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NBSTSA Surgical Technology Board Review Questions and Practice Tests

Get ready to pass the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists (CST) with BoardVitals. Gain access to more than 1750 practice questions written and peer-reviewed by CSTs and nationally recognized program directors. The Surgical Technologist question bank follows the exam content outline for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) CST Exam. Reviewed and updated for 2024-25, and includes two FREE full-length CST Mock Exams.

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1750+ Questions

Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to NBSTSA Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
Adaptive Learning Technology
100% Pass Guarantee
Ask a Clinician™
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1750+ Questions

Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to NBSTSA Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
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Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to NBSTSA Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
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“I chose BoardVitals because I wanted to know which was the best app to use for preparing myself for my Certified Surgical Technologist Exam, and everyone that I spoke with told me BoardVitals. This app is very on point and help me a lot with passing my CST exam. Highly recommended. You won't be disappointed.”

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Challenging Surgical Technologist Board Review questions with images in similar format/quality to the actual exam
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Detailed explanations and evidence-based rationales with every Surgical Technologist boards question
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AI-powered risk assessment performance data provides insight into your most at-risk subjects to optimize study efficiency
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Create quizzes with adaptive testing technology, which presents questions tailored to your current competency level

Surgical Technologist Board Review Topics Covered:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Pre-Operative Preparation
  • Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance
  • Intra-Operative Procedures
  • Surgical Pharmacology
  • Post-Operative Procedures
  • Administrative and Personnel

“Very user friendly, explanation for each answers with references and replies back to any of your questions you may have regarding a particular questions. I've been using only BoardVitals for my CST exam. The BEST exam prep!”

Joshua R.

Surgical Technologist Editor

Karen L Chambers, CST, FAST, MHA/Ed

Karen is the Program Director for the AAS in Surgical Technology for Eastwick College in Ramsey, NJ. She has published numerous scholarly articles, authored an educational textbook, and in June 2016 she was awarded the highest recognition given by the Association of Surgical Technologist, the FAST (Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technology) credential.

About the CST Examination

As stated by the NBSTSA, "the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists covers the knowledge and skills common to competent entry-level Surgical Technologists in varied settings and geographical locations."

What is covered on the CST Exam?

According to the CST Examination Content Outline, the following topics are covered:

I. Peri-Operative Care (97 items)

  1. Preoperative Preparation (19 items)
  2. Intraoperative Procedures (68 items)
  3. Postoperative Procedures (10 items)

II. Ancillary Duties (23 items)

  1. Administrative and Personnel (7 items)
  2. Equipment Sterilization and Maintenance (16 items)

III. Basic Science (30 items)

  1. Anatomy and Physiology (18 items)
  2. Microbiology (6 items)
  3. Surgical Pharmacology (6 items)

How long is the CST Exam?

The CST exam is comprised of 175 questions, 150 of which are scored. The 25 pretest items (unscored) are randomly distributed throughout the examination for the purpose of analysis and statistical evaluation.

Surgical Technology Careers

Surgical technology is a great career that’s growing fast – over 5% in the next ten years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median pay for Surgical Technologists is $60,370 annually.

The role of a surgical technologist involves minimal paperwork, with a considerable portion of your time being spent in the operating room. After successfully completing the examination, a wealth of opportunities become available. While a technical certification is a prerequisite for many of these positions, it is not mandatory for all.

CST Exam Tips

Intra-operative procedures are an important part of the exam, and you will find that the BoardVitals question bank focuses heavily on this subject area.

Suggested Reading

We suggest using Mosby’s PDQ for Surgical Technology. This is a go-to book for tables, images, and your general reference type materials. We suggest using it alongside our Surgical Technology question bank when practicing, and then also being able to complete our exam (in test mode conditions) without the reference guide. Another good book is Differentiating Surgical Instruments, if you need specific review and you are a visual learner.

The NBSTSA exam is computer-based, and our format follows very closely. You can change your answers, skip questions, and mark questions for review (in both our platform as well as actual exam conditions).

Learn more about the Surgical Technologist Board Exam on the blog


Are you looking for new ways to study for the Surgical Technology Board Exam? Visit the Surgery category of our blog. Not only will you find helpful Surgical Technology Board Exam advice, but you can test your knowledge with practice questions as you prepare for the test.