Several students who took, this Sunday (10), the second day of the National High School Exam (Enem), left the test site as soon as the inspectors warned that two hours had already passed, at 3:30 pm, the minimum time for candidates left the place without taking the question book. There were 90 questions on mathematics and natural sciences (chemistry, physics and biology). The test ends at 6:30 pm. 
The first candidates who left Enem at Faculdade Uninassau, in Flamengo, in the south of Rio de Janeiro, found the natural sciences (chemistry, physics and biology) and mathematics questions difficult.
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 11/10/2024 – Student Vinicius Augusto is one of the first to leave the Enem test site. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
“Natural sciences, I expected it to be something more complicated because it’s not the area that I have the most depth in. But I was fine doing it. Mathematics was more difficult. I want to study humanities, so last week was easier than today. Today’s one, as I didn’t know much about the subject, I ended up doing it anyway”, said Vinicius Augusto, 17, who, with his Flamengo jacket, admitted that the final of the Copa do Brasil between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, which was disputed during the test, it ended up being a bit difficult to leave early.
Mery Cristina Rosa, 24 years old, is in her third Enem. She wants to study psychology.
“I found the test difficult today, even though I studied. I did better last week, when I was one of the last to hand in the test in my classroom. But I’m hopeful. I’m better prepared.”
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 11/10/2024 – Mery Cristina Rosa wants to study psychology. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
In Brasilia, the Brazil Agency he spoke to some of the students who finished the test at a university in Asa Norte, a central neighborhood of the federal capital. Explanations for the speed varied.
There were those who said that, as they had not yet finished high school and were taking the test just to learn about the test, they were not committed to answering all the questions. And also those who admitted that, because they didn’t know the answers, they “guessed”.
The first person to leave the place and talk to the reporter was Pedro Henrique Lima Cardoso, 27 years old. A Portuguese language teacher, he said that for four years he has been putting himself to the test just to feel, to some degree, what the students experience.
“They required knowledge of areas of knowledge that I did not master. This demonstrates that it is not true that Enem is a purely interpretative test. It is not. It is a demanding test that requires a series of skills and abilities. And it’s also an endurance test”, he added, saying he found this year’s test “a little more complex” than previous ones.
“And I think the second day [hoje] It is always more tense for most candidates, as it involves exact questions. Most students have more difficulty in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry”, he highlighted.
Public school student, Kris Rian, 18, thought the test would be more difficult.
“Some of the questions I found easy. Physics and mathematics are more difficult, they are a little more difficult. In the first test, I think I was better. Now it’s time to wait [pelos resultados]”, said the young man, who left the room eager to get home in time to watch the match between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, in the final of the Copa do Brasil. “Now it’s time to watch the game. I was there, taking the test, and then Flamengo came to mind. And I thought: “No! Focus on the test. Stay tuned!” joked Rian.
Therapist Rebeca Lacerda, 25 years old, assessed that the test is more difficult compared to the selection processes of years ago. “I came without pressure. If I get a good grade, I’ll try to get a good discount at a private university, but since I already have my profession; the privilege of being able to pay for a private college and I am determined to study pedagogy because I really like studying and that will be a plus for my work. I came more to test myself, see how my knowledge is and what the test is like nowadays. And I saw that it is very different from when I finished primary school, more complex”, he stated.
