Enem 2028: New Reference Frameworks and Essay in Debate
Inep discusses new text formats and competencies aligned with BNCC
The debate over the Enem reform gained prominence after Inep's meeting with educators in Brasília, where proposals for changes in the reference frameworks and the essay model were presented, expected to take effect starting in 2028.
New Reference Frameworks and Alignment with BNCC
The National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep) intends to adapt the exam to the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and the National High School Policy. The proposal includes standardizing the four knowledge areas into four competencies each, described by command verbs such as identify, analyze, and evaluate. This structure aims to make the intellectual operation required of students more explicit.
Fragmented Essay: More Genres and Text Lengths
Instead of focusing written production on a single argumentative-essay text of up to 30 lines, Inep discusses distributing different writing tasks throughout the exam. The possibilities presented include texts of 20, 10, and 5 lines, with varied genres – complaint letters, opinion articles, editorials, manifestos, public speeches, and critical reviews – which may appear in Languages, Human Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics.
Objective to Expand Assessed Skills
The change aims for candidates to adapt their argumentation to the genre, interlocutor, and purpose of each text, expanding the scope of assessed skills. Educators state that the new organization can provide greater clarity to teachers and students about what to study.
Testlets and Reduction of Cognitive Fatigue
Another strategy discussed is the expanded use of testlets – blocks of questions that share the same base text. This methodology, already tested in previous assessments, allows candidates not to have to read multiple fragments, reducing fatigue throughout the exam.
Inclusion of African and Indigenous Knowledge
In the areas of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Inep considers including transversal competencies related to African and Indigenous matrices. Students could analyze mathematical and scientific knowledge from these cultures, reflecting the legal obligation to address these contents in basic education.
Timeline and Next Steps
Inep states that there is no final definition yet on the new format and that the proposal will be consolidated by the end of the year. Gradual implementation is planned until 2032, with the goal that Enem 2028 will assess high school in full alignment with the BNCC and national policy.
With information from O GLOBO, Federal Government, Guia do Estudante.
Source: O GLOBO, Governo Federal, Guia do Estudante