NBSTSA Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026)
🎓 Prepare for the NBSTSA certification. Practice questions with answer explanations covering all exam domains.
NBSTSA Practice Test PDF – Free Printable Exam Prep
Preparing for the NBSTSA exam? A printable NBSTSA practice test PDF lets you review questions, test your knowledge offline, and build the exam readiness that timed, screen-based testing demands. Whether you are studying at home, commuting, or revisiting weak areas on paper, a printed practice test remains one of the most effective preparation formats available. This page provides a free PDF download and a structured study guide for the NBSTSA examination. Practice with the free NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (11 questions with answer explanations).
The NBSTSA assessment tests candidates on the core competencies required for certification or qualification in the field. A strong preparation strategy combines repeated practice testing with targeted review of areas where accuracy falls below 70%. Use this PDF alongside the online NBSTSA practice tests on this site for the most complete preparation experience — paper for review and annotation, online for timed simulation with instant scoring.
What the NBSTSA Exam Covers
Candidates are tested across the primary knowledge domains that define competency in the NBSTSA field. Each domain contributes a weighted percentage of the total scored questions. High-weight domains deserve proportionally more preparation time. The exam format is typically multiple-choice, and understanding the question structure — identifying the best answer rather than the first correct-sounding one — is as important as content knowledge.
Common high-priority areas include foundational theory, applied practice, regulations or standards governing the field, and scenario-based reasoning that tests judgment under realistic conditions. Review official exam content outlines from the certifying body to confirm current domain weights before your examination date, as content outlines are updated periodically.
How to Use This Practice Test PDF
Print the PDF, set a timer proportional to the number of questions, and complete each section without reference materials to simulate real exam conditions. After grading, categorize every incorrect answer by domain to build a targeted error log. Prioritize re-study in your weakest domains, then take an additional timed practice session to confirm improvement. Repeat the cycle until accuracy is consistently above 75% across all domains.
Free NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Study Tools
Interactive NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- Free NBSTSA MCQ Questions and Answers — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
- The NBSTSA CSFA exam has 175 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which are scored. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- The NBSTSA CST exam has 175 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which are scored and 25 of which are unscored pretest items. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- The NBSTSA CST and CSFA exams each have a 4-hour time limit, and breaks count against that time. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- To pass the NBSTSA CSFA exam, a candidate must answer 99 of the 150 scored questions correctly. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- To pass the NBSTSA CST exam, a candidate must answer 98 of the 150 scored questions correctly. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- The NBSTSA CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant) exam costs $350 for first-time candidates, $240 for first-time candidates who are AST members, and $160 for military students. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- The NBSTSA CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) exam costs $340 for first-time candidates, $230 for first-time candidates who are AST members, and $160 for military students. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- Retaking the NBSTSA CSFA exam costs $310 per attempt. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
- Retaking the NBSTSA CST exam costs $300 per attempt, and that fee includes a $100 non-refundable processing fee. (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting)
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
NBSTSA Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (CSFA) | 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored) | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Number of questions (CST) | 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored) | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Time limit | 4 hours | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Passing score (CSFA) | 99 correct of 150 scored questions | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Passing score (CST) | 98 correct of 150 scored questions | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Exam fee (CSFA) | $350 ($240 for first-time AST members, $160 for military students) | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Exam fee (CST) | $340 ($230 for first-time AST members, $160 for military students) | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Retake fee (CSFA) | $310 per retake | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Retake fee (CST) | $300 per retake | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Retake policy | No waiting period; up to 3 attempts per calendar year | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Validity | 2-year certification cycle | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Renewal | By CE ($40 CST / $45 CSFA) or by re-examination ($540 / $550 for AST non-members); $100 late fee | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Delivery | Computer-based at PSI testing centers; web-based testing on campus or on military bases | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Eligibility (CSFA) | Graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited surgical first assistant program | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Eligibility (CST) | Graduate of a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Score release | Within 48 business hours (PSI centers); immediately for post-graduate testers who submitted their own transcripts | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Late registration deadline | Renewal up to 90 days late with a $100 late fee | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Registration deadline | Allow 2–4 weeks for processing; $85 rush fee guarantees 3–5 business days | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
| Testing window | Year-round by appointment; Authorization to Test valid for 6 months | National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting |
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Important: The NBSTSA exam covers multiple domains. Allocate more study time to unfamiliar topics while maintaining review of strong areas.
Study Strategy for the NBSTSA Exam
Build Your Content Foundation First
Before attempting practice tests, ensure you have reviewed the official study materials for the NBSTSA exam. Most certifying bodies publish a candidate handbook or content outline that lists exactly what knowledge is tested. Read this document first — it tells you not only what to study but also what to ignore. Allocate study time in proportion to domain weights: spend more time on high-weight domains and less on domains you already know well.
Practice Testing and Error Analysis
Once you have reviewed the content, move to practice testing. Each practice test session should be treated as a diagnostic: the questions you answer incorrectly are more valuable than the ones you answer correctly. Keep an error log organized by domain. After three to four practice tests, patterns in your errors will become clear. These patterns tell you exactly where to concentrate additional study effort.
Final Preparation Week
In the week before the NBSTSA exam, focus on review rather than new learning. Take one full-length timed practice test to confirm readiness, then spend the remaining days reviewing your error log and reinforcing the concepts behind your most common mistakes. Avoid cramming new material in the final 48 hours — consolidation of existing knowledge is more valuable at that stage than attempting to add new content.
- ✓Download and read the official NBSTSA candidate handbook or content outline
- ✓Identify exam domains and their approximate percentage weights
- ✓Complete a baseline practice test to establish your starting accuracy by domain
- ✓Build an error log: record every missed question by domain and reason for error
- ✓Study the highest-weight NBSTSA domain first to maximize score impact
- ✓Take a second timed practice test after two weeks of study to measure improvement
- ✓Review answer explanations for every incorrect response, not just the correct answer
- ✓Simulate exam conditions: no notes, timed, single sitting per practice session
- ✓Confirm exam registration, location, ID requirements, and permitted materials in advance
- ✓Complete a final full-length practice test in the week before your exam date
Free NBSTSA Practice Tests Online
After completing this PDF, take full online NBSTSA practice tests at NBSTSA practice test — instant scoring with explanations for every answer. Use both formats together: this PDF for offline review and annotation, the online tests for timed simulation with immediate feedback. Together they give you the most complete NBSTSA exam preparation available on a single platform.
Sample NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
During a cesarean section, which uterine incision is most commonly used?
- A. Classical vertical incision
- B. Low transverse (Pfannenstiel) incision
- C. Midline vertical incision
- D. T-shaped incision
Answer: B. Low transverse (Pfannenstiel) incision
The low transverse uterine incision (also called Kerr incision) is preferred because it has less bleeding and heals with a stronger scar.
Epinephrine is added to local anesthetic solutions for surgical procedures primarily to:
- A. Enhance the anesthetic effect of the drug
- B. Cause vasoconstriction and prolong anesthetic duration
- C. Neutralize the pH of the local anesthetic
- D. Reduce the risk of allergic reaction
Answer: B. Cause vasoconstriction and prolong anesthetic duration
Epinephrine causes local vasoconstriction, which slows systemic absorption of the anesthetic, prolongs its duration, and reduces bleeding at the operative site.
Which section of the small intestine is the first?
- A. fistula
- B. duodenum
- C. cerumen
- D. love
Answer: B. duodenum
The small intestine is divided into three distinct sections, and the duodenum is the very first part. It receives partially digested food, known as chyme, from the stomach. The duodenum plays a critical role in digestion by mixing chyme with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.
Which nerve is at greatest risk during a thyroidectomy procedure?
- A. Phrenic nerve
- B. Vagus nerve
- C. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
- D. Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: C. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
The recurrent laryngeal nerve runs close to the thyroid gland and, if damaged, can cause hoarseness or loss of voice.
Take the full NBSTSA - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting practice test
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 — Test delivery, late registration, renewal, score release, eligibility · verified Oct 2026