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The competition is intense. Each candidate can choose up to two courses, being able to change their options as many times as necessary during the registration period. Furthermore, the dynamics of the cut-off scores, which are updated daily, require constant monitoring. For candidates who want to secure a position, knowing the selection criteria and adopting specific tactics is crucial.
Sisu is open to all Enem participants who obtained a grade greater than zero in the essay. Although the registration process is simple, strategically choosing courses and monitoring cut-off scores can be decisive in ensuring approval.
How Sisu works and who can participate
Sisu, launched by the Ministry of Education in 2010, is a program that connects students to public universities using exclusively Enem performance. It replaces individual selection processes in many institutions, centralizing the selection of candidates and democratizing access to higher education. In 2025, the program covers all regions of the country, except Rondônia, with opportunities in the most varied areas of study.
Candidates must access the Single Access portal to register and monitor their positions. The system offers daily updates on the cutoff scores and placement of applicants, allowing strategic adjustments to choices. This flexibility is one of the characteristics that differentiates Sisu from other selection processes.
Cutting notes and selection dynamics
Cut-off scores, one of Sisu’s main indicators, represent the minimum score required to enter a course. They vary daily, reflecting the scores of the candidates who are best positioned at that moment. These updates make constant monitoring essential for anyone who wants to secure a place.
For example, if a course offers 20 places and the minimum grade on the first day is 750, but other candidates with higher grades apply, the cutoff grade may increase to 800 or more in the following days. On the other hand, if well-placed candidates withdraw or change their options, the cut-off score may decrease.
This daily fluctuation is comparable to a financial market, where the “stocks” are the available vacancies, and the “investors” are the candidates, who adjust their choices according to the competition. This dynamic makes the selection process intense and requires constant attention.
Different weights in Enem grades
An important peculiarity of Sisu is that each course and institution can assign different weights to the areas of knowledge assessed by Enem. This strategy values candidates’ strengths and directly influences placement.
For example, an engineering course may give greater weight to mathematics and natural sciences grades, while law and pedagogy courses may value languages and writing more. This criterion varies from institution to institution, and knowing these differences can be a competitive advantage.
Candidates should check which areas are most valued in the courses of interest and adjust their choices to optimize their chances. This analysis is especially useful for students who have excelled in specific areas.
Strategic tips for Sisu
- Carefully choose course options: Enter your top two choices on the first day of registration. Be prepared to adjust them as the cutoff scores evolve.
- Constant monitoring: Follow daily updates to identify changes in cutoff scores and reposition yourself if necessary.
- Understand the different weights: Identify courses and institutions that value the areas where you obtained the best grades in Enem.
- Consider waiting list: On popular courses, it may be worth focusing on a single option to increase your chances of getting on the waiting list.
- Flexibility in choices: If necessary, choose less popular courses or institutions outside your region to guarantee a place.
Sisu statistics over the years
Sisu has grown consistently since its creation. In 2024, more than 2.5 million students signed up, competing for around 280,000 places. The 2025 edition maintains robust numbers, with more than 260 thousand places distributed nationally, reaffirming the importance of the program as the main means of access to public higher education.
Medicine, engineering and law courses continue to be the most sought after, with cut-off scores often above 800 points. On the other hand, areas such as degrees in mathematics and physics have less competition, offering good opportunities for candidates who wish to enter higher education.
Regional impact and distribution of vacancies
The distribution of vacancies at Sisu reflects Brazil’s regional diversity, promoting inclusion and accessibility. Institutions from states such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro account for the majority of vacancies, while smaller states have a proportional share. This decentralization ensures that students across the country have access to educational opportunities.
History and evolution of Sisu
Since its implementation, Sisu has transformed access to higher education in Brazil, reducing barriers and promoting meritocracy. Before its creation, many students needed to travel to participate in in-person entrance exams, which limited access for low-income candidates. With Sisu, this reality changed, democratizing the process.
The program also contributed to increasing the occupancy of available places at public universities, reducing dropout rates and ensuring greater efficiency in the use of public resources.
Main challenges faced by candidates
Although Sisu has facilitated access to higher education, candidates face significant challenges, such as high competitiveness and the need to plan their choices strategically. High-demand courses, such as medicine, require extremely high grades, leaving many students out of the running.
Furthermore, the complexity of the system, with different weights for Enem areas, can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the rules. Therefore, it is essential that candidates seek guidance and use all available tools to maximize their chances.
Curiosities about the Sisu
- Origin of the name: The name Sisu is an acronym for Unified Selection System, but it also refers to a Finnish word that means determination and courage.
- First edition: The first edition of Sisu, in 2010, offered around 50 thousand places, a significantly lower number compared to the more than 260 thousand in 2025.
- Regional inclusion: States in the North and Northeast have registered an increase in the number of enrollees, reflecting the positive impact of the program in reducing regional inequalities.
- Growing popularity: Sisu attracts candidates from different profiles, from recent high school graduates to people who want to resume their studies after years away.
What to expect from Sisu in the coming years
Experts predict that Sisu will continue to be improved to meet growing demand and changes in the profile of candidates. New technologies and artificial intelligence systems can be incorporated to make the process even more efficient and transparent.
