Comparison

Surgical Technologist Mastery vs First Case

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Surgical Technologist Mastery

Prepare for your CST exam with over 1,800 practice questions and detailed explanations. This app features adaptive learning, expert support, and in-depth performance analysis to help you study smarter and pass your certification.

Highlights
  • 1,800+ exam-like practice questions
  • Detailed explanations and images
  • Adaptive learning engine
  • How-to videos on techniques
  • Community discussions with experts
  • In-depth performance analysis
  • Offline study capability
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Pass your CST® exam with the Surgical Technologist Exam Prep Mastery—the #1 CST prep. Features 1,800+ exam-like questions, detailed explanations, adaptive learning, in-depth metrics and more! Start free today and get 10 practice questions every single day. No credit card required. 1,800+ Exam Like Questions & Study Tools • 1,800+ CST-style practice questions with detailed explanations and images • 30+ high-yield review chapters with comprehension check-ins • How-to videos covering suturing techniques, instrument use, and more • Study content aligned with the NBSTSA CST exam blueprint Adaptive Learning Engine • AI-driven algorithm adjusts question difficulty based on your answers • Personalized learning to help you study smarter • Focuses on your weak areas to help you study more efficiently • Keeps you challenged without feeling overwhelmed Discussion & Expert Support • Access community discussions after every question • Ask questions and get answers from experts • Learn from shared insights and real experiences • Never feel stuck, support is just a tap away In-Depth Performance Analysis • Instant feedback and detailed progress reports • Identify strengths and focus on weak areas • Track your readiness with clear insights Built for Surgical Technologist Students • Designed by experts who understand the CST exam inside and out • Custom quizzes to zero in on your problem areas • Study anytime, anywhere—even offline • Perfect for students, grads, or working techs needing a refresher Our Unmatched 300% Money-Back Guarantee • Pass your exam or get triple your money back — seriously! • We’re confident in our product and dedicated to your success • Study worry-free with zero financial risk • Our Customer Success Team supports you every step of the way AST® is a registered trademark of the Association of Surgical Technologists. CST® is a registered trademark of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. This app and its content are not endorsed, sponsored by, or affiliated with the Association of Surgical Technologists or the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Get access to all questions when you subscribe: • 1 Month auto-renewing payment of $23.99 • 6 Month auto-renewing payment of $99.99 • 12 Month auto-renewing payment of $149.99 This app offers three auto-renewing subscription options to help you pass your exam. Auto-renew may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Upon confirming your purchase, you'll be billed immediately. Your subscription will automatically renew unless you turn off the auto-renewal feature at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. After purchase, you can manage your subscription and deactivate auto-renewal through your Account Settings. Note that any unused portion of a free trial, if offered, will be forfeited when you buy a subscription. Privacy Policy - http://builtbyhlt.com/privacy Terms of Conditions - https://hltmastery.com/eula About Higher Learning Technologies (HLT Mastery): We’re a U.S.-based leader in educational technology, dedicated to helping students pass their exams with confidence and ease. Join millions who’ve trusted Mastery apps to launch their careers. Check out our entire Mastery app suite for continued success. Customer Support: Your CST exam success matters to us. Talk to a real person at support@hltcorp.com or (319) 246-5271.

About

First Case

Access surgical operating room discussions and interviews on the go. Stream the latest episodes, save favorites, and enjoy features like car mode for enhanced playback. Stay connected to the surgical community and innovative solutions.

Highlights
  • Streaming access to episodes
  • Save favorite episodes
  • Car mode for larger playback controls
  • Playback resume functionality
  • Contact methods for the show
  • Playback controls (speed, repeat, timer)
Features
Read full description

Clock in, scrub up, and join us behind the red line. We are First Case – an operating room podcast bringing you exciting interviews, engaging discussions, and innovative solutions that are changing the way patients receive surgical care. Each episode we talk to frontline staff, perioperative leadership, and nursing entrepreneurs from across the country as they share their stories, experience and expertise on an industry we love. From the back table to the board room, from wheels in to wheels out. -- we tackle the real-life issues affecting the OR. Whether you’re tuning in for surgical service education or inspiration, we’re glad you're here. And now, it’s time to roll back, and start the First Case… With this app you are always connected to the latest episodes and the show. Quickly star episodes and save them to a list so you can easily enjoy them over and over! This app has a Car mode too! Rotate your phone to display larger playback controls. It is the best and most convenient way to access the First Case podcast. If you're a fan of the show you won't want to be without it! This app contains the following features: * Car mode, rotate your phone to display larger playback controls * Streaming access to play episodes from anywhere * Always updated with the latest episodes- and an archived back catalog * Playback resume (when interrupted by a call or other distraction) * Quick access to all the contact methods for the show like call, email, web, Facebook, and Twitter * Playback controls like continuous play, Speed 1x, Repeat Off, and Sleep Timer Thank you for purchasing this app and supporting the show!

Screenshots

Surgical Technologist Mastery4 screens
First Case4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: First Case at none against Surgical Technologist Mastery's 7. First Case also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 78%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). Surgical Technologist Mastery's advantage is ratings volume (3.2K vs 27) and chart position (#200 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Surgical Technologist Mastery sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. First Case asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Surgical Technologist Mastery against 4.9 for First Case. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surgical Technologist Mastery has 3.2K ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Surgical Technologist Mastery's written reviews are positive against 100% of First Case's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Surgical Technologist Mastery versus First Case: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurgical Technologist MasteryFirst Case
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.2K ratings)4.9 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.2K — better27
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank#200 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB24 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHigher Learning TechnologiesJustin Poulin

Customer experience

Surgical Technologist Mastery

All ratings3,156 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral2.0%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.0%

First Case

All ratings27 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Surgical Technologist Mastery

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Subscription cancellation issues
  • Compatibility problems on certain devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Quick review feature like the book
  • Improved customer support responsiveness

First Case

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Surgical Technologist Mastery

Subscriptions6
  • Surgical Tech Exam - 1 Month$17.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$23.991 Month
  • Surgical Tech Exam - 6 Months$74.996 Months
Show 3 more
  • 6 month subscription3 Days trial$99.996 Months
  • Surgical Tech Exam - 12 Months$111.991 Year
  • Surgical Technologist - Yearly3 Days trial$149.991 Year
One-time1
  • Expansion Pack$64.99
None

First Case

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Surgical Technologist Mastery free?
Surgical Technologist Mastery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is First Case free?
First Case is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Surgical Technologist Mastery or First Case?
First Case is rated higher. Surgical Technologist Mastery averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while First Case averages 4.9 from 27 ratings.
Do Surgical Technologist Mastery or First Case have ads?
Neither Surgical Technologist Mastery nor First Case shows ads.

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