First Day of ENEM 2025 Concludes for Millions
The first day of the National High School Exam (ENEM) 2025 concluded on November 9, 2025, for the majority of candidates across Brazil. Over 3.5 million participants took the exams, which included subjects in Languages, Human Sciences, and the highly anticipated essay. The application occurred without significant intercurrences, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (Inep), the body responsible for administering the exam.
The exam, a crucial gateway to higher education in Brazil, saw candidates arrive at testing centers with gates opening at 12:00 PM and closing promptly at 1:00 PM (Brasília time). The tests commenced at 1:30 PM and concluded at 7:00 PM, allowing students five hours and thirty minutes to complete the sections.
Exam Structure and Key Topics
The first day of ENEM 2025 comprised 90 objective questions and a mandatory essay. The objective questions were divided into two main areas:
- Linguagens, Códigos e suas Tecnologias: This section covered Portuguese, Literature, and a foreign language (English or Spanish, chosen by the candidate).
- Ciências Humanas e suas Tecnologias: This included History, Geography, Philosophy, and Sociology.
The theme for this year's essay was 'Perspectives on aging in Brazilian society' ('Perspectivas acerca do envelhecimento na sociedade brasileira'), requiring candidates to write a dissertation-argumentative text of up to 30 lines.
Participation and Special Conditions
This edition of ENEM recorded a total of 4,811,338 confirmed registrations nationwide, marking an 11.22% increase compared to 2024 and a 38% rise compared to 2022. Among the confirmed participants, 3,049,710 received exemption from the registration fee, while 1,761,628 paid the full amount.
Notable statistics from this year's exam include:
- 1,390,815 public high school students confirmed their participation through a pre-filled registration process, a new initiative aimed at simplifying access.
- 98,558 candidates utilized the exam for high school certification, a possibility reinstated for this edition for individuals over 18 years old.
- A significant increase of 191% was observed in participants aged 60 or older, with 17,192 individuals in this age group confirming their registration.
Logistical Details and Upcoming Dates
The exams were applied in 1,804 municipalities across Brazil. However, in the Pará municipalities of Belém, Ananindeua, and Marituba, the first day of exams will be held on November 30, with the second day on December 7, 2025. This adjustment was made due to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém during the regular exam period.
Candidates who requested additional time and had their request approved were able to conclude the exam later, with some video-proof participants in Libras having until 9:00 PM. The second day of ENEM 2025 is scheduled for November 16, 2025, where students will face questions on Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
5 Comments
Kyle Broflovski
Pre-filled registrations are a smart move. Simplifies everything for students.
Stan Marsh
While the essay theme on aging is socially relevant and encourages critical thinking, it might be challenging for some students to articulate nuanced arguments within the strict time limits and without prior deep exposure to the topic.
Kyle Broflovski
The increase in registrations, especially among older participants and public school students, indicates improved accessibility. Yet, this high volume also puts significant strain on university admissions and resources.
Stan Marsh
The ENEM is undeniably crucial for standardized evaluation and higher education entry. However, relying so heavily on a single, high-stakes exam might not fully capture the diverse talents and capabilities of all students.
Eric Cartman
This exam is vital for future generations. Excellent work by Inep!