CST Basic Science Practice Questions
Basic Science is 30 of the 150 scored questions. It tests the science behind surgery: anatomy and physiology as they relate to procedures, surgical microbiology and wound healing, and the drugs and solutions used in the operating room.
175 questions across every content area in 4 hours, with a score for basic science and your total against the 98-of-150 passing score.
Free basic science drill- 130 original Basic Science questions, each explained
- 20% of the exam, 30 of 150 scored questions
- 3 subject areas in the outline
The medical term for a gallstone is:
The 3 Basic Science subject areas
- III.A. Anatomy and Physiology: 18 of 150 scored questions
- III.B. Microbiology: 6 of 150 scored questions
- III.C. Surgical Pharmacology: 6 of 150 scored questions
Subject areas and item counts as printed in NBSTSA’s CST Examination Content Outline. Every exam form follows these counts.
Basic Science practice by subject area
- Anatomy and Physiology
It tests medical terminology, the structure and function of fourteen body systems as they relate to surgical procedures, and the pathologies that bring patients to surgery.
Free anatomy and physiology drill - Microbiology
It applies microbiology to the operating room: the organisms that cause surgical infections, infection control, how tissue is handled, how wounds heal and how they are classified.
Free microbiology drill - Surgical Pharmacology
It covers anesthesia agents and methods, the drugs and solutions handled on the sterile field, conversions and maximum safe doses.
Free surgical pharmacology drill
Free Basic Science drill (ten questions across its subject areas)
30 Basic Science questions in a full timed mock
175 questions across every content area in 4 hours, with a score for basic science and your total against the 98-of-150 passing score.
Free basic science drillIdeas the questions test most
- Anatomy and Physiology is 18 of the 30; learn anatomy by procedure, such as the nerves at risk in a thyroidectomy.
- Microbiology includes Halsted’s principles, wound healing and the four CDC surgical wound classes.
- Pharmacology includes conversions and maximum-dose arithmetic, so practice the math.
Common questions
How much of the CST exam is Basic Science?
Basic Science is 30 of the 150 scored questions (20%): Anatomy and Physiology 18, Microbiology 6 and Surgical Pharmacology 6.
Is there math on the CST exam?
Yes. Surgical Pharmacology covers weights, measures and conversions and maximum doses of drugs such as lidocaine, bupivacaine, heparin and epinephrine. Our pharmacology questions show the arithmetic in each explanation.
Other CST content areas
Content areas, subject areas, item counts and tasks: NBSTSA: CST certification (format, passing score, content areas) · NBSTSA: CST Examination Content Outline, checked November 2026.
CST® and Certified Surgical Technologist® are registered marks of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by NBSTSA, the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) or PSI. Our questions are original and are not taken from the CST exam.