Inep releases 2026 Enem essay guide and evaluation criteria

The National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep) has released the official participant guide for the 2026 Enem essay exam. The document provides comprehensive instructions to assist candidates in preparing for the writing component, which is held on the first day of the exam in November.

The guide details the five evaluation competencies, each worth up to 200 points, for a maximum total of 1,000 points. Candidates are required to produce a dissertative-argumentative text of up to 30 lines based on a proposed theme and supporting texts. The publication also outlines specific scenarios that could result in a zero score, such as deviating from the theme, failing to follow the required structure, or writing fewer than seven lines.

To support inclusivity, Inep has provided specialized versions of the guide for participants who are deaf, have hearing impairments, dyslexia, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, the guide includes pedagogical commentary on high-scoring essays from the 2025 edition to help students understand practical evaluation criteria and encourages the development of a diverse sociocultural repertoire.