On the first day of Enem 2025, last Sunday (9th), students and teachers were intrigued, pointing out the change in question format and the impression that this year’s test turned out to be more “content-based” and closer to the format of traditional entrance exams such as Fuvest, which selects USP.
Approximately 3.51 million candidates took part in the exam, which consisted of an essay and 90 questions on languages and humanities. Over the course of two days, there will be another 90 questions in mathematics and natural sciences.
One of the items that attracted the most attention was the language test, in which a chronicle, an adaptation of Ana Elisa Ribeiro’s De Próprio Punho, served as the basis for five questions. The uproar was so great that last Wednesday (12th), the MEC (Ministry of Education) himself spoke out to explain the assessment model, known as ‘testlet’.
The ministry explains, “This is a methodology that uses a group of items related to the same original text, each item maintains its independence, and does not present elements that can be considered as materials for answers to other items.”
According to the ministry, this format will make the exam more contextual and will “optimize exam time” as well as “favor the consolidation of the knowledge assessed.”
On the network, many students commented that the questions required more detailed and in-depth knowledge of specific areas, rather than privileging the interpretation and interdisciplinarity of the text that were the hallmarks of previous editions.
For Professor Bernardo Lima of the educational organization Farias Brito, this change in Enem’s approach was already noticeable in 2024. “The test continues the characteristics presented last year, and we will probably see new trends. We saw an increase in philosophy and sociology questions that require a greater ability to make conceptual connections, as well as elaborate texts that require more advanced vocabulary skills,” he said.
Daley de Matos, Education Coordinator at Colegio Olimpico, credits the interpretation of the questions with consideration during the preparation stage. “If there is no proper interpretation on the part of the students, they won’t even understand what is being asked. From what I have talked to with students, it appears that they actually had problems with vocabulary and prior knowledge to answer the ‘direct and straight’ questions that were asked more frequently this year.”
In fact, he said, Enem’s original proposal was mischaracterized and no longer fit the broader selection model. “Initially, Enem was an entrance exam to assess reading comprehension. Reading comprehension is basic but not sufficient to maintain the high level required in undergraduate courses. In my view, federal universities are starting to require skills from students beyond reading comprehension,” he asserted.
Dryas Moraes, professor of philosophy and sociology at Farias Brito University, believes this year’s test is not just content-based, but rather designed to select prepared future university students.
“Many people thought that the exam was content-oriented, but in reality it was not limited to the idea of interpretation, and required prior study.Textbooks include Zigman Bauman, Herbert Marcuse, David Hume, Aristotle, and Plato. I believe that there was an assessment of knowledge. After all, this is a national exam that selects students for federal universities. This is important because they will become future researchers and professionals,” Moraes said.
The professor emphasizes the benefits that digging deeper into Enem issues brings to all involved. “This is a fact that will have an impact in the classroom. Next year, candidates will already be faced with the reality of this kind of content in academia. We believe this Enem approach will be beneficial for both students and the institutions that host them,” he added.
2nd day test
The second day of Enem is dedicated to the areas of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Applications will follow the same schedule as the first day. Gates to the exam center will open at noon and close at 1 p.m. The exam begins at 1:30 p.m.
Guests must present an official photo document (physical or digital, such as a digital driver’s license or ID) to enter the room on the day.
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