Free CST Practice Test 2026 | NBSTSA Exam Questions & Answers
What Is CST?
The Certified Surgical Technologist, or CST®, credential is a nationally recognized certification for surgical technologists. It is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA, to candidates who meet eligibility requirements and pass the CST exam.
The credential shows that a surgical technologist has the knowledge and skills needed to support safe patient care before, during, and after surgery, including sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, operating-room procedures, and infection control.
CST Exam Format at a Glance
Before taking a CST practice test, it helps to understand how the official NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist exam is structured. The CST exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 questions are scored, and 25 questions are unscored pretest questions. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Feature | Details |
Exam name | Certified Surgical Technologist exam |
Administered by | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA |
Total questions | 175 |
Scored questions | 150 |
Unscored questions | 25 |
Time limit | 4 hours |
Passing score | 98 correctly scored questions |
Main content areas | Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, Basic Science |
NBSTSA established 98 out of 150 as the raw score passing point for the CST examination. The three main content areas are Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, and Basic Science.
Why Take a CST Practice Test?
A CST practice test helps you understand the exam format, identify weak areas, and build confidence before test day. Since the CST exam covers perioperative care, ancillary duties, and basic science, practice questions can show whether you need to spend more time on topics such as sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, anatomy, microbiology, or pharmacology.
Earning the CST credential can also support career growth. NBSTSA states that CST certification is preferred or required by many employers nationwide and is required by many states.
- Find your weak content areas before exam day.
- Practice answering NBSTSA-style multiple-choice questions.
- Improve timing for a 4-hour exam.
- Review explanations so you understand why an answer is correct.
- Build confidence before scheduling the real exam.
Start Your Free CST Practice Test
Answer 15 exam-style questions and get a score breakdown to see which CST topics you should review next.
How to prepare for your CST exam?
Preparing for the CST exam takes more than memorizing facts or taking random quizzes. The best approach is to understand the exam structure, identify your weak areas, and study each topic based on how heavily it appears on the test.
Start by taking a CST practice test to get a baseline score. This helps you see which areas you already understand and which topics need more review. After each practice test, do not just look at your final score. Review every missed question and group your mistakes by topic, such as sterile technique, intraoperative procedures, anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, or equipment sterilization.
Next, study the official CST exam content areas. The exam covers three main categories: Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, and Basic Science. Since Perioperative Care makes up the largest part of the exam, you should spend extra time reviewing preoperative preparation, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative procedures.
A simple study plan may look like this:
The goal is not just to answer more questions. The goal is to understand the reasoning behind each answer, improve your weak areas, and become more comfortable with the format of the CST exam.
CST Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the CST exam, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA.
- The most common eligibility pathway is graduating from 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).
- NBSTSA also lists a military training pathway for eligible candidates who have completed a surgical technology program through the military.
- Candidates must provide the required documentation when applying, such as proof of graduation or other eligibility documents requested by NBSTSA.
Because eligibility rules can change, candidates should always confirm the latest requirements directly with NBSTSA before submitting an application.
How to Register for the CST Exam
After confirming that you meet the CST eligibility requirements, you can apply for the exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA. The online application is usually the fastest option, while mail-in applications may take longer to process.
Follow these steps to register for the CST exam:
- Confirm your eligibility: Make sure you meet NBSTSA’s eligibility requirements before starting your application.
- Create or log in to your NBSTSA profile: Visit the NBSTSA practitioner portal and sign in to your account. If you do not already have an account, create one using your personal and contact information.
- Complete the CST exam application: Fill out the required application details carefully. Make sure your name and personal information match your identification documents.
- Upload or submit the required documentation: Provide the documents required by NBSTSA, such as proof of graduation from an eligible surgical technology program or military training documentation, if applicable.
- Pay the application or exam fee: Submit the required fee with your application. Fees may vary based on membership status, so check the latest NBSTSA fee details before applying.
- Wait for application approval: NBSTSA will review your application and documents. Processing times may vary, especially if you submit a mail-in application or incomplete documentation.
- Schedule your exam: Once your application is approved, follow the instructions provided by NBSTSA to schedule your CST exam through the approved testing process.
Before submitting your application, review all information carefully. Incomplete or inaccurate applications can delay approval and may affect when you can schedule your exam.
CST Exam and Certification Renewal Fees
The fee structure for the CST exam and certification renewal is as follows:
Source: CST Exam Fee & Certification Renewal Fee
Preparation for the CST Exam
Practice tests are a useful first step, but they work best when combined with targeted review. After taking a CST practice test, review every missed question, identify the content category it belongs to, and study that topic before taking another set of questions.
How to Pass the CST Exam on Your First Try?
The CST exam is challenging because it tests a wide range of entry-level surgical technology knowledge, including sterile technique, intraoperative procedures, surgical instrumentation, anatomy, microbiology, and pharmacology. The exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions, with 150 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Recent NBSTSA certification data shows that the national first-time pass rate is around 70%, which means preparation can make a major difference. Instead of relying on last-minute review, use a structured study plan that combines practice questions, content review, and timed exam practice.
To improve your chances of passing the CST exam on your first attempt:
- Start with a CST practice test: A practice test helps you identify your strongest and weakest areas before you begin studying.
- Review the official exam outline: Focus your study time based on the topics tested on the exam. Perioperative Care is the largest content area, followed by Basic Science and Ancillary Duties.
- Spend more time on high-weight topics: Prioritize heavily tested areas such as intraoperative procedures, sterile technique, patient positioning, surgical counts, specimen handling, equipment sterilization, anatomy, microbiology, and surgical pharmacology.
- Review every missed question: Do not just check your score. For each missed question, identify the topic, understand why your answer was wrong, and review the correct concept before moving on.
- Practice under timed conditions: Since the CST exam has a 4-hour time limit, timed practice can help you build confidence and improve pacing before exam day.
Use a consistent study schedule: Short, focused study sessions over several weeks are usually more effective than cramming right before the test.
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.
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:
How to Review Missed CST Practice Questions
Do not just count your final score after taking a CST practice test. Your missed questions are the most useful part of your practice because they show exactly which topics need more review.
For every missed question, write down:
- The topic being tested
- Why was your answer wrong
- Why is the correct answer right
- The rule, process, or concept you need to remember
Then group your missed questions by CST exam domain, such as Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, or Basic Science. This helps you see whether your mistakes are coming from surgical procedures, sterile technique, equipment sterilization, anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, or another topic.
For example, if most of your missed questions are related to intraoperative procedures, you should spend more study time reviewing surgical instrumentation, patient positioning, counts, specimen handling, and sterile field maintenance.
This approach makes your practice test more useful because you are not only checking your score. You are using each missed question to build a focused study plan before exam day.
What to Expect on CST Exam Day
On exam day, arrive early and bring valid, current identification. Test-center rules may vary by location, so always review your NBSTSA authorization details and testing-center instructions before your appointment.
Present Your Valid ID Card
You must bring a valid, current photo ID to the testing center. Your identification should match the name used on your CST exam application.
Acceptable forms of primary identification may 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
Follow the Test Administration Process
After your identification is verified, the testing-center staff will guide you through the check-in process. You may be assigned a testing station and asked to follow on-screen instructions before beginning the exam.
Before the actual exam starts, you may have a chance to review the computer-based testing format so you understand how to navigate through the questions.
Test Center Rules
To avoid delays or problems on exam day, review the test-center rules before your appointment. In general:
- Study materials and personal items are not allowed in the testing room.
- Electronic devices are not allowed during the exam.
- Scratch paper and pencils may be provided by the test center.
- Breaks may be allowed, but they do not extend your exam time.
- You cannot ask questions about exam content during the test.
Because policies can change, always follow the latest instructions provided by NBSTSA and your testing center.
How Is the CST Exam Scored?
The CST exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 questions are scored, and 25 questions are unscored pretest questions. The unscored questions are mixed throughout the exam and are used for exam development and statistical evaluation.
NBSTSA currently states that candidates pass the CST exam by answering 98 of the 150 scored questions correctly.
Because the 25 pretest questions are not identified during the exam, candidates should answer every question carefully.
When Will I Receive My CST Exam Results?
The timing of your CST exam results depends on how and where you take the exam. NBSTSA provides score reports to candidates who take the examination.
For candidates who test through an approved testing process, score-report timing may vary based on testing location, graduation status, transcript submission, and whether the candidate’s file is complete. If you test through an on-campus web-based testing program, your school may receive exam-related notifications after scores are processed. NBSTSA school guidance notes that score processing can take around 48 hours in that context.
Before test day, review the instructions from NBSTSA, your school, if applicable, and your testing center so you know when and how your score report will be released.
About the CST Practice Test
This free CST practice test includes 15 exam-style questions designed to help you check your readiness for the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist exam. The questions sample the three major CST exam areas: Perioperative Care, Ancillary Duties, and Basic Science.
The official CST exam includes 150 scored questions across these content areas:
Content area | Scored items |
Perioperative Care | 97 |
Ancillary Duties | 23 |
Basic Science | 30 |
Total | 150 |
Disclaimer
Medical Hero is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA. CST® is a registered credential of NBSTSA.
NBSTSA does not endorse or recommend specific study materials, classes, books, or apps. Candidates should always refer to NBSTSA for the most current information on exams, eligibility, applications, and certification.
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:
- Surgical Procedures
- Focusing On Anatomy
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Sterile Techniques
- Patient Care
- Equipment Maintenance
- Professional Duties.
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.
