Classification of Physics questions of the new ENEM (National Exam for High School Students in Brazil)

Abstract

This article addresses Physics questions in tests of Natural Sciences and their Technologies under the new ENEM. In these tests, we selected items (questions) that highlighted some aspect of Physics. The questions were classified for Competence and Skill according to the test reference matrix, and using Bardin’s content analysis (2010), we proposed that each group of items under a given competence is grouped into categories. From the observation and analysis of emerging categories we presented some guidelines on characteristics of problem-solving situations related to Physics in the new ENEM. Besides, through analysis of the emerging categories, we attempted to evaluate the compliance of the selected questions to the guidelines established under the Brazilian National Curriculum Parameters for High School (PCNEM), the Complementary Guidelines to the Brazilian National Curriculum Parameters (PCN+) and the Guidelines to the National Curriculum for High School (OCEM). We realized that many guidelines from the emerging categories are consistent with PCN, PCN+ and OCEM guidelines. We hope that our research will contribute to the alignment of teaching practice by promoting an innovative teaching of Physics focused on the development of competences and skills, aimed to improve learning, thus improving performance in exams such as the ENEM.