MSU-SASE at a Glance: What It Is, Who Takes It, What's Known
MSU-SASE at a Glance
The Mindanao State University System Admission and Scholarship Examination (MSU-SASE) is the entrance exam for the MSU System — campuses including MSU Main (Marawi), MSU-IIT (Iligan), MSU General Santos, MSU Naawan, MSU Buug and MSU Tawi-Tawi. It's held once a year and doubles as the screening for MSU's academic scholarships.
Quick facts
| Who can take it | Grade 12 students and senior high graduates with no college background |
| How often | Once a year (since 1989) |
| Last sitting | 5 October 2025 (results 30 April 2026) |
| Next sitting | Not yet announced — MSU sets the date each year |
| Takers | 61,183 for AY 2026–27, a record |
| Testing fee | ₱300, non-refundable, paid at the test centre |
| Result valid for | One year (two consecutive semesters) |
| Where to apply | sase.msumain.edu.ph or your campus admissions office |
How you get in
MSU sets each campus's admission cut-off from the median SASE score and the campus's absorptive capacity. So there's no single passing score, and cut-offs differ by campus and programme. Scholarships go to examinees who also meet the scholarship requirements — passing alone doesn't guarantee one.
What MSU doesn't publish
- An official list of subtests, the number of items or the duration
- Acceptance rates
- Programme or campus cutoff scores
Tables you may see online with "acceptance rates" or "target scores" per programme aren't from MSU. Past takers describe questions in English, mathematics, science and reasoning, so prepare all four — the pillar guide has a plan.
Tuition
MSU has implemented RA 10931, the free college tuition law, since AY 2018–19. For other costs and funding, see MSU-SASE scholarship options.
Where Super Tutor fits
Super Tutor's MSU-SASE reviewer covers the college-entrance chapters — mathematics, science, language proficiency, abstract reasoning and general information — in 11 study formats, with practice quizzes at three difficulty levels, an AI tutor and a study planner. It doesn't have full MSU-SASE mock exams. Start free — 5-day trial, no card needed.
What to read next
The MSU-SASE pillar guide covers requirements, scholarships and a prep plan. Applying to Iligan? See the MSU-IIT pathway.
Start your MSU-SASE review free
Super Tutor's MSU-SASE reviewer has every chapter in 11 study formats, practice quizzes at three difficulty levels, an AI tutor for the questions you get stuck on, and a study planner. Start with a 5-day free trial, no card needed.
Related reading
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MSU-SASE Guide: How It Works, Dates, Scholarships and Prep
The MSU-SASE is the once-a-year admission and scholarship exam for the Mindanao State University System. Here's how it works, what's known about the next one, and how to prepare.
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MSU-SASE Math Review: Topics and a Four-Week Plan
Math matters for every MSU-SASE taker, and most for engineering and science applicants. Here are the topics to review and a four-week plan.
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MSU-SASE English Review: Grammar, Vocabulary and Usage
English runs through every college entrance test, including the MSU-SASE. Here's what to practise — grammar, vocabulary and sentence improvement — in three weeks.