- Stronger Job Prospects: Many hospitals and surgical facilities prefer or require CST certification when hiring surgical technologists.
- Increased Salary Potential: Certified professionals often earn higher wages compared to those without certification.
- Improved Expertise and Professional Recognition: Earning a CST credential demonstrates advanced skills and knowledge, reinforcing credibility within surgical teams and ensuring high standards of patient care.
How to prepare for your CST exam?
Educational Requirements
To become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), candidates must meet specific educational and certification requirements.
Educational Prerequisites:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent: Aspiring CSTs must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Accredited Surgical Technology Program: Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is essential.
Register for the CST Exam
The CST Exam application can be submitted by logging in to the practitioner login at NBSTSA. If you don’t have an account already, create a new account by providing all the required information and continue the process. Mail-in applications may create delays in your process, but are accepted if necessary.
Pay for your CST exam
The fee structure for the CST exam and certification renewal is as follows:
Preparation for the CST Exam
Taking online quizzes is a good start, but it’s an inefficient form of exam practice and preparation.
How to Pass the CST Exam on Your First Try?
Passing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam on your first attempt requires effective preparation and smart test-taking strategies. The CST exam is challenging for those who have completed formal training and work experience. Simply showing up on exam day without proper preparation isn’t enough.
With a 75% pass rate, preparation is crucial. Approach your CST exam strategically to maximize your success.
That’s why we put together CST Hero, which tells you exactly what you need to know and gives you all the tools you need to prepare. It’s so good that our students’ pass rate is 98% – and if you don’t pass the first time, we’ll give you a full refund!
We’ll tell you more about CST Hero after you’ve taken the practice test. Taking free CST practice tests is a great place to start because the practice questions you get right and wrong will give you an idea of which content categories you need to focus on.
CST Exam Outline
The CST examination includes a total of 175 questions, with 150 questions contributing to the final score. The remaining 25 questions are pretest items that do not count toward the final score.Â
These unscored questions are randomly placed throughout the exam and are used for statistical analysis and evaluation. The 150 questions are distributed in the following pattern:
On The Day of Examination
Present Your Valid ID Card
To take the exam, you must present a valid, current form of identification. Acceptable primary IDs include:
- Driver’s license with a photograph
- State-issued identification card with a photograph
- Passport
- Military ID card with a photograph
The following forms of identification cannot be used as a primary ID but may serve as secondary identification:
- Social Security card
- Employment ID card
- Student ID card
Test Administration Process
Once your identification is verified, you will be assigned a testing carrel. On-screen instructions will guide you to enter your Social Security number or identification number.
As part of the process, your photograph will be taken and displayed on-screen for the duration of your exam session. This same photograph will also appear on your score report.
Before starting the actual exam, you will have the chance to practice using the computer-based testing system to familiarize yourself with the format.
Test Center Rules
- No study materials, personal items, or weapons are allowedÂ
- Only keys and wallets may be brought into the testing room.
- No electronic devices
- Scratch paper and pencils will be provided
- No questions about the exam content may be asked during the test.
- Breaks are allowed but do not extend exam time
- You may leave the test center only after the exam time has ended.
Receiving Your CST Exam Results
The timing of when you receive your exam scores depends on your testing location and status.
- On-Campus Testing (WBT): If you take the exam at your school’s campus testing center, your scores will be available after you meet the graduation requirement and your school has released them to you.
- PSI Testing Centers (Surgical First Assisting Students): If you test at a PSI testing center, you will receive an email with a link to your score report within approximately 48 business hours. This happens after PSI transfers your scores to NBSTSA, and your file is complete.
- Post-Graduate Testing: If you take the exam more than 45 days after graduation at a testing center and have submitted your transcripts, you may receive your score report on the day of the test.
NOTE: To pass the CST exam, you must score 98 questions out of 150 questions.
About the CST Practice Test
This free practice test includes 15 realistic CST questions, mirroring what you’ll encounter on the actual exam.
They cover all three content categories that the CST tests you on:
- Perioperative Care (91 questions of the exam’s content)
- Ancillary Duties (26 questions)
- Basic Science (33 questions)
Take the CST practice test now and get a personalized score breakdown delivered to your email. Find out exactly where you stand and what to improve!
Then cross your fingers and click through to see your score!
Frequently Asked Questions about the CST Practice Test
The CST exam is a computer-based exam with 175 multiple-choice questions – 150 of which are scored, and 25 of which are unscored. Unscored questions are placed randomly throughout the exam, and you won’t know which ones they are.
The CST exam tests knowledge of:Â
- Surgical Procedures
- Focusing On AnatomyÂ
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Sterile Techniques
- Patient Care
- Equipment Maintenance
- Professional Duties.Â
It also emphasizes maintaining a sterile field and assisting surgeons with instruments and supplies.
You’ll have four hours to answer the questions.
You will receive a preliminary pass or fail report right after you finish the exam. An official score report will be sent to you approximately 2 weeks after the exam is taken.
To pass the exam, you will need to answer at least 102 of the 150 scored questions correctly.
The CST exam can be taken up to three times per year, with the full fee required for each attempt.
To be eligible for the CST exam, you must either have graduated from a surgical technology program or a military training program in surgical technology.
The use of scaled scores allows for direct comparison of scores from one examination form to another because the passing standard will always be the same, a scaled score of 350.
We’ve heard of people passing with as little as a week of study, but a more realistic amount of time to allow is 1-2 months. Allowing longer to prepare will make the experience less stressful, and you’re also more likely to retain the knowledge.
Get Ready – Here's The Practice Test. Good Luck!
