Just over two months left for one of Brazil’s most challenging entrance exams: the University Foundation for the Vestibular Foundation (Fuvest), responsible for selecting students to the University of São Paulo (USP) and recognized for the high level of demand. The first phase of the exam takes place on November 23 (Sunday), and the second on December 14 and 15.

One of Fuvest’s most important tests is that of social sciences that contemplates the disciplines: Philosophy, Sociology, Arts and Physical Education. Therefore, in the period of countdown to this entrance exam, the author of history, philosophy and sociology of the teaching system, Ana Paula Aguiar, talks about the importance of studying these disciplines to achieve the desired grade.

“Fuvest’s social science proof has its importance, since discipline is fundamental to the understanding of social phenomena and cultural, with a strong interdisciplinary character that is reflected in the proof, addressing topics such as the role of the state, social movement, culture and power relations, ”he says.

To help students who will face this challenge, Ana Paula Aguiar shares 7 essential tips. Check it out!

1. Prioritize the classics of sociology

One of the main strategies is to prioritize the great thinkers, known as “classics of sociology”, such as Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim and Max Weber, dominating their concepts, such as social fact, Protestant ethics, alienation and social action.

“From them, the candidate must establish connections with contemporary themes that often appear in the tests, such as democracy, violence, inequality, digital media, race and gender, making the study more contextualized and applicable to issues,” says Ana Paula Aguiar.

2. Relate theory and today

In previous editions, Fuvest presented questions related to Recent phenomenasuch as extractivism and colonialism of data, necropolitics, fake newscancellation culture associated with market values, racial issues and inequality, social exclusion and violence. According to Ana Paula Aguiar, these subjects continue as strong bets, as they represent persistent challenges in Brazil and worldwide.

Also in this sense, the author reports that, for the next edition, there are topics that are on the rise and have the chances of falling into the entrance exam, such as 6 × 1 scale and contemporary working conditions, work platform, the impacts of artificial intelligence and the transformations of nation state in the face of globalization (social networks, uberization, etc.).

“These topics dialogue with recent debates about work, technology and international politics, and maintain consistency with the line of critical approach that characterizes Fuvest’s evidence,” he says.

One of the indispensable strategies for those seeking to understand Fuvest’s logic and stand out in the area of ​​social sciences, is to use previous editions to Train for the entrance exam. According to the expert, by resolving old tests, the student becomes familiar with the interdisciplinary approach and gains security to face recurring topics such as citizenship, social movements and structural violence.

4. Build a quality repertoire

Quality didactic materials already offer solid direction to students, as they are prepared based on the Common Curriculum National Base (BNCC) and the trends of the main entrance exams in the country. But beyond these resources, articles and quality reports are also fundamental, especially those that address politics, inequality, racism, gender and economy.

“These complementary readings expand the critical repertoire, help to relate sociological concepts to current problems and allow the student to develop a more comprehensive and contextual view of Brazilian and world reality,” says Ana Paula Aguiar.

5. Use movies and series as a sociological laboratory

Far beyond entertainment, audiovisual works have been recommended by educators such as true “sociological laboratories” for those preparing for Fuvest. “Watching movies and series with a critical look allows you to develop sociological imagination, a concept of C. Wright Mills that encourages the student to connect individual experiences with broader social structures,” says the expert.

Recent titles such as “Joker” (2019), “The Woman King” (2022), “The Substance” (2023) and “Perfect Days” (2023) offer rich possibilities for analysis, according to Ana Paula Aguiar. While “Joker” raises debates about exclusion and mental health In unequal urban contexts, “The Woman King” provokes reflections on black identity, coloniality and resistance, in dialogue with authors such as Lélia Gonzalez and Sueli Carneiro.

Already “The substance ”exposes the aesthetic pressures imposed on women and control over their bodies, while“ perfect days ”proposes a subtle reflection on routine, work and alienation, in the light of Marxist thinking. For Ana Paula Aguiar, this kind of exercise expands the student’s understanding of recurring topics, such as inequality, power, gender and citizenship. Valued in Fuvest’s recent editions, ”he says.

6. Use the sociological repertoire in the newsroom

In addition to contributing to the resolution of objective issues, sociology has gained protagonism in Fuvest’s newsroom, providing critical and deepened repertoire for the construction of arguments. “All the topics proposed by the bank, directly or indirectly, involve sociological reflections. Therefore, mastering concepts and authors of the area is an important differential,” he says.

In recent years, the test has charged knowledge of social theories. “The domain of sociological concepts allows the student elaborate arguments More consistent and contextualized, which significantly enriches the dissertation text, ”says the author. The recommendation is that candidates not only memorize definitions, but understand how to apply these references to concrete social problems, something increasingly required by Fuvest Banking.

7. Understand the concepts

One of the main traps for those preparing for Fuvest is to bet on the mere memorization of concepts. According to the author of the PH education system, decorating definitions without understanding your practical application is a mistake that can compromise performance, especially in dissertation and writing tests. “The bank does not only evaluate theoretical knowledge, but the candidate’s ability to interpret, contextualize and apply these concepts to real situations,” he explains.

To avoid this misconception, it is essential to adopt an active study stance: to practice critical reading, relate authors and sociological theories with contemporary problems and revise previous evidence. The recommendation is clear: Escape from Decoreba.

Por Patrícia Martins Buzaid