Public exams (concursos): how to start studying and choose a career

To start studying for a concurso público (Brazilian public service exam), choose the field and education level, read the notice (edital) of a previous exam for the position you want, build a weekly study plan, and practice with past tests. Entry into the public service depends on prior approval in a concurso, through tests or tests and credentials (Constitution, art. 37, II).

What the Constitution provides

Article 37 of the Constituição Federal (Federal Constitution) sets the basic rules for entering the public service:

• Public positions and jobs are open to Brazilians who meet the requirements set by law (item I).
• Appointment depends on prior approval in a concurso, except for positions in commission that are freely appointed (item II).
• The concurso is valid for up to two years, extendable once for an equal period (item III).
• Within the notice's validity period, those who pass have priority for appointment over newly approved candidates for the same position (item IV).
• The law reserves a percentage of positions and jobs for people with disabilities (item VIII).

How to choose a career

1. Define your level: elementary (fundamental), high school (médio), or higher education (superior), according to your schooling.
2. Choose the sphere: federal, state, or municipal, and the type of function, such as administrative, tax, education, health, or security.
3. Research pay, working hours, requirements, and work location in recent notices.
4. See which positions require specific training or professional registration. Without the required qualification, you cannot take office even if you pass.

The federal government gathers information on the Concurso Público Nacional Unificado (CNU, Unified National Public Exam) on the Ministry of Management and Innovation portal, on gov.br.

How to build a study plan

• Read the entire notice: syllabus, weights, number of questions, elimination criteria, and exam date.
• Start with the subjects that score the most, such as Portuguese, logical reasoning, and specific knowledge.
• Split the content into weekly blocks and set fixed times, even if it is only a few hours a day.
• Solve questions from previous exams by the same exam board (banca) and review your mistakes.
• Take timed practice exams close to the exam date.

If the notice has not been published yet, study from the previous exam's notice, because the structure tends to repeat. Planning depends on the exam board and the position.

Registration, fee waivers, and quotas

Registration is usually online, with a fee. Notices may provide fee waivers for people who meet defined criteria. In the Concurso Público Nacional Unificado, for example, there was a waiver for people registered in the CadÚnico (Single Registry for Social Programs), bone marrow donors, and scholarship holders or financed students of Prouni (University for All Program) and Fies (Student Financing Fund). The rules of each concurso are always in the notice, so check deadlines and documents.

Notices include reserved spots for people with disabilities and may provide reservations for other groups. In the 2024 Concurso Público Nacional Unificado, for example, the reservation was 5% for people with disabilities and 20% for Black people. Read the notice's specific rule to learn how to register for the reservation.

For other ways into the job market, see Vagas para PcD: como encontrar emprego pela lei de cotas.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a prep course to pass?

It is not required. Many candidates study with free materials and past exams. Choose the method that fits your routine.

What is the difference between approved and appointed?

Being approved means having a high enough score. Appointment depends on the availability of positions and on being called within the concurso's validity period.

Can I take several concursos at the same time?

Yes, as long as the dates do not overlap. Focusing on a few exam boards and careers usually makes studying easier.

Read also

• Como conseguir emprego em 2026: passo a passo
• Mudança de carreira: como começar do zero
• Vagas para PcD: como encontrar emprego pela lei de cotas