Portuguese for Exam Day at a Brazilian University — Practice

Recognize common exam instructions

A prova is an exam or test. You may hear leia com atenção (read carefully), assinale a alternativa (mark the option), or responda no espaço indicado (answer in the indicated space). If an instruction is unclear, ask the supervisor before beginning.

Do not guess about rules that affect your answers or materials. A short clarification can prevent an avoidable mistake.

Ask about time and permitted materials

Ask quanto tempo temos? (how much time do we have?) to confirm the duration. For materials, ask whether a dictionary, calculator, or notes are allowed. Permission can differ by assessment, so follow that exam's instructions.

If you need an accessibility arrangement, contact the appropriate university office in advance whenever possible. Do not assume it has been recorded without confirmation.

Clarify procedure without asking for an answer

You can ask what a word in the instructions means or where to record a response while still doing the academic work yourself. A supervisor may explain the procedure but may not be allowed to interpret a question. Respect the boundary they give you.

After the exam, note unfamiliar instructions and review them for next time.

Remember: Clarify the procedure, timing, and permitted materials with the exam supervisor.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Should the answers be written on this sheet?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   As respostas devem ser escritas nesta folha?

2. Do I need to explain every answer?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso justificar todas as respostas?

3. How much time do we have to finish the exam?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quanto tempo temos para terminar a prova?

4. Is a calculator allowed for this question?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   É permitido usar calculadora nesta questão?

5. Where should I write my name?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Onde devo colocar meu nome?

6. Do I also need to hand in the scratch paper?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso entregar também a folha de rascunho?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Clarify the procedure, timing, and permitted materials with the exam supervisor.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Portuguese for Exam Day at a Brazilian University lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.