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Your FREE Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Test 2026 – 380+ Q&A

Prepare with realistic, NBSTSA CST-style questions — take a full practice test or drill one content area at a time, from intraoperative procedures to surgical pharmacology.

Master questions to boost your score

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Click Start Test above to launch a full-length CST practice test weighted exactly like the real NBSTSA exam, or drill a single content area — Intraoperative Procedures, Preoperative Preparation, Postoperative Procedures, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and more. Every question includes a clear rationale so you learn the reasoning, not just the answer.

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam is the national certifying examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for surgical technologists who scrub in and support sterile surgical procedures.

[5] These free CST practice questions follow the published NBSTSA CST content outline, covering preoperative preparation, aseptic technique, intraoperative procedures, postoperative care, administrative duties, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and surgical pharmacology.

[1] Pair these with our free study guide, flashcards for full coverage.

CST Exam at a Glance

CST (NBSTSA Exam) at a glance
DetailCST (NBSTSA Exam)
Questions175 multiple choice (150 scored + 25 unscored pretest)
Question typeSingle-best-answer multiple choice
Time limit4 hours (computer-based, no scheduled breaks)
ResultPass/Fail — at least 98 of 150 scored questions correct
Administered byNBSTSA via PSI/Prometric (in-person or live remote proctored)
EligibilityGraduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (or qualifying military program)
Cost230ASTmembers/230 AST members / 340 non-members (verify at nbstsa.org)
MaintenanceRenew via CE credits (AST) or re-examination; CST is renewed in a recurring cycle

What Is on the CST Exam?

The CST exam follows the official NBSTSA CST Examination Content Outline — two grouped categories, Perioperative Care and Ancillary Duties, plus three standalone categories (Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Surgical Pharmacology) — with Intraoperative Procedures carrying the heaviest weight by far.[2]

Our full 175-item practice form mirrors these official weights across all eight content areas:

CST weighting by content area (175-item form)
Perioperative Care — Intraoperative Procedures45% · ≈79 Qs
Perioperative Care — Preoperative Preparation13% · ≈22 Qs
Anatomy and Physiology12% · ≈21 Qs
Ancillary Duties — Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance11% · ≈19 Qs
Perioperative Care — Postoperative Procedures7% · ≈12 Qs
Ancillary Duties — Administrative and Personnel5% · ≈8 Qs
Microbiology4% · ≈7 Qs
Surgical Pharmacology4% · ≈7 Qs

Percentages and counts reflect a full 175-item form; on the 150 scored items the official outline weights are equivalent (for example, Intraoperative Procedures is 68 of 150 scored questions).[2]

CST practice test — practice questions by domain with answer explanations

Practice Questions by Category

Use Start Test for a full weighted CST simulation, or open the hub and pick a single content area to drill your weak spot. After each full exam, your results show a per-category breakdown so you know exactly where to focus — most candidates need the most reps on Intraoperative Procedures and sterile technique.

What Are the Requirements to Take the CST Exam?

To take the CST exam you must graduate 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), or complete a CAAHEP-accredited military surgical technology training program.[5]

You may apply once you have a confirmed graduation date and acceptable documentation. There is no separate work-experience pathway for first-time CST certification.

How Do You Register for the CST Exam?

You register for the CST exam through the NBSTSA at nbstsa.org by submitting your application and program documentation and paying the fee — currently about $230 for AST members and $340 for non-members.

[3] Once approved, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and schedule through the testing vendor before the ATT expires. You can choose in-person testing at a PSI/Prometric test center or live remote-proctored testing from home.

Confirm current fees and vendors with the NBSTSA, as they change periodically.

What Is the Passing Score for the CST Exam?

The CST exam is pass/fail, and the current passing standard is at least 98 of the 150 scored questions answered correctly.[3] The exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items randomly distributed throughout; because you cannot tell them apart, answer every question.

Results are based only on the scored items, and you have 4 hours to complete the exam with no scheduled breaks.

How Hard Is the CST? (Pass Rate)

The CST pass rate is commonly reported at roughly 70–75% overall, with first-time graduates of strong CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs typically passing at higher rates.[1] The exam is challenging because of its breadth — the heavily weighted Intraoperative Procedures category (about 45% of scored items) demands fluency with aseptic technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures across specialties, and patient positioning and safety.

~70–75%
Reported pass rate
higher for accredited grads
98/150
Passing standard
pass/fail, scored items only
~45%
Intraoperative Procedures
largest category

The takeaway: drill until you’re consistently scoring above target on full-length practice — especially Intraoperative Procedures — before you book your exam date.

What to Expect on Exam Day

Arrive at your PSI/Prometric test center at least 15 minutes early to check in — bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your NBSTSA application.[3]You’ll store phones and personal items before entering; no notes are allowed.

A short tutorial precedes the exam, then you have 4 hours to answer 175 multiple-choice questions with no scheduled breaks, so pace yourself and never leave a question blank. If you test via live remote proctoring, expect a similar room scan and ID check.

NBSTSA processes your results and posts your official pass/fail outcome to your account. Having simulated the full timing with practice tests makes that long clock feel routine.

How to Use This CST Practice Test

  • Recreate exam conditions. Take the full test timed, with no notes.[1]
  • Diagnose, then drill. Use a full CST simulation to find weak categories, then drill them.
  • Prioritize Intraoperative Procedures. It’s the biggest score-mover by far.
  • Learn the why. Read every rationale — understanding beats memorizing.
  • Answer everything. There’s no guessing penalty, so never leave a question blank.

Why Get CST Certified?

The CST credential is the certification most employers recognize for surgical technologists, often required (or strongly preferred) for the role and tied to better job prospects and advancement.[5] These free CST practice tests are the most efficient way to get there.

Conclusion

Passing the CST comes down to mastering intraoperative procedures, aseptic technique, and the broad base of perioperative and basic-science knowledge. Use this free CST practice test with our study guide, flashcards to find your weak categories, drill them to mastery, and walk in confident on test day.

CST Practice Test FAQ

The CST is the Certified Surgical Technologist exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). It certifies surgical technologists who scrub in and support sterile surgical procedures, and it is the credential most employers recognize for the role.

References

  1. 1.National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. “Preparing for the CST Exam.” nbstsa.org. ↑
  2. 2.National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. “CST Examination Content Outline.” nbstsa.org. ↑
  3. 3.National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. “CST / CSFA Frequently Asked Questions.” nbstsa.org. ↑
  4. 4.National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. “CST and CSFA Renewals and Recertification.” nbstsa.org. ↑
  5. 5.National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. “CST Certification.” nbstsa.org. ↑
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