Entrance Exam Day: 5 tips to prepare for Enem and entrance exams

Celebrated annually on May 24, Entrance Exam Day honors students who dedicate themselves to preparing to gain a place in higher education.

Between intense hours of study, revisions and simulations, thousands of candidates face the challenges of preparing for the Enem (National High School Exam) and the main entrance exams in the country every day.

In Brazil, the entrance exam is the main selection process used by public and private universities. Enem has established itself as the main gateway to higher education, allowing access to programs such as Sisu, Prouni and Fies, as well as institutions across the country and even abroad.

Given the high competition and pressure that surrounds this period, experts highlight the importance of maintaining a balanced routine of studies, organization and mental health care during preparation. Check it out:

1. Create a study plan
For the supervising professor at Anglo Alante São José dos Campos, Clayton Santos, putting together an efficient schedule requires considering all of the student's routine commitments. "Bedtime, class time, whether school or course, personal activities that are important to the student, such as hobbies. Once all of this is separated, several gaps will be noticeable. In these gaps, the student begins to distribute their goals", he explains.

The pre-university course coordinator at Fibonacci Sistema de Ensino, Rinaldo Quaresma, highlights that simple practices, when applied consistently, make a significant difference in performance. "One of the most effective strategies for retention is repetition, that is, reviewing the content paying attention to volume and intensity", he states.

2. Use technology as an ally in studies
According to the educational business manager at CASIO Educação, Jalman Lima, educational technology can be an important ally in the study and learning process, especially in exact subjects. "Tools such as scientific calculators and digital resources help students explore strategies, visualize patterns and direct more attention to analyzing and interpreting problems, instead of just repeating mechanical calculations", he highlights.

In addition, digital platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools already help students in organizing study plans and adapting content according to different learning rhythms. However, the pedagogical manager of the peer platform, Talita Fagundes, states that the use of technology requires balance, criticality and adequate guidance so that the tool amplifies and does not replace reasoning.

3. Prepare adequately for the essay
The Enem essay test is the most complex exercise of the exam, requiring reading of several texts, articulation of meanings, taking a position, argumentation, essay structure, repertoire, intervention proposal, cultured standard, cohesion and coherence in a reduced production time. Therefore, to prepare, Sérgio Paganim, professor and coordinator of Writing at the Anglo Course, indicates that the first important issue is to define a time strategy, defining when the writing will be done and how much time will be spent on each stage of its production (reading supporting texts, text project, draft writing and final version).

Another relevant guideline is training in reading the collection, with controlled time, to gain agility and efficiency. The third aspect, according to him, is knowing the skills that Enem uses for assessment, understanding what is expected in each of the five. "The fourth question is to study A-grade essays, analyzing, above all, the introduction, development paragraphs, intervention proposal, repertoires and connectors. The fifth recommendation is to write weekly, review the text, seek evaluation from an experienced reader and develop your writing with practice", he adds.

A coherent and well-articulated text requires more than mastery of the standard: it demands critical reasoning, conceptual depth and the ability to express oneself in different contexts.

Therefore, it is essential that students continually expand their repertoire, gathering references and knowledge. "Building a quality repertoire is essential to writing a competitive essay, capable of mobilizing diverse knowledge and supporting the argument presented", comments Laura Vecchioli do Prado, coordinator of Literature and Information at the Basic Education Editorial at SOMOS Educação. In this process, reading stands out as an essential ally to meet the requirements of entrance exams and strengthen writing.

4. Learn to deal with psychological pressure
Preparing for the entrance exam also requires attention to the emotional health of students. According to the History teacher and pedagogical leader of Plataforma Amplia, Francisco Moreira Júnior, anxiety during this period is often born from uncertainty. "The more the student masters the act of studying and sees their evolution through data and metrics, the safer they feel. It is essential to view the entrance exam as a technical challenge, and not as a measure of personal value", reinforces the educator.

For Arthur Bertagia de Souza, pedagogical coordinator of bilingual high school at FourC Bilingual Academy, taking care of your body is essential to ward off stress. For him, physical activities, good nutrition, hydration and quality sleep are essential points for controlling nervousness and ability to concentrate, as well as meditation practices and breathing exercises to control anxiety. "This helps reduce nervousness and bring attention back to the present moment, reducing excess thoughts and feelings of anxiety. When the body is more balanced, the candidate can better deal with the pressure and emotional stress of longer tests", he explains.

According to Carolina Sperandio, director of the Granja Vianna Unit at Colégio Rio Branco, the role of the family is considered one of the main factors of emotional support for students facing the entrance exam marathon. The presence of parents and guardians, when balanced, can be decisive in providing security and motivation, without increasing pressure on young people.

5. Find out how to apply for entrance exams abroad
The interest of Brazilian students in international universities has also grown in recent years, increasing the demand for specialized guidance in schools. According to Aline Chmatalik, coordinator of the International Studies Department at Escola Móbile, individualized support makes a difference at all stages of the process. "We start by understanding the profile and objectives of each student. From this, it is possible to support the choice of universities, interviews, essays, scholarships, portfolios and the organization of all documentation, transforming an aspiration into a concrete and well-planned path."

Among the fronts considered essential in this process are access to internationally recognized curricula, preparation for exams such as the SAT, guidance from specialized professionals, direct contact with universities, participation in fairs and encouragement of academic experiences abroad, such as summer programs. "When there is close and personalized guidance, students not only prepare better for the admissions processes, but also mature in their academic and personal choices", he concludes.

Entrance exam 2026: see tips for putting together a study plan

Source: CNN