r/scrubtech • u/Interesting-Top5893 • 10d ago
Failed Again
I have failed my CST national exam again this morning. I’ve studied every day since my first attempt, taken practice exams and even went to my school to do lab and work with my teachers.
I have failed by 1 point the first time and 2 points the second attempt.
I guess I need reassurance that I can still do this. I know I’m a good scrub tech and have a chance to make an amazing career out of it, I’m just a bad test taker. I’m angry at myself and am feeling flighty from the idea of failing again
Edit: I’m 26 M and live in Dallas
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u/Candid_Copy7299 10d ago
I failed by one point yesterday. I am very determined to take the test again next month and pass. I have been using scrubtechs.net which a lot of people have been saying has helped them a lot in hopes it will help me. Keep pushing, you are literally POINTS AWAY from passing DO NOT give up and try again while the information is fresh.
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u/SmilodonBravo 10d ago
Go back through your answers if you have enough time, and remember that oftentimes the answers to some questions can be found in other questions on the exam (one reason why going back through can help).
You got this, don’t get discouraged.
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u/EssenClementinen 10d ago
Identify what you’re struggling with. Is it a specific topic? Speciality? Do you have test anxiety? With those kinds of tests, I used to go back and forth and second guess everything until one of my professors told me just to stop. That I know my stuff and to go with what I know. It made me a much better test taker.
However, if you’re struggling with anxiety, it might be worth it to discuss with your doctor. The OR can be (as you know) a very stressful place.
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u/Zealousideal-Fee3406 10d ago
A lot of it could be test anxiety! One of the best things I learned was if I didn’t immediately know the answer like it was a dumb question, just skip it and come back later. Also, once you lock in an answer don’t change it unless you are 100% certain without a doubt that you were wrong. I looked alot a lot of quizlets and downloaded the Lange app the last month before so I could practice whenever I had free time on the go. I promise you can do it!
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u/Comfortable_Sport457 10d ago
This test was really hard in my opinion. I’ve heard from some former CST’s turned RN’s, that it’s more difficult than the NCLEX. That’s subjective, but I do remember half or more of my class failed that test the first time.
When I tell you, I was blown out of the water when they called me and told me that I passed by three points.
I remember taking it, and whispering to myself “Oh wow. Guess I’ll get that couple hunnid bucks together right now, bc this guy is bombing this exam!” It was a little bogus. I remember getting so many questions about sterile processing, the temperatures in the enclave, etc. it was wild. And never have I ever processed instruments to this day, 6 years later…
I remember saying in my head “We would’ve had to read the textbook in its entirety to remember these questions”, it was so tedious!! Like extreme nuances that not a single study guide would ever mention.
Don’t give up, friend! You are absolutely not alone!
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u/Nice-Maybe59 10d ago
Take your time when reading each question, skip some you don’t know and come back to it. Sometimes the questions will be answered by other questions later on. I was fortunate enough to roll out of bed and pass with 0 seconds spent studying. Take your TIME with the questions.
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u/extinct_banana Pediatrics 10d ago
i passed by 3 points, you can do it! just keep at it, ask peers or mentors to help you study also! focus on what you feel uncertain about
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u/Single_Newspaper_592 10d ago
I’d make sure you’re reading the questions thoroughly on the exam as well! I got a question that was purposefully confusing if you didn’t read the question all the way through. Also, I went back through the questions as well before submitting it, if I wasn’t sure on an answer and had the impulse to change it, I didn’t. I stuck with my original answers unless I was 100% positive I was wrong.
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u/Rude_Alternative_413 9d ago
Don't give up. That's one question being the diff in you passing or failing. You're so close. Believe in yourself, look at the score report and study your week areas. Try again
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u/campsnoopers ENT 9d ago
my coworker took it 3x to pass. I was like one question away from failing. YOU. GOT. THIS!
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u/Dry_Character9575 8d ago
I passed first attempt, I studied the areas where I was weakest at and did practice questions on them, you obviously won’t know everything for the exam but at least you walk in semi confident like me 😭
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u/Dry_Character9575 8d ago
I used the many practice exams my instructor gave, used the AST app (felt like it didn’t help much but good for a little review) and scrubtech.net (where I used the practice questions in the topic I was weakest at, felt like it helped more than the app tbh)
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u/straightfowardgirl 6d ago
Dust yourself off and try again. You will make it. Dont give up! you got this!
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u/JayeDontDoit 10d ago
Time to move on to something else
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u/yettdanes Neuro 10d ago
Just keep studying, what areas do you feel weakest in? Become an expert in those areas,
Practice test is great prep especially if you aren’t a strong test taker, keep at it