Between the debut and the restart, young people from Petrolina face the first day of Enem 2026

João Paulo Batista Oliveira, 20 years old, will face more than the questions of Human Sciences and Languages ​​this Sunday (8), the first day of the National High School Examination (Enem) 2026. In search of a place in the law course, he overcame the distance and transport problems to reach the University of Pernambuco (UPE), in Petrolina, in the Sertão of the state.

João Paulo took the exam for the first time in 2024, for the history course. Two years later, he applied for a position in law with the aim of fighting, among other causes, against domestic violence and racism. A resident of the Maria Tereza Project, in Area 19, rural area of ​​Petrolina, he had to leave home at 9am to guarantee his arrival in advance.

The two-year gap between the tests was necessary to take care of mental health. He said he developed anxiety and depression during high school, and needed time to recover and return to work.

“Taking the Enem again this year is a way of saying: 'I'm dreaming again'. I'm trying to live again, because life is long, but it's short”, reflected João Paulo.

In addition to the emotional issues, logistics were an obstacle. João Paulo reported the difficulties of public transport for those who live in the rural area of ​​Petrolina. According to him, the van that leaves at 10 am only goes to Area 25, not covering the route to Area 19, where he lives, which requires a walk of almost 1 kilometer.

"For people who live in rural areas and don't have their own transportation, it's very difficult to go to college. So, this year I'm going to try law and also get a job in the city [urban area] so I can move here," he explained.

Lunara Silva Capellaro, 17 years old, takes the Enem with a focus on the biomedicine course. Still in her second year of high school, she takes the test as a coach, accompanied and supported by her mother.

"It's just training. I hope to get an average grade, but it will be enough to give me confidence for the next Enem", said Lunara.

Lunara only studied at a regular school, without the help of a pre-university course. She admitted her nervousness about the premiere and said she did one last check before leaving home.

In Petrolina, almost 15 thousand students signed up for Enem 2026. This Sunday, candidates answered questions on Human Sciences, Languages ​​and completed the essay.

Across the country, more than 5 million candidates signed up for this year's exam, the highest number in recent years, according to the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep). In 2025, there were 4.8 million confirmed subscribers.