Students who participated in the 1st day of the National High School Exam (Enem) 2026, this Sunday (8), in São Carlos (SP), evaluated the test as 'well-structured', with 'accessible questions' and a 'surprising' essay theme, but pointed out the gap in teaching as an 'obstacle'.
In São Carlos, Araraquara (SP) and 13 other cities in the region, 34,289 candidates signed up to take the exam. Around the country, more than 5 million registered.
g1 followed the departure of students after the 1st day of Enem in front of the Centro Universitário Central Paulista (Unicep). Nathan de Andrade, 19 years old, left the place with a positive perception after taking the test.
Debating between law and arts courses, Nathan is taking the test for the second time. The young man assessed the questions as accessible and highlighted the theme of the essay: 'The appreciation of the Unified Health System (SUS) as a universal right'.
'I thought the topic of the essay was calm. It wasn't what I expected, but it was interesting, involving a lot of how it is present in society itself. I just had difficulty with how I was going to start writing about it, but otherwise I found it relatively calm', he added.
This year, the young man said he decided to study alone, he had difficulty at first, but he managed to make studying a routine. 'I studied on my own. At first it was quite boring because, like it or not, studying is boring. But then I got used to it and it's actually good, it's interesting', said the candidate.
Upon leaving the 1st day of the Enem test, Nathan evaluated the exam questions as accessible in São Carlos — Photo: Claudinei Jr/g1
New to Enem, student Rafaela Romualdo, 18, stated that she wants to use her grade to guarantee a place on the biomedicine course. After leaving the test site, the candidate praised the structure of the exam, but pointed out that the gap in regular education was an obstacle.
'The test was very well designed, but I think I was caught off guard because the school didn't prepare us properly. But I always went much further than studying beforehand, so I think I did well,' he said.
The positive highlight of her performance on the first day, according to Rafaela, was the writing. 'Because I've been writing for a long time, I think I was caught less off guard. There were students who ended up not being able to complete the essay because it was difficult for some people, but I think I was very calm', he concluded.
A newcomer to Enem, Rafaela praised the structure of the test, but pointed out the gap in regular education as a challenge — Photo: Claudinei Jr/g1
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'Surprising' essay topic
Taking the Enem for the third time in search of a place in psychology, Angelina Villas Boas, 19, said that she found the essay's topic 'surprising'. 'Because valuation, the Unified Health System (SUS) is a little complicated. These words never fall and generate these challenges, but reading the supporting texts, it wasn't impossible to do.'
She explained that, as she took the test, she became calmer, as it was consistent with what Enem usually asks for in exams.
'I didn't find the questions difficult, the test was very doable. It's a very long [test], the Enem is tiring, but otherwise I found it easy. I'm hopeful,' he said.
After the 1st day of Enem in São Carlos, Angelina said that it was the third time she took the exam — Photo: Claudinei Jr/g1
1st Day of Enem
This Sunday, the first day of Enem, students will have 45 language questions - 40 in Portuguese and 5 in English or Spanish, in addition to 45 questions in human sciences and writing.
On the second Sunday of the test, on the 15th, students will have 45 mathematics questions and another 45 natural sciences questions.
Enem 2025 test notebooks — Photo: reproduction
💡 Tip: As the exam takes five and a half hours, it is recommended that the candidate wear comfortable clothes and shoes that do not constrict them.
Application times (in the Brasília time zone)
Gates open at: 12pm
Gates close at: 1pm
Test starts at: 1:30 pm
Test administration on the 1st day ends at: 7pm
Test administration on the 2nd day ends at: 6:30 pm
The candidate only leaves the application location with the Question Booklet in the last 30 minutes before the end of the test.
⚠️ Mandatory items to take the Enem
Valid identification document, physical or digital; It must be original and with a photo. Some digital versions will be accepted, such as e-Título, Digital National Driving License (CNH) and Digital RG. The applicant must present the official application to the proctor -- screenshots will not be valid. After entering the classroom, cell phone use will continue to be prohibited;
Black ink ballpoint pen, made of transparent material -- it is the only material accepted, both for drafting and for filling out the template; Take more than one unit in case of possible failures.
🪪 Do I need to bring the registration confirmation card? It is not mandatory, but it is recommended by Inep. The document contains information about the test location, chosen language (English or Spanish) and specialized assistance (if any). During the test, the paper must be kept.
Candidates can also take a printed Declaration of Attendance if they need to justify their presence in the exam. The material must also be kept at the time of the test.
✅ What you can take with you on Enem day
Snacks, water and non-alcoholic drinks can be consumed during the test; ideally, they should be in transparent packaging without labels;
Religious items (such as kippah and veil) and accessibility materials (Braille typewriter, sorobã and magnifying glass) are allowed, as long as they can be inspected by inspectors;
Preventive use facial mask.
Other items can even be brought into the test room with the student, but they must be kept under the desk or inside the storage envelope provided by the test takers, duly sealed and identified.
➡️ Electronics must be turned off. If the cell phone or any other electronic device emits sounds even inside the envelope, the participant will be eliminated from Enem.
➡️ Can you take a bag or backpack? Yes, the Enem notice does not prohibit it. However, once inside the application room, the backpack must be placed under the chair and cannot be handled. Everything used during the test, such as documents, pens, water and snacks, must be kept out of the bag.
🥪 What to take to eat? In addition to a bottle of water (in transparent packaging), the ideal is to take food that gives energy, but is light, such as cereal bars, nuts, chocolates, simple cookies or natural sandwiches.
Avoid fatty and very sweet foods. To avoid disturbing your own concentration and that of other candidates, also avoid foods with a strong smell or in noisy packaging.
🚫 What you can't take on Enem day
The following items should be stored in the storage envelope or under your wallet:
Dark glasses and headgear, such as caps, hats, visors, beanies or the like;
Pen made of non-transparent material, pencil, mechanical pencil, erasers, rulers, concealers;
Books, leaflets, manuals, printed materials, notes;
Ear protector;
Watch of any type;
Any electronic devices, such as digital bottle/cup, electronic cigarette, cell phone, smartphone, tablet, wearable tech, calculator, electronic diary and/or similar, Ipod®, recorder, pen drive, mp3 and/or similar;
Alarms, alarm keys or any other electronic component;
Headphones and/or any transmitter, recorder and/or receiver of data, images, videos and messages;
Any other materials extraneous to the test.
🔫 Weapons are not allowed, not even in the envelope. If the candidate presents a permit to carry weapons, he must inform the head of the test administration room. He must take the exam in a separate space, separated from other students.
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