this article has two objectives: (1) to describe the Literacy History (LH) of those candidates to entrance exam of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG) and (2) to analyze the relationship between the mobilization of literacy practices both in the compositions and in the candidates' LH. The data indicate that the Literacy History composed of school literacy practices was not enough for candidates to attend the literacy practices required by the exam. However, those who demonstrated an LH punctuated by writing experiences acquired outside the school attended more adequately to what was requested in textual production.
composition test; literacy practices; literacy history
