How to prepare for the ENEM essay, according to an expert.
The essay portion carries significant weight in the exam and often causes apprehension among students.
247 - The first day of the Enem (National High School Exam) 2025 will be held this Sunday (9), and the essay remains one of the biggest challenges for candidates. The test requires not only mastery of writing, but also argumentation skills and sociocultural repertoire. The information is from CNN Brazil.
According to literature expert Pedro Pacífico, the essay portion of the exam carries decisive weight and often generates apprehension among students. He explains that the ENEM exam doesn't seek memorized texts, but rather productions that reveal critical thinking and originality.
"The ENEM exam doesn't want rote memorization; it wants to know how the student thinks," says Pacífico.
Knowledge and reflection are fundamental.
One of the main criteria for grading the essay is the sociocultural repertoire, that is, the set of references that the candidate acquires through books, films, series, documentaries, and podcasts. These elements help to support the arguments and demonstrate mastery of the proposed topic.
Pacífico warns, however, against excessive and superficial consumption of content.
"This deluge gives a false sense of knowledge," says the expert.
He recommends that candidates prioritize the quality of their study, selecting only a few materials and dedicating time to reflection and developing their ideas.
"It's more worthwhile to read two or three books and watch a few well-chosen films than to try to consume everything at once," he advises.
The role of reading in performance
Unlike other college entrance exams, the ENEM (Brazilian National High School Exam) does not have an official list of required readings, but classic works of Brazilian literature frequently appear in the language and humanities sections. Therefore, the habit of reading can help not only with the essay but also in other areas of the exam.
With the exam approaching, teachers emphasize that the best strategy is to remain calm and review the material in a focused manner, ensuring clarity, coherence, and proper text structure.
The 2025 ENEM exam will be administered on two consecutive Sundays — November 9th and 16th — with tests in languages, humanities, essay writing, natural sciences, and mathematics.