C
Chris D.OP
May 27, 2026
Scheduled for the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam in 6 weeks through NBSTSA. Just finished my surgical tech program and doing 6-week full-time clinical rotation right now. Trying to balance studying while being on my feet in the OR all day.
The practice tests I've done are ranging from 72-78% and I need a 70% to pass (but obviously want better than that). Anatomy and physiology I'm solid on. Surgical procedures and sterilization/infection control feel okay. The pharmacology and anesthesia sections are where I lose points.
Any tips for studying pharmacology when you're exhausted after clinicals?
R
rachel_s
May 28, 2026
Pharmacology on the CST exam is mostly about categories — knowing whether a drug is an anticholinergic, vasopressor, anticoagulant, etc., and what that means in the OR context. You don't need to memorize every drug, just the major classes and their surgical implications.
D
David K.
May 28, 2026
Saunders has a good CST review book specifically. The flashcard format works well for pharm when you only have 20-30 minutes of brain power left at the end of the day.
B
Brian Y.
May 28, 2026
The NBSTSA practice exam is worth the money — it's the most accurate predictor of your actual score. If you're hitting 72-78% on third-party practice, the real exam might be harder or easier depending on the source. Know where your practice tests come from.