Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Completion of ALH 0022, ALH 0023, ALH 0024, and ALH 0025 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 18 lecture
Description: Preparation and review for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. (letter grade only) (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Successfully pass a sample "Certified Surgical Technologist" credentialing exam.

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

18

Outside of Class Hours

36

Total Student Learning Hours

54

Course Objectives

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of certification and professional development
  2. Apply effective reading and test taking strategies to understand and correctly answer test questions
  3. Develop efficient and organized study habits
  4. Improve comprehension and retention of surgical technologist certification concepts
  5. Apply results of a Practice Certification Exam to identify their study goals.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • Not Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: After completion of a section of the certification exam study guide, Students will be required to discuss and respond to critical thinking exercises. Standard Grading. Example Question: Discuss Common study habits and their pros and cons for standardized exams. Students will research and discuss common study habits and their pros and cons for standardized exams.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor lecture on certification steps and help students develop study habits to pass their certification exam. Students will prepare and take the practice credentialing exam and return to class with results to focus on areas of concern.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor will present the lesson for an interactive discussion on the topic of study techniques and active recall to promote long-term memory and retention for Improve comprehension. Instructor will also create and facilitate Practice Tests so the students will become familiar with the exam format, reduce test-day anxiety, and improve time management skills. Within the discussion of study techniques for the practice tests, the students will explain their own study techniques and share it with their peers for an interactive learning.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          Students will be required to follow an outline of the Surgical Technology certification exam study guide and read and review concept areas of various Surgical Technologist textbooks assigned during the program

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          Each student will review the outlines of past courses and provided exam material from Certified Surgical Technology Exam Practice test to note areas of study to dedicate preparation time and time management skills.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Students will be required to take the Certified Surgical Technology Practice Exam available to them as part of their membership in the Association of Surgical Technologists

          Required Materials

          • Surgical Instrumentation
            • Author: Katrina A. Schroeder
            • Publisher: Cengage
            • Publication Date: 2024
            • Text Edition: 3
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Surgical Technology for the Surgical Technologist Textbook
            • Author: Cengage
            • Publisher: Cengage
            • Publication Date: 2025
            • Text Edition: 6
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Surgical Technology Exam Review
            • Author: Cengage
            • Publisher: Cengage
            • Publication Date: 2021
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.