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In the context of Brazil, what are the key differences between the ENEM and the Vestibular?
Hello! Thanks for your question about the differences between the ENEM and Vestibular exams in a Brazilian context. The short version is that while both are multi-day exams designed to test what high school students have learned, there are key differences in terms of differing access to institutions, geographical location, fees and content. Despite attempts to centralize the Brazilian higher education system, which test one takes still largely appears to depend on which program or institution one is interested in. Many institutions still have their own individual selection process, which now can include only the Vestibular or ENEM exam, or a combination of both. It appears however that by taking the ENEM exam, you have access to more institutions. Below you will find a deep dive of my findings, starting with a methodology to explain how I found this information.
METHODOLOGY
Information included here has been synthesized from a variety of formal reports, academic journals, and documents to help Brazilian students navigate the education system. I start with an overview of each exam, noting the key elements that differentiate it; I then discuss factors that appear to affect the decision-making process of students, as well as the interchangeability of these exams.
VESTIBULAR EXAM: FEES, CONTENT, AND PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
Despite recent changes, the Vestibular exam (organized by FUVEST (Fundacao Universitaria para o Vestibular) remains the “main and common competitive entrance examination used by Brazilian universities for their admission processes”. The exam is not standardized between institutions, but rather each institution organizes its’ own test; however, there is some coordination, for example, Several Brazilian universities follow the FUVEST-University of Sao Paulo's entry exam format. The exam is held between November to January, with some universities holding one exam each semester; students can only take the exam once per year.
The registration fee for the exam depends on the institution and on the subject. However, one source notes that the cost is generally between $70-90 Brazil Real for each exam; this means that students often spend up to $500-R$1000 Brazil Real, as they apply for many different universities to ensure a place in the top competition. In addition, applicants also often pay for ‘cursinho’ (study courses) which can cost between R$60-R$300 or more. Based on your education, household income and residence in Brazil, exemption or reduction in the registration fee for the exam is possible.
The exam is usually three consecutive days, with math, literature, biology, physics, history and Portuguese as the main subjects tests. It is divided into two phases. First are 90 multiple choice questions on subjects such as Portuguese literature and Brazilian literature, history, math, geography, chemistry, foreign language, biology, andhysics. If you pass this phase, you will move onto the second phase, which includes written questions on these subjects.
Brazil has over 2,300 higher education institutions. Prior to 1998, each of these had their own Vestibular test. While many still do, many universities now use this Vestibular exam in parallel with ENEM , either in place of, or in combination with.
ENEM: FEES, CONTENT AND PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
ENEM began in 1998, and underwent huge restructuring in 2009. It is a “non-compulsory, standardized Brazilian national exam, managed and operated by the Ministry of Education’s National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (INEP) [that] tests the level of knowledge of the high school students in Brazil”. Taking place in October, it has been mostly adopted by public/state Brazilean universities as an admission exam for enrolment, and it is “used by individuals wanting to earn points in 'the University for All Programme', or ProUni, a federal scholarship programme (Programa Universidade para Todos)”. It is gaining popularity, as demonstrated by the close to 9 million people that wrote the exam in 2014. As noted above, each institution is free to use ENEM as it wishes, either in conjunction with the Vestibular exam, or as a replacement, and more and more universities in Brazil are choosing to do this. It was originally introduced in an attempt at “unifying the access to higher education courses in Brazil”, and one source documents that ENEM is generally being used in four different ways by Brazilian institutions: 1) As the only way to be accepted by a university; 2) As the first stage of the institution’s Vestibular; 3) Combined with the Vestibular, generating a single grade; and 4) As a way to choose students for remaining spots in a course .
Fees to take the ENEM exam depend on the institution and the program, however, one source estimates that the cost is on average $40 Brazil Real. As with the Vestibular exam, cursinhos are often taken by applicants, sometimes at great expense. However, again, as with the Vestibular exam, exemptions or reductions are possible; in 2016, statistics showed that almost two-thirds of students who registered to take the ENEM were exempt from paying the fee, either because they were from state schools or low-income families.
The ENEM is two consecutive days long, and includes 180 multiple-choice questions and an essay, on the following topics: languages, codes and technologies (Portuguese grammar and reading comprehension), modern foreign language, literature, arts, physical education, information technology and communication; mathematics (math and geometry), natural sciences and technologies (chemistry, physics and biology); and humanities/human science and technologies (geography, history, philosophy, sociology and general knowledge). Thus while the exam is fewer days than the Vestibular, it covers a wider range of topics.
The number of participating institutions is unclear. However, it is clear that by taking ENEM, you have access to more institutions (rather than the Vestibular, which is for one institution). By taking the ENEM test, you can now “participate in one selective process for 115 institutions at once”. Other sources suggest that in 2016, over 1000 private universities and 58 of 63 public universities were using the ENEM system.
DECIDING BETWEEN THE ENEM AND THE VESTIBULAR
The decision to decide which exam to take seems to be a complicated one for many. It appears that the decision depends on which institution (public or private) and which program you wish to apply for, as each institution has different entrance examination rules, and may use one or the other exam, or both. However, by taking the ENEM, it also appears that more access to a larger number of universities is granted.
Other factors besides choice of institution and program that students seem to consider are cost, and geographical barriers. In terms of cost, taking one ENEM exam could be much cheaper than taking several Vestibular exams (although it depends on the institution and program to some degree). ENEM also offers other scholarship options (as well as the possibility for the reduction of fees). For example, if you wish to gain points for federal scholarship programs such as the 'University for All Programme', or ProUni, than you should take the ENEM. Interestingly, while lower income students from state schools are participating in the ENEM, “data from the Educational Census in Brazil reveal that 10 per cent of private students registered but failed to sit the ENEM, compared with 42 per cent of state school students”. This source states that “this self-exclusion from the ENEM is much more connected to the question of school structure, which makes them feel unable to take the test”; this suggests that while cost may still be an issue, there are still some other barriers associated with the test. Finally, one source notes that ENEM can greatly reduce ‘geographical barriers’, since one can take the test nearer to home, rather than having to travel to farther locations.
In terms of interchangeability, it seems that structure of Brazilian higher education is still quite decentralized, given that although taking the ENEM gives you access to more programs under one umbrella, it still does not guarantee you access to all programs. Tools such as this website allow students to search for programs that use ENEM.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, the main differences between the ENEM and Vestibular exams are access to institutions, geographical location, fees and content. Thanks for using Wonder! Please let us know if we can help with anything else!