Introduction

Why Fuvest Matters So Much

For Brazilian students aiming for academic excellence, Fuvest (Fundação Universitária para o Vestibular) is more than just an exam—it’s a life-changing challenge. It opens the doors to USP (Universidade de São Paulo), the most respected public university in Latin America and one of the best in the world.

Every year, tens of thousands of students dedicate months—or even years—to preparing for this demanding test. The Fuvest 2025 edition continues this legacy of academic rigor, offering thousands of spots across diverse undergraduate programs—from medicine and engineering to law, arts, and literature.

With changing exam dynamics, inclusion policies, and updated reading lists, understanding Fuvest 2025’s full structure is essential for every candidate who wants to stand out.

1. Registration and Important Dates

Fuvest 2025 registration period runs from August 18 to October 7, 2025, exclusively through the official website fuvest.br.

• 🗓️ Registration window: August 18 (12 PM) – October 7 (12 PM)

• 💰 Registration fee: R$ 211, with exemption and reduction options for eligible candidates (low-income, public school students, or social assistance beneficiaries).

• 🧾 Simulated Test (Simulado) Registration: September 25 – October 7 (Participation fee: R$ 50).

• 📅 Phase 1 Exam Date: Expected in early December 2025.

• 📅 Phase 2 Exam Dates: Early January 2026.

• 📢 Final Results: February 2026.

Candidates must complete the online form, upload required documents, select their career (carreira) and preferred exam location, and confirm payment before the deadline.

2. Courses and Vacancies

Fuvest 2025 offers around 8,100 seats across dozens of undergraduate programs at USP’s multiple campuses. These include:

• Medicine

• Law

• Engineering

• Architecture

• Economics

• Psychology

• Literature, Arts & Humanities

USP is renowned for its academic excellence, with many courses ranked among the top in Latin America.

The competition is intense—some programs like Medicine receive over 100 candidates per spot. Candidates can choose up to four course preferences within the same “career,” allowing flexibility in case of tie-breaks or reclassification.

3. Structure of the Fuvest 2025 Exam

Fuvest is divided into two main phases, plus optional specific skill exams (for arts, music, and similar fields).

Phase 1: General Knowledge (Multiple-Choice)

• 90 questions (each with five alternatives).

• Covers:

  • Portuguese & Literature

  • Mathematics

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • History

  • Geography

  • English

• Duration: 5 hours.

• Location: Selected test centers across São Paulo state.

To advance to Phase 2, candidates must achieve at least 30% correct answers and rank among approximately four times the number of available spots in their course.

Phase 2: Written and Essay Section

The second phase tests analytical, writing, and specialized skills.

Day 1 – Portuguese & Essay (Redação):

• Text interpretation, grammar, and literature questions.

• Essay (Redação): One of the most heavily weighted sections; clarity, coherence, and originality are vital.

Day 2 – Subject-Specific Questions:

• 12 open-ended questions across 2–4 subjects depending on the candidate’s chosen field.

  • Example:

    • Medicine → Biology, Chemistry, Physics

    • Law → History, Geography, Portuguese

Specific Skill Tests (Provas de Habilidades Específicas):
Applied to certain programs such as Visual Arts, Music, or Design. These may involve portfolio submissions, performances, or practical evaluations.

4. Reading List & Content Guidelines

Fuvest requires candidates to study a mandatory reading list—a hallmark of its Portuguese exam. Each year, this list includes 9–10 classic works from Brazilian and Portuguese literature.

Common titles include:

• Dom Casmurro – Machado de Assis

• Vidas Secas – Graciliano Ramos

• Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas – Machado de Assis

• A Moreninha – Joaquim Manuel de Macedo

• Claro Enigma – Carlos Drummond de Andrade

These works are used to assess students’ ability to interpret literary themes, cultural context, and linguistic style.

5. Scoring, Weights, and Elimination Criteria

• Candidates who score zero on the essay or fail to attend one of the Phase 2 days are automatically disqualified.

• Each course applies specific weightings to subjects based on relevance.

  • Example: For Medicine, Biology and Chemistry weigh more; for Law, Portuguese and History matter most.

• Final classification combines both Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores.

6. Recent Changes in Fuvest 2025

Fuvest continues modernizing its process, with several notable updates for 2025:

1. Flexible test site selection: Students can now choose their preferred test city/school, when multiple centers exist in their region.

2. Enhanced accessibility: Inclusion measures for candidates with disabilities or special needs (including lactation rooms, assistive technology, etc.).

3. Digital communications: Notifications, hall tickets (cartão de confirmação), and results are now fully online.

4. Updated reading list: The 2025 edition revises one or two literary works to diversify gender and cultural representation among authors.

5. Environmental paper policy: The printed version of the test uses certified recycled paper to align with sustainability efforts.

7. Competition Levels & Acceptance Rates

Fuvest’s competitiveness is legendary:

• Over 100,000 candidates typically apply each year.

• Around 8,000 are admitted, making the average acceptance rate below 10%, and for Medicine, often below 2%.

That intensity reflects both USP’s academic prestige and Fuvest’s reputation for difficulty and fairness.

8. How to Prepare for Fuvest 2025: Expert Strategy

a. Build a Consistent Study Routine

Create a weekly schedule covering all subjects. Use the official Fuvest “Guia de Provas” to align your preparation with the actual exam structure.

b. Prioritize Portuguese and Writing

Redação is crucial. Practice essays weekly and ask teachers or peers for feedback. Study literary techniques, transitions, and argumentation.

c. Practice Past Exams

Download previous Fuvest tests from fuvest.br. Simulate real conditions—time yourself and analyze your mistakes.

d. Strengthen Weak Areas

If Science subjects or Humanities are your weak points, use targeted review materials. Consider online prep courses or Fuvest-specific tutoring.

e. Review the Reading List Thoroughly

Don’t just read summaries—understand characters, settings, historical context, and symbols. Many essay questions interconnect literature and social themes.

f. Take Mock Tests

Mock exams improve time management and reduce anxiety. They also help estimate your likely cutoff performance.

g. Manage Stress & Health

Fuvest is long and demanding. Good sleep, nutrition, and emotional balance can significantly affect your performance.

9. Inclusion, Exemptions, and Social Programs

Fuvest supports inclusion via:

• Fee exemptions/reductions for economically vulnerable students.

• Special accommodations for candidates with disabilities or medical needs.

• Diversity and social quotas: USP allocates a percentage of its seats to students from public schools or low-income backgrounds under federal law.

These policies aim to democratize access to Brazil’s leading public university while maintaining academic excellence.

10. After the Exam: Results and Reclassification

• Preliminary results for Phase 1 appear around mid-December 2025.

• Final results and first call list (Primeira Chamada) come in February 2026.

• Candidates not admitted immediately may be reclassified in subsequent calls (“reclassificações”), depending on seat availability.

After being accepted, students must confirm online enrollment and later present physical documents at USP’s campus.

11. Common Challenges Students Face

12. FAQs about Fuvest 2025

Q1: What is Fuvest?
Fuvest is the official entrance exam (vestibular) for the University of São Paulo (USP), the top public university in Brazil.

Q2: When can I register for Fuvest 2025?
Between August 18 and October 7, 2025 on fuvest.br.

Q3: How many phases does Fuvest have?
Two: the first phase is multiple-choice, and the second phase is written, including the essay and subject-specific questions.

Q4: What are the main subjects covered?
Portuguese, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, and English.

Q5: Is there a minimum score to pass Phase 1?
Yes—typically around 30% minimum, plus ranking within the top candidates per course.

Q6: How important is the essay (Redação)?
Extremely important. Scoring zero in the essay eliminates a candidate, and high essay marks can dramatically raise your final rank.

Q7: Can I use ENEM instead of Fuvest to enter USP?
Some USP campuses accept ENEM via the SISU system, but the main entry route remains Fuvest.

Conclusion: Fuvest 2025 – A Test of Knowledge and Determination

Fuvest 2025 is not just an exam—it’s a rite of passage for ambitious students across Brazil. It rewards consistency, depth of understanding, and resilience.

While its reputation for difficulty is well-earned, those who prepare intelligently—with structured study, reading comprehension, and strong essay writing—stand a real chance to join the elite academic community at USP.

As the application window opens, the message is clear: discipline, preparation, and passion for learning are the keys to success.

Ready to take the challenge? Visit fuvest.br and begin your journey to USP today!