Key Takeaways
- Perioperative Care is the largest domain at 60.7% (91 questions): Preoperative (18), Intraoperative (61), Postoperative (12)
- Ancillary Duties accounts for 17.3% (26 questions): Administrative (9) and Sterilization (17)
- Basic Science accounts for 22% (33 questions): Anatomy (20), Microbiology (6), Pharmacology (7)
- Intraoperative Procedures alone make up 40.7% of scored questions — the most heavily tested area
- All questions are multiple-choice with 4 answer options
- There is no penalty for guessing — answer every question
- Allocate roughly 1.4 minutes per question to stay on pace
- Focus study time proportionally: most time on Intraoperative, then Basic Science, then Ancillary Duties
Last updated: February 2026
CST Exam Content Domains
The CST exam is organized into three major content domains, with Perioperative Care further divided into three sub-areas:
Domain 1: Perioperative Care (60.7% — 91 Questions)
| Sub-Domain | Questions | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperative Preparation | 18 | 12.0% | Patient verification, consent, positioning, draping, room setup |
| Intraoperative Procedures | 61 | 40.7% | Sterile technique, instrument handling, suturing, hemostasis, counts, specimens |
| Postoperative Procedures | 12 | 8.0% | Wound care, dressings, patient transfer, documentation |
Domain 2: Ancillary Duties (17.3% — 26 Questions)
| Sub-Domain | Questions | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative & Personnel | 9 | 6.0% | Scheduling, supply management, regulatory compliance, professional ethics |
| Equipment Sterilization & Maintenance | 17 | 11.3% | Autoclaving, sterilization methods, biological indicators, instrument care |
Domain 3: Basic Science (22% — 33 Questions)
| Sub-Domain | Questions | Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology | 20 | 13.3% | Surgical anatomy, body systems, physiological responses |
| Microbiology | 6 | 4.0% | Pathogens, infection control, SSI prevention |
| Surgical Pharmacology | 7 | 4.7% | Anesthesia types, medications, hemostatic agents |
Recommended Study Time Allocation
Based on the exam weighting, here is a recommended study plan:
| Domain | Exam Weight | Recommended Study Hours (80-hr plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Intraoperative Procedures | 40.7% | 30-35 hours |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 13.3% | 10-12 hours |
| Preoperative Preparation | 12.0% | 8-10 hours |
| Equipment Sterilization | 11.3% | 8-10 hours |
| Postoperative Procedures | 8.0% | 5-6 hours |
| Administrative & Personnel | 6.0% | 4-5 hours |
| Surgical Pharmacology | 4.7% | 3-4 hours |
| Microbiology | 4.0% | 3-4 hours |
Time Management During the Exam
- 175 questions in 240 minutes = approximately 1.37 minutes per question
- Set mental checkpoints: by question 50, you should have used ~69 minutes
- Do not spend more than 2 minutes on any single question — mark it and move on
- Budget 10-15 minutes at the end to review flagged questions
- Remember: there is no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank
Test Your Knowledge
Which sub-domain of the CST exam carries the most weight?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Approximately how much time should you allocate per question on the CST exam?
A
B
C
D
Test Your KnowledgeMulti-Select
Which of the following topics fall under the Basic Science domain of the CST exam? (Select all that apply)
Select all that apply
Anatomy & Physiology
Sterile Technique
Microbiology
Patient Positioning
Surgical Pharmacology