The CNU (Unified National Convention) will start the document submission period for the qualification examination from this Friday (14th) as stipulated in the 7th amendment of the selection notification. Candidates and invited candidates have until next Wednesday (19th) to submit titles.
Initially, it was scheduled to begin shipping this Thursday (13th), but due to a change, the deadline was shortened by one day. Preliminary results for this stage are expected to be announced on January 8, 2026.
The notification also stipulates that this Friday, a call for procedures to verify the status declared to compete for vacancies reserved for black people, document verification for quilombolas and indigenous peoples, and characterization of disabilities for those who have declared themselves disabled will begin.
The qualification examination evaluates documentation of academic training, such as courses or postgraduate degrees, in the field of activity of the chosen position.
This stage is only a preliminaries and does not exclude participants, but it increases the final score and the chances of gaining a place in the federal civil service. The maximum score a candidate can earn in title evaluation is 2 points at the intermediate level and 5 points at the more advanced level, although the total value of the titles offered may exceed these numbers.
According to Professor Letícia Bastos from Gran Concursos, this stage is present in all upper level blocks (blocks 1 to 7) and is only adopted in a few specialties at intermediate level.
Because of the categorical nature of the certification exam, teachers say it is possible for there to be ties between candidates with very close scores. “In a wide-ranging and competitive contest like CNU, especially in highly competitive careers, any point can change a candidate’s position in the final classification list. Therefore, it should not be ignored, even if it is of lesser importance compared to objective, discursive tests,” he says.
What is important about the title?
He emphasized that title analysis at CNU focuses only on the academic training of candidates. This means that professional experience will not be counted at this stage. Valid titles include specialty, MBA, master’s degree, and doctoral degree.
Among them, the PhD is the most important title and can be awarded up to five points, but Leticia says that in some cases, especially in competitive competitions, this can mean the difference between acceptance and exclusion from the final list.
This is followed by a master’s degree and a lattice specialization, each with proportionally less weight. The expert also says that care should be taken when there are multiple titles in the same category, and only the title with the highest value will be considered. Therefore, for example, a candidate with a PhD will not be able to earn points for a master’s degree or specialization that they hold at the same time.
What strategy should I use at this stage?
According to the Gran Concursos professor, candidates with few degrees or graduate degrees should focus their efforts on two main axes. “First of all, it is essential to maximize performance in the key stages of the competition, namely objective and discursive tests, because mastering these moments reduces the dependence on extra points and strengthens the overall classification,” says the expert.
Then, at the title stage, even if the score is low, teachers say candidates can try to organize their documents strategically and clearly highlight the accepted specialization, lattice course or certification in the notification.
“It is important that the documentation is in perfect order, with a clear record or list of completed courses, amount of work, date of completion, and implementing agency. This correct presentation facilitates assessment and avoids deductions due to formal errors,” adds Letizia.
She emphasizes that even if you don’t have a lot of titles, quality, relevance and presentation can make a difference when the competition is so intense.
How can I view the documentation?
Leticia says it’s essential to read your specific career and block notices carefully to understand which titles will be accepted, scoring criteria, and required documentation (certificates, declarations, transcripts, etc.).
“Candidates should ensure that all documents are legible, updated and duly certified as required. A good practice is to create a checklist based on the notification and go through it item by item before sending,” he says. He also adds that if possible, it’s worth asking someone you trust to review it.
View CNU 2025 Calendar
| event | date |
|---|---|
| Availability of answer card images | After November 12, 2025 |
| Publication of final objective test scores and invitation to descriptive test takers | After November 12, 2025 |
| To take the written test, please obtain a printed registration confirmation card. | January 12, 2025 |
| Application of discourse tests | July 12, 2025 |
| Publication of lecture preparation notes and availability of corrector | January 23, 2026 |
| Submit a request for a review of your performance on a discourse test | January 26 and January 27, 2026 |
| Disclosure of essay test results review request results and final essay test results | February 18, 2026 |
| Disclosure of the results of title grade review requests and the final outcome of procedures for black, indigenous and quilombola candidates and persons with disabilities. | February 18, 2026 |
| After the completion of Phases 1 to 4, a list with classification of immediate vacancies and candidates on the waiting list is expected to be published. | February 20, 2026 |
| Initial phone call to confirm interest of qualified candidates | February 20, 2026 |
| First Interest Confirmation Period for Classified Candidates | 2026/02/21 – 02/23 |
| After the results of the first interest confirmation, a list will be published including the immediate vacancy list and classification of candidates on the waiting list. | February 27, 2026 |
| Second call to confirm interest of qualified candidates | February 27, 2026 |
| Second interest confirmation period for private candidates | From February 28th to February 3rd, 2026 |
| After the results of the second interest check, a list will be published including the immediate vacancy list and classification of candidates on the waiting list. | March 6, 2026 |
| Third call to confirm interest of qualified candidates. | March 6, 2026 |
| 3rd Interest Confirmation Period for Undisclosed Candidates | 2026/03/07 – 2026/03/09 |
| After the results of the third interest check, a list will be published including the classification of candidates on the immediate vacancy list and on the waiting list. | March 16, 2026 |
| Initiating calls for appointments and, where appropriate, defending social and professional investigation procedures, memorial and oral evidence, and initiating calls for courses or training programmes. | March 16, 2026 |