CST Practice Test 2026 — Free CST Exam Prep Questions
The CST exam is the NBSTSA certification exam for entry-level surgical technologists who scrub, set up and maintain the sterile field, and assist throughout the surgical procedure. Our practice questions follow the NBSTSA content outline across perioperative care, ancillary duties and basic science, with scrub-role scenarios, instrument and suture selection, sterilization monitoring, and dose and blood-loss calculations.
A 60-kg patient will receive plain 1% lidocaine (no epinephrine) for local infiltration. The facility reference lists a maximum dose of 4.5 mg/kg for plain lidocaine. What is the maximum volume of 1% lidocaine that can be given?
CST format, scoring & key facts
Facts last verified Oct 5, 2026. Source: www.nbstsa.org/uploads/2024_CST_ECO.pdf. Always confirm details with NBSTSA before your exam.
When can you take the CST?
Plan backwards from your exam date
What the CST covers
Every PrepBanq CST test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Perioperative CarePreoperative preparation (19 items), intraoperative procedures (68 items) and postoperative procedures (10 items): scrubbing, sterile setup, counts, instruments, sutures, hemostasis, specimens and room turnover. | 64.7% | ~97 | 15 questions → |
Ancillary DutiesAdministrative and personnel duties (7 items) such as preference cards, safety hazards and electrical safety, and equipment sterilization and maintenance (16 items) including decontamination and chemical/biological indicators. | 15.3% | ~23 | 4 questions → |
Basic ScienceAnatomy and physiology as they relate to surgical procedures (18 items), surgical microbiology (6 items) and surgical pharmacology (6 items). | 20% | ~30 | 6 questions → |
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CST FAQ
How many questions are on the CST?
The CST has 175 questions (150 of them scored) and you have 4 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice (one best answer); 150 scored plus 25 unscored pretest items.
How long is the CST exam?
Testing time for the CST is 4 hours.
What is on the CST?
The CST covers Perioperative Care (about 64.7%), Ancillary Duties (about 15.3%), Basic Science (about 20%).
Who administers the CST?
The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam is administered by NBSTSA.
Is there a free CST practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 3 free CST practice tests with 25 exam-style questions in the real CST formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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