The ENEM exam (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio, or "National High School Exam") is Brazil's national exam at the end of high school, and its score is the main key to many Brazilian universities. This guide explains the ENEM 2026 cycle, the format, scoring and preparation, with extra help on maths. It is written for students, parents and international families, using official Brazilian government sources.
Key takeaways
- ENEM is run by Inep, an institute of Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC).
- ENEM 2026 takes place on two Sundays: 8 November and 15 November 2026.
- There are four tests of 45 multiple-choice questions each, plus one essay in Portuguese.
- Multiple-choice scores use Item Response Theory (TRI), and the essay is marked from 0 to 1,000.
- Scores are used for SiSU, ProUni and FIES in Brazil, and by Portuguese institutions that have an agreement with Inep.
What is the ENEM exam?
Quick answer: The ENEM exam is Brazil's national high school exam, run by Inep for the Ministry of Education. It has four multiple-choice tests (languages, human sciences, natural sciences and maths) and one essay. Students use the score to apply to public universities through SiSU, to win ProUni scholarships and to access FIES student finance.
ENEM began in 1998 to check how well students finish basic education. Since 2009 it has also been a way into higher education, according to Inep's ENEM page.
From 2026, ENEM is also part of Saeb, Brazil's national system for checking the quality of basic education. It can also certify that an adult has completed high school.
If your family is comparing national exams in different countries, ENEM plays a role a bit like China's gaokao or Korea's Suneung. See our gaokao guide and our Suneung 2027 guide for comparisons.
Who runs ENEM?
Inep runs ENEM. Its full name is Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira. It is part of Brazil's Ministry of Education (MEC).
Each year, Inep publishes an official rulebook called the edital ("official notice"). The ENEM 2026 rules are in Edital Inep nº 64, dated 21 May 2026. Trust the edital over other websites.
When is ENEM 2026? Key dates for the 2026 cycle
ENEM 2026 runs on Sunday 8 November 2026 and Sunday 15 November 2026. Day 1 has already happened; Day 2 is still to come.
| ENEM 2026 step | Date (2026 cycle) |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | 25 May 2026 (now closed) |
| Registration fee | R$ 85.00 |
| Day 1: languages, human sciences, essay | Sunday 8 November 2026 |
| Day 2: natural sciences, mathematics | Sunday 15 November 2026 |
| Reapplication requests (eligible cases only) | 16 to 20 November 2026 |
| Answer keys (gabaritos) | By the 10th working day after Day 2 |
| Reapplication exam | 15 and 16 December 2026 |
| Individual results | Not yet announced by Inep |
A few notes on these dates:
- The edital set registration from 25 May to 5 June 2026. In June, MEC and Inep extended the deadlines, as reported by Brazilian news. Registration is now closed.
- The essay theme on 8 November 2026 was "A valorização do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) como direito universal" ("Valuing the Unified Health System (SUS) as a universal right").
- Missing Day 1 does not stop you from sitting Day 2. A reapplication is only for specific cases, such as logistics problems or listed infectious diseases. See Inep's notice.
- Results will appear on the participant page (login with CPF and password). The date is not announced yet; check the official ENEM page.
The ENEM 2026 cycle at a glance.
Registration for ENEM 2026 opened on 25 May 2026. Day 1 was on 8 November 2026, and Day 2 is on 15 November 2026. Answer keys come out within 10 working days after Day 2. The reapplication is on 15 and 16 December 2026, and the results date is still to be announced.
What about ENEM 2027?
ENEM 2027 has not been announced yet. There are no official dates or fees for 2027. Inep will publish a new edital, so check the Inep page.
What is the ENEM format?
ENEM has four objective tests of 45 multiple-choice questions each, which makes 180 questions. There is also one essay (redação) in Portuguese. Everything happens over two days.
| Day | Tests | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Languages, Codes and their Technologies (45) + Essay + Human Sciences (45) | 5 h 30 min |
| Day 2 | Natural Sciences (45) + Mathematics (45) | 5 h |
What is inside each area:
- Languages: Portuguese, literature, a foreign language (English or Spanish), arts, physical education and information technology.
- Human Sciences: history, geography, philosophy and sociology.
- Natural Sciences: chemistry, physics and biology.
- Mathematics: mathematics.
ENEM format by day, area and time (ENEM 2026).
Day 1 has Languages and Human Sciences, 45 questions each, plus the essay. Day 1 lasts 5 hours 30 minutes, from 13:30 to 19:00 Brasília time. Day 2 has Natural Sciences and Mathematics, 45 questions each. Day 2 lasts 5 hours, from 13:30 to 18:30 Brasília time.
Exam-day rules worth knowing:
- Gates open at 12:00 and close at 13:00, Brasília time. Tests start at 13:30.
- You must stay at least two hours.
- No calculator. Calculators, rulers, pencils and watches must stay sealed in the bag you are given. Inep only provides a calculator if a dyscalculia request was approved.
- Use a black ballpoint pen with a transparent body. Drafts are not marked.
- Students with an approved request can get 60 extra minutes each day.
How is ENEM scored? TRI explained simply
The multiple-choice tests are scored with TRI (Teoria de Resposta ao Item, or Item Response Theory). Inep states this in the edital, and it publishes the full method on its portal.
The simple idea: your score is not just "how many you got right." TRI also looks at which questions you got right, how hard each one is, and whether your answers form a consistent pattern.
What this means for you:
- Two students with the same number of correct answers can get different scores.
- Missing easy questions while getting hard ones right looks less consistent. So secure the easy questions first.
How is the ENEM essay scored?
The essay (redação) is scored from 0 to 1,000. It must be a dissertativo-argumentativo text (an argument essay) on a problem set by Inep, with up to 30 lines.
Two markers score each essay on their own. Each gives 0 to 200 points for each of five competencies. If the two totals differ by more than 100 points, or any competency differs by more than 80, a third marker steps in.
| Competency | What it checks (plain English) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Command of formal written Portuguese |
| 2 | Understanding the theme and writing an argument essay |
| 3 | Selecting and organizing facts and arguments for a point of view |
| 4 | Using linking words and structures to build the argument |
| 5 | A proposal to solve the problem that respects human rights |
An essay can get zero if it:
- goes off topic or is not an argument essay;
- is blank, or has 7 handwritten lines or fewer;
- contains a name or signature in the text area;
- is written mostly in a foreign language;
- is illegible, or includes insults, drawings or a deliberately unrelated part.
Inep publishes a guide called "A Redação do Enem 2026 – Cartilha do Participante" on its essay guide page.
Who can take ENEM?
People who have finished high school, or are finishing it, can take ENEM. Others can take it as a treineiro ("practice taker").
- Treineiro: under 18 on the first exam day and finishing high school after the 2026 school year. A treineiro's score is only for self-assessment. It cannot be used for university entry, student finance or a certificate. Treineiro results come out 60 days after the main results.
- Foreign students: registration asks for a CPF number (Brazil's taxpayer ID) and a date of birth. On exam day, foreigners must show an original official photo ID. The edital accepts a passport, a migration ID (CRNM or DPRNM), the Ministry of Justice ID for foreigners (including refugees), or a Mercosur civil ID. If you need a CPF, check the Receita Federal website.
- Where: the edital says ENEM is held in all Brazilian states and the Federal District.
- Language: the essay must be in Portuguese. An essay written mostly in another language scores zero.
- Fee exemption (isenção): the fee is R$ 85.00. Some students do not pay, including final-year public school students and low-income families in CadÚnico. Exemption was a separate, earlier step. It did not replace registration. See the Inep ENEM FAQ.
How are ENEM scores used?
Using your score is optional, and each programme has its own rules.
- SiSU (Sistema de Seleção Unificada, "Unified Selection System"): places at public, free universities. Selection is based only on ENEM results. For SiSU 2027, the MEC edital says ENEM 2024, 2025 and 2026 count, and the system uses whichever edition gives your best weighted average for the course. Student registration dates for SiSU 2027 are not yet announced.
- ProUni (Programa Universidade para Todos, "University for All"): full (100%) or partial (50%) scholarships at private universities for low-income Brazilian students. The gov.br ProUni page lists a minimum average of 450 across the five scores and an essay above zero, plus income limits. Check the current ProUni edital.
- FIES (Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil, "Student Financing Fund"): student loans. ENEM scores are used under the current FIES rules. Check the FIES edital for details.
- Portugal: many Portuguese universities and polytechnics accept ENEM through agreements with Inep. The Inep Enem Portugal list shows 26 institutions, such as the University of Aveiro, the University of Minho and the Catholic University of Portugal. Each one sets its own rules and weights.
- High school certificate: adults aged 18+ who chose this at registration can get a certificate with at least 450 in each area and 500 on the essay.
Main uses of an ENEM score.
SiSU uses ENEM for public universities, and SiSU 2027 counts ENEM 2024 to 2026. ProUni gives private university scholarships and lists an average of 450+ and an essay above zero. FIES uses ENEM under its current rules, and 26 Portuguese institutions are on Inep's list. The certificate needs 18+, 450 per area and 500 on the essay, and treineiro scores cannot be used for any of these.
From ENEM to a university place.
First, you take ENEM on both days. Then you get five scores: four areas plus the essay. Next, you apply through SiSU, ProUni, FIES or a university abroad. Finally, you enrol at the university that offers you a place.
Applying outside Brazil and Portugal? See our SAT vs ACT comparison or how to get into the University of Toronto.
How do you prepare for ENEM, with a maths focus?
Start with past papers, answer keys and the reference matrices (matrizes de referência) on the Inep site.
- Get the timing right. Day 2 has 90 questions in 5 hours. If you split evenly, that is a little over 3 minutes per question. Practise full papers under time.
- Train without a calculator. You cannot bring one. Practise fractions, percentages, ratios and estimation by hand.
- Read carefully. Practise questions set inside a real-life story, chart or table, like the example below. Underline the numbers you need.
- Secure easy questions first. Because of TRI, a missed easy question costs you. Do a first pass for the ones you know.
- Review every mistake. Note why: a concept, a reading slip or time.
- Write practice essays. Plan the five competencies, and always end with a clear, detailed proposal.
Moving between school systems? Our IB Diploma Programme guide and Digital SAT maths guide show how other exams test similar maths skills.
Want a mentor to plan this with you? Book a free demo class, or compare our plans and fees.
Worked maths example in the ENEM style
This is a practice question written by Asymptode in the ENEM style. It is not an official ENEM item.
A family's monthly water bill has a fixed charge of R$ 25.00. This charge covers the first 10 m³ of water. Each extra cubic metre costs R$ 6.50. In March, the bill was R$ 77.00. How much water did the family use in March?
A) 8 m³ B) 10 m³ C) 12 m³ D) 18 m³ E) 20 m³
Step 1. Remove the fixed charge: 77.00 − 25.00 = 52.00. That is the cost of the extra water.
Step 2. Find the extra cubic metres: 52.00 ÷ 6.50 = 8. (Check: 6.50 × 8 = 52.00.)
Step 3. Add the first 10 m³ that the fixed charge covers: 10 + 8 = 18.
Answer: D) 18 m³.
The trap is option A. A student who forgets the first 10 m³ picks 8. The key detail is hidden in the story, so read the whole question before you calculate.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Trusting unofficial dates. The 2026 results date is not announced yet.
- Rushing easy questions. Under TRI, they matter.
- Writing a weak final proposal. Competency 5 needs a real, detailed solution that respects human rights.
- Forgetting your ID. Foreign students need an original official photo ID from the accepted list.
- Expecting to use a treineiro score. It is for practice only.
How Asymptode helps you with the ENEM exam
At Asymptode, a qualified mentor teaches your child one-to-one, live online, using the ENEM structure: the 45-question Mathematics test, the Natural Sciences test (physics, chemistry and biology), and the no-calculator rules. The mentor plans around the real ENEM dates, such as the Day 2 Sunday in November.
Between classes, your child gets practice built for them. Asymptode uses AI to draft a worksheet from what their last attempt showed they had not understood, such as missing a hidden detail in a water-bill question. It is written to the mentor's brief, at your child's level, and sent only after the mentor approves it. It is never a generic sheet.
The mentor marks the work. You, the parent, see what was understood and what to practise next. So preparation keeps correcting itself toward the ENEM Mathematics and Natural Sciences tests. For the essay, the mentor helps with planning, method and practice review.
Book a free demo class or see our plans and fees.
Facts checked against official sources on 11 November 2026.
FAQ
When are the ENEM 2026 results released?
Inep has not announced the date yet. The edital says results will appear on the participant page on a date Inep will announce. Treineiro results come out 60 days after the main results.
How much does ENEM cost?
The ENEM 2026 fee was R$ 85.00, and some students were exempt, such as final-year public school students. The ENEM 2027 fee has not been announced.
Can foreigners take the ENEM exam?
Yes, if they meet the registration rules. Registration asks for a CPF number, and on exam day foreigners must show an accepted original photo ID, such as a passport or a CRNM. The essay must be written in Portuguese.
Can I use a calculator in ENEM?
No. Calculators must stay sealed away during the exam. Inep only provides a calculator to students with an approved dyscalculia request.
How many questions are on ENEM?
There are 180 multiple-choice questions, 45 in each of four areas, plus one essay of up to 30 lines. Day 1 lasts 5 hours 30 minutes, and Day 2 lasts 5 hours.
Can I use ENEM to study in Portugal?
Yes, at institutions on Inep's Enem Portugal list, which shows 26 institutions. Each one sets its own rules and score weights, so check its admissions page.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- Inep: Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem)
- Edital Inep nº 64, de 21 de maio de 2026 (Enem 2026), DOU text
- Inep: Perguntas frequentes – Enem
- Inep: Enem 2026 tem participação recorde de concluintes da rede pública
- Inep: Tema da redação do Enem 2026
- Inep: Quem faltou ao primeiro dia pode fazer a prova no segundo?
- Inep: A Redação do Enem 2026 – Cartilha do Participante
- Inep: Enem Portugal
- Edital SiSU nº 86, de 6 de novembro de 2026 (Sisu 2027), DOU text
- gov.br: Obter bolsa de estudo do ProUni