Enem 2026 Exam Registrations in Brazil Reach Highest Level Since 2020

Registrations for the 2026 National High School Exam (Enem) in Brazil have been recorded as the highest participation rate in the last five years. According to official data published by the Anisio Teixeira National Institute of Educational Studies and Research (Inep), the number of candidates confirming their participation in the exam this year reached 5 million. The announcement of the data this weekend once again revealed the keen interest in the exam within the education community.

The all-time record is still held by 2014; that year, 8.7 million candidates applied for and qualified to take the exam. However, the current figure of 5 million is significant in that it shows the exam is in a recovery process, especially following the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The exam is planned to be held in two sessions, and candidates will complete the first stage of the exam in the first week of November and the second stage in the second week of November.

In the Brazilian education system, Enem serves as the most important gateway for admission to both public and private universities. Additionally, it is positioned as a critical assessment tool providing access to federal scholarship programs and student loan opportunities for students. The exam playing such a central role constitutes a determining factor in shaping the future plans of millions of young people and influences economic mobility.

The most striking innovation regarding this year's exam was the automatic registration application announced and campaigned by the Ministry of Education. Accordingly, all students studying in the final year (3rd grade) of high school in state schools were automatically included in the system, even if they did not apply for the exam themselves. The primary purpose of this application was determined to increase exam participation rates for students completing their basic education and to facilitate their access to academic opportunities.

Another important change was the expansion of the scope of support services to be implemented in the exam. Inep expanded the boundaries of supported conditions provided for candidates to include those diagnosed with fibromyalgia and those with anxiety disorders such as ADHD and OCD or mental illnesses. Within this scope, depending on the candidates' conditions and the documents they submit, rights have arisen to benefit from resources such as having a support person during the exam or an emotional support dog. The support person will wait in a special area under supervision right next to the exam hall and will be involved under the supervision of proctors if the candidate taking the exam needs help.