- CAST is 75 questions in two hours with a 75% passing score - no hands-on component.
- Exam fee is $80; remote proctoring through ExamRoom.AI adds $16.
- The competency document covers 13 base sections and carries 2013/2016 copyright dates.
- One free retake is available within one year of your first attempt (proctoring fees still apply).
Exam Snapshot: The Numbers You Must Know
Before you touch a single practice question, memorize the mechanics of the exam itself. ETA International administers the base Certified Alarm Security Technician credential - this cheat sheet does not cover the additional CAST(C) Commercial competencies, which is a separate add-on. Everything below is scoped strictly to the standard CAST exam.
- Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
- Time limit: two hours
- Passing score: 75%
- Hands-on component: none - it is a proctored written exam only
- Delivery: Trapeza online testing or paper, administered by an ETA Certification Administrator; ExamRoom.AI remote testing is also an option
- Reference materials: none allowed; calculator use follows standard ETA rules
For a deeper walkthrough of exactly what the 75% threshold means in practice - including how many questions you can afford to miss - check CAST Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. And if you're still building your prep timeline from scratch, the CAST Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt pairs well with this cheat sheet as a companion reference.
All 13 Domains at a Glance
The current competency document lists 13 base sections. This cheat sheet condenses each into a one-line "what to remember" summary. For the full explanation of each domain with sample topics, see CAST Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 13 Content Areas.
Domain 1: Technology and Configuration
General system setup logic across alarm and security technology platforms.
- Know how devices are configured before installation, not just how they operate afterward
Domain 2: Alarms
Core alarm system principles - the heart of the CAST name itself.
- Sensor types, zones, and basic alarm logic are fair game
Domain 3: Cameras and Intercoms
Video and communication devices as part of an integrated security system.
- Understand how cameras and intercoms interface with the rest of the system, not just their standalone function
Domain 4: Components
Physical hardware identification and function.
- Be able to name a component and immediately state its role in the system
Domain 5: Cabling and Connectors
Wiring types, connector standards, and termination basics.
- Match cable type to application correctly - this is a common question style
Domain 6: Interfacing
How separate subsystems talk to each other.
- Focus on the logic of connecting alarm, camera, and access components into one working system
Domain 7: Locks
Locking hardware and access control fundamentals.
- Know lock types and how they integrate with electronic access systems
Domain 8: Block Diagrams and Schematics
Reading and interpreting system diagrams without a reference sheet.
- Practice reading schematics cold, since no reference materials are allowed during the exam
Domain 9: Troubleshooting
Diagnostic logic for system faults.
- Expect scenario-style questions that test process of elimination, not just fact recall
Domain 10: Computers and Digital Concepts
Digital fundamentals underlying modern alarm and security systems.
- Basic digital logic and computer concepts as they relate to security hardware
Domain 11: Hand Tools - Soldering
Physical tool use and soldering technique knowledge, tested in writing rather than hands-on.
- Remember: this is knowledge-based testing on tools, not a practical demonstration
Domain 12: Data Communications and Software
How data moves between system components and software.
- Understand communication protocols at a conceptual level
Domain 13: Mathematics
Applied math relevant to alarm and security system calculations.
- Practice mental math and calculator-based problems since no formula sheet is provided
Registration, Fees, and Retake Rules
The financial and logistical mechanics of CAST are simple, but candidates frequently get details wrong. Here's the exact breakdown:
| Item | Cost / Detail |
|---|---|
| Base exam fee | $80 |
| Remote proctoring add-on (ExamRoom.AI, two-hour session) | +$16 |
| Retake within one year of first attempt | Free (one retake); remote-proctoring fees still apply separately |
| Annual maintenance | $25/year |
| Four-year maintenance (paid upfront) | $100 |
Note that the free retake covers the exam itself - if you choose remote proctoring for the retake, that $16 charge is billed on top. For a complete pricing walkthrough including how these numbers stack up over a four-year certification cycle, read CAST Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Key Takeaway
Budget for $80 upfront, plan for a possible $16 remote-proctoring fee, and know that your first retake is free - so a failed first attempt is not a financial disaster, just a scheduling one.
Because CAST is delivered through an ETA Certification Administrator using either Trapeza (online or paper) or ExamRoom.AI remote testing, scheduling flexibility varies by location and provider. For details on how testing windows and scheduling actually work, see CAST Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Stand-Alone CAST vs. Journeyman Status
One of the most misunderstood points about this credential is the difference between holding the stand-alone CAST certification and qualifying for Journeyman status.
- Stand-alone CAST: Does not require CETa. You can earn base CAST on its own.
- Journeyman status: Requires CETa plus at least two years of combined training and experience in addition to CAST.
Certification Term and Maintenance
CAST certification is valid for four years. To keep it active, you have two paths:
- Continuing education route: 10 CE hours annually, totaling 40 hours across the four-year term.
- Employer/supervisor verification route: Verification under ETA policy in lieu of tracked CE hours.
Maintenance costs $25 per year, or you can pay $100 for the full four-year term upfront. Plan this into your long-term budget the same way you planned for the initial $80 exam fee - it's a recurring line item, not a one-time cost.
Last-Week Review Plan by Domain
If you're in the final stretch before test day, don't try to re-study everything evenly. Triage by domain difficulty and question weight instead. This is the one place in this cheat sheet where general study technique applies - and only in service of CAST's specific 13-domain structure.
Math and Diagrams First
- Drill Domain 13 (Mathematics) problems without a calculator, then with one, to match exam-day conditions
- Practice reading Domain 8 (Block Diagrams and Schematics) cold since no reference sheet is allowed
Core Alarm and Component Knowledge
- Rapid-review Domain 2 (Alarms) and Domain 4 (Components) flashcard-style
- Revisit Domain 5 (Cabling and Connectors) for connector-to-application matching
Integration and Scenario Domains
- Work through Domain 6 (Interfacing), Domain 9 (Troubleshooting), and Domain 3 (Cameras and Intercoms) using scenario-based practice questions
- Review Domain 7 (Locks) and Domain 12 (Data Communications and Software) briefly
Light Review Only
- Skim Domain 1 (Technology and Configuration), Domain 10 (Computers and Digital Concepts), and Domain 11 (Hand Tools - Soldering)
- Confirm your testing method (Trapeza vs. ExamRoom.AI) and arrive prepared for the no-reference-material rule
Run a full-length timed practice set on our practice test platform at least once during this final week so the two-hour, 75-question pacing feels familiar before you sit for the real thing.
Who Hires CAST Holders
CAST is aimed at technicians working across alarm systems, video/camera integration, access control, and low-voltage security wiring - the domain list above maps directly onto real job responsibilities in the field. Employers value the credential because it verifies knowledge across the full technician skill set: alarms, cameras, locks, cabling, interfacing, and troubleshooting, all in one certification.
For a closer look at the types of roles and hiring patterns tied to this credential, see CAST Jobs. If you're weighing whether the time and $80 exam fee are worth it relative to career impact, Is the CAST Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and CAST Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis go into more depth than this cheat sheet can.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CAST exam has 75 questions and a two-hour time limit, with a required passing score of 75%. There is no hands-on portion - it's a written exam only.
No. No reference materials or formula sheets are permitted. Calculator use is allowed but must follow standard ETA rules, which matters most for Domain 13 (Mathematics) questions.
You get one free retake within one year of your first exam session. If you choose remote proctoring for the retake, that $16 fee applies separately from the free retake itself.
No. Stand-alone CAST does not require CETa. CETa becomes relevant only if you're pursuing Journeyman status, which also requires at least two years of combined training and experience.
CAST is valid for four years. Renewal requires either 10 CE hours annually (40 total over four years) or employer/supervisor verification under ETA policy, plus a maintenance fee of $25 per year or $100 for the full four-year term.