The CST exam from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting is for graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology programs. This page groups our free practice sets by topic and works through sample questions with full explanations. It also sums up the official facts you need: 175 questions, 4 hours, a passing mark of 98 of 150 scored items, and a $340 first-time fee.
The CST has 175 questions, takes about 4 hours and costs $340[1][2] (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, verified Oct 21, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest)[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Time limit | 4 hours[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Passing score | 98 of 150 scored questions correct[3] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $340 (first-time; $230 AST members, $160 military students)[2] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Retake fee | $300 per retake[2] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Up to 3 attempts per calendar year[4] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Validity | 2-year certification cycle[5] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Renewal | 30 AST-approved CE credits + $40 renewal fee (or re-exam $440/$540)[5] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based at PSI test centers (onsite)[6] | test-takers.psiexams.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program[7] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Score release | Within 48 business hours (PSI test center, current students)[1] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Testing window | Year-round, by appointment after approval[2] | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting · Oct 21, 2026 |
According to National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, “Format: 175 multiple-choice questions 150 scored 25 unscored pretest items (randomly placed)”[1]
The CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). It shows you have the knowledge to work safely as a surgical technologist in the operating room.
Eligibility: you must graduate from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program.
Delivery and format: you take the exam on a computer at a PSI test center. It is offered year-round, by appointment, after you are approved to test. You get 4 hours for 175 multiple-choice questions. Only 150 are scored. The other 25 are unscored pretest items placed at random, so you cannot tell which ones they are. Treat every question as if it counts.
Scoring: you pass by answering 98 of the 150 scored questions correctly. Current students who test at a PSI center get their score report by secure email link within 48 business hours. If you test another way, the timing may be different.
Fees and retakes: the first-time fee is $340, or $230 for AST members and $160 for military students. Each retake costs $300, and you can make up to 3 attempts per calendar year.
Renewal: certification runs on a 2-year cycle. You renew with 30 AST-approved CE credits and a $40 fee, or by taking the exam again ($440/$540).
Employer and state rules for surgical technologists vary, and fees can change. Check the current details at nbstsa.org before you apply.
The content areas below are copied from the official CST content outline published by National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| PERIOPERATIVE CARE[8] | CST Surgical Asepsis & Sterilization Practise preoperative setup, aseptic technique, counts, passing instruments and postoperative tasks such as room turnover. |
| BASIC SCIENCE[8] | CST Surgical Anatomy by Specialty Review anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pharmacology as they apply to specific procedures, then test your recall with the anatomy set. |
| ANCILLARY DUTIES[8] | CST Instruments & Equipment Management Practise equipment care and troubleshooting, supply handling, and the professional and legal duties that surround the case itself. |
Prepare for the CST - Certified Surgery Technician exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: During a carotid endarterectomy, the surgical technologist should have which shunt available to maintain cerebral perfusion while the carotid artery is clamped?
Answer: C. Pruitt-Inahara shunt
Explanation:
C, Pruitt-Inahara shunt, is the keyed answer. Its balloon tips inflate inside the common and internal carotid arteries. That holds the shunt in place and keeps blood flowing to the brain while the artery is clamped and opened.
B, Fogarty catheter, is an embolectomy catheter that pulls clots out of a vessel. It does not carry blood past a clamp. A, Javid, and D, Argyle, are also carotid shunts that some surgeons prefer. They have no balloon tips and are usually held with external clamps or tourniquets. The question is testing whether you know the balloon-tipped design.
Rule to remember: the choice of shunt depends on the surgeon, so check the preference card. Know which device restores flow (a shunt) and which removes clot (a Fogarty).
Question: Which type of surgical drain works by passive gravity drainage and does not use suction?
Answer: C. Penrose drain
Explanation:
C, Penrose drain, is correct. It is a soft, flat, open tube. Fluid leaves the wound by gravity and capillary action, with no suction attached.
A, Jackson-Pratt, and B, Blake drain with bulb suction, are closed drains connected to a compressible bulb. Squeezing the bulb creates gentle negative pressure. D, Hemovac, is also a closed suction drain. It uses a spring-loaded canister that pulls fluid out as it expands.
Rule to remember: if a drain has a bulb, canister or reservoir that you compress to create negative pressure, it is active (suction) drainage. The Penrose is the classic passive drain. It is open to the dressing, so expect it to be secured with a safety pin or suture and covered with absorbent dressings.
Question: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the scrub tech notices the laparoscope is fogging repeatedly. The MOST efficient intraoperative solution is:
Answer: B. Warming the scope tip or applying anti-fog solution to clear the lens without interrupting flow
Explanation:
B is correct. A scope fogs when a cooler lens meets the warm, humid air inside the abdomen. Warming the scope tip in a warmer or warm saline, or wiping on anti-fog solution, fixes the cause in moments and keeps the case moving.
A stops the case for a problem that does not need a new scope. C is unsafe: operating without a clear view risks injury to the bile duct, vessels or bowel. D puts off a problem that affects the patient right now, and documentation does not restore vision.
Rule to remember: when a question asks for the MOST efficient fix, choose the action that solves the problem at the field without putting patient safety or sterility at risk. Have warm water or anti-fog solution ready before the scope goes in so you can act without delay.
Here is a simple way to prepare with these sets and the official material:
The CST exam has 175 multiple-choice questions, and you have 4 hours. Only 150 questions are scored. The other 25 are unscored pretest items placed at random, and you cannot tell which ones they are, so answer every question carefully. The exam is taken on a computer at a PSI test center.
You need 98 correct answers out of the 150 scored questions. The 25 pretest items do not count toward your score. They are mixed in at random, though, so treat all 175 questions as scored. Check nbstsa.org for current scoring details before test day.
The fee for first-time candidates is $340. AST members pay a discounted $230, and military students pay $160. Each retake costs $300. Fees can change, so check the current amounts on the NBSTSA website before you apply.
You can make up to 3 exam attempts per calendar year. Each retake requires the $300 retake fee. Before you rebook, use your score report to find your weakest content areas, then work through the matching practice sets on this page.
Current students who test at a PSI test center get their score report by secure email link within 48 business hours. The clock starts once PSI transfers the results and your file is complete. If you test another way, check the NBSTSA website for the timing that applies to you.
CST certification runs on a 2-year cycle. To renew, you complete 30 AST-approved CE credits, submit the renewal application and pay a $40 fee. You can also recertify by taking the exam again, which costs $440 or $540. NBSTSA lists the full requirements.
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