CST Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CST exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
CST exam key facts
- The NBSTSA CST exam has 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. Source
- Candidates have 4 hours to complete the NBSTSA CST exam. Source
- A score of 98 on the 150 scored questions passes the NBSTSA CST exam. Source
- The NBSTSA CST exam costs $340 for first-time candidates, $230 for AST members and $160 for military students. Source
- CST candidates may test up to 3 times per calendar year with no waiting period, submitting a new application and retake fee each time. Source
- The NBSTSA CST certification cycle is 2 years. Source
📋 CST Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CST Topics to Study (48)
✍️ Sample CST Questions & Answers
1. Which statement best describes the surgical technologist's ethical obligation regarding a patient who is under general anesthesia?
Because an anesthetized patient cannot self-advocate, every team member—including the scrub tech—has an increased ethical responsibility to act in the patient's best interest.
2. When assembling a tray for a procedure requiring magnification, the scrub technician should include which type of instruments?
Microsurgery requires delicate micro-instruments with fine tips capable of handling tiny structures without crushing or tearing.
3. A keloid scar differs from a hypertrophic scar in that a keloid:
Keloids are abnormal scar formations that extend beyond the original wound margins into adjacent normal tissue, unlike hypertrophic scars which stay within wound boundaries.
4. Proper instrument passing technique during surgery is important for efficiency because:
Confident, anticipatory instrument passing keeps the operative tempo high and minimizes the surgeon's distraction between maneuvers.
5. In the context of surgical asepsis & sterilization, what role does continuous professional development play for CST practitioners?
Continuous professional development is essential in surgical asepsis & sterilization because it ensures CST practitioners remain current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices, maintaining competency throughout their careers.
6. Which instrument is used to remove bone wax from bone surfaces during orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures?
A periosteal elevator strips and lifts periosteum from bone; it is also used to apply and remove bone wax during surgery.
🎯 Free CST Practice Tests
📖 CST Guides & Articles
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for CST
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length CST mock exam — 175 questions in 150 minutes with a 70% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed CST question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable CST cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- CST flashcards built from the same question bank.
- Free CST practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- nbstsa.org — Score validity, fees, retake fee, retake policy, test dates, test delivery, exam format, score release, passing score, time limit · verified Oct 2026