Starting on Monday, April 14, 2025, low-income students and those completing high school in the public school system can apply for an exemption from the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem) registration fee. This exam is a crucial gateway for higher education in Brazil, and the deadline for exemption requests is set for April 26, 2025.
Students interested in obtaining the exemption must submit their requests through the Participant's Page, utilizing their unique Gov.br login. During this application period, students can also provide justifications for any absences from the 2024 edition of the exam, a requirement for those who did not attend both days of testing.
To qualify for the exemption, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in the third year of high school in 2025 at a public school.
- Have completed high school entirely in a public school or as a full scholarship student in a private institution, with a family income equal to or less than one and a half minimum wages.
- Declare a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability due to being from a low-income family, registered in the Cadastro Único for Programs of Social Assistance (CadÚnico) of the Federal Government.
In Rio Grande do Sul, 279,028 individuals registered for the Enem last year, with 70,429 of those being students from public schools. The exam not only assesses students' performance at the end of their basic education but also serves as a criterion for selection processes at public and private universities through the Sistema de Seleção Unificada (Sisu) and the Programa Universidade para Todos (Prouni).
Additionally, the results of the Enem are used for government financial aid programs, such as the Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil (Fies). The Ministry of Education (MEC) and the Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (Inep) have outlined the following schedule for the exemption process:
- Application for exemption/Justification of absence: April 14 to April 25, 2025
- Results of exemption requests/Justifications: May 12, 2025
- Appeal period: May 12 to May 16, 2025
- Final results of appeals: May 22, 2025
In Minas Gerais, the exemption request period is similarly open until April 25, 2025. Students must also apply exclusively through the Participant's Page, using their Gov.br login. Eligible candidates include those in their final year of high school, individuals who have completed all of high school in public institutions or as full scholarship students in private schools, and candidates recognized as economically vulnerable, registered in the CadÚnico.
Students enrolled in the Pé-de-Meia program are also entitled to the exemption. The results of the exemption requests will be announced on May 12, 2025, followed by an appeal period from May 12 to May 16, 2025. The final announcement of the results for appeals is set for May 22, 2025.
It is essential for candidates who received an exemption in the previous Enem edition (2024) and did not attend both exam days to justify their absence to qualify for the exemption for 2025. The Cadastro de Pessoa Física (CPF) is mandatory for both the exemption and exam registration processes.
The MEC has also introduced the Enem MG platform to assist students in preparing for the exam. This platform offers a range of study materials, including video lessons, AI-driven essay corrections, personalized learning paths, and detailed performance reports. This year, access to the platform has been expanded to accommodate students at all levels of high school and those enrolled in the Education of Young People and Adults (EJA) program.
The first Enem MG simulation, designed to mirror the official exam structure, will take place from April 22 to April 24, 2025. Students can access this platform to enhance their preparation.
As the Enem continues to evolve, it remains a fundamental component of Brazil's educational landscape, providing pathways to higher education and essential resources for students from diverse backgrounds. The upcoming deadlines for exemption requests and the exam itself highlight the importance of timely action for students aiming to further their education.
For more detailed information, candidates are encouraged to consult the official documents published by Inep, which outline the necessary steps and requirements for both exemption requests and exam registration.
