Your ultimate guide to the Korean language test TOPIK (2024)

After taking Korean classes online for some time or studying Korean on your own, you may want to showcase your Korean language skills by taking a Korean-level test.

A Korean proficiency test certificate can be helpful if you plan to apply for university programs or seek employment opportunities in South Korea.

In this guide, you’ll discover all the essential information to prepare for the TOPIK exam.

What is TOPIK?

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean or 한국어능력시험) is the official Korean language proficiency test administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in South Korea. The exam is aimed at non-native Korean speakers or overseas Koreans who are interested in obtaining an official language certification.

More people are taking the TOPIK exam each year, which shows an increasing interest in learning Korean and studying or working in Korea. For instance, the number of exam takers doubled from 206k in 2015 to 417k in 2021, and this trend is expected to continue.

Also, whether you take the exam in South Korea or overseas, it holds international recognition and validity.

TOPIK test levels and structure

How many TOPIK levels are there?

The Korean proficiency exam consists of 2 main levels and 6 sublevels:

• TOPIK I: This level encompasses beginner levels 1 and 2, equivalent to A1 and A2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To pass the exam, you need to score at least 80 points.
• TOPIK II: This level covers intermediate (3, 4) and advanced (5, 6) levels, corresponding to B1, B2, C1, and C2 levels, respectively. To pass this exam, you must achieve a minimum of 120 points.

How is the exam structured?

Depending on the level of TOPIK you take, the exam structure also changes:

TOPIK I

The beginner level includes only 2 sections: Listening and reading comprehension. The exam features multiple-choice questions for both sections. Each section counts for 100 points, for a maximum score of 200.

TOPIK II

Intermediate and advanced levels include 3 sections: Listening, writing, and reading comprehension.

In addition to multiple-choice questions for listening and reading, the writing section includes subjective questions such as complete-the-sentence questions, a short essay, and a one-page essay. Each section also counts for 100 points, and the maximum score you can get is 300 points.

The exam questions start out easy and become progressively more difficult, so don’t worry if you find the last questions challenging with your current Korean skills.Here, you have a more comprehensive table of the test composition:

What is the timetable for the exam?

The Korean proficiency exams are taken on the same day, one after the other, starting with the beginner level and continuing with the intermediate and advanced levels.

For both TOPIK I and TOPIK II, test takers must arrive at the exam room 40 minutes before the scheduled start time. This is to check the students’ IDs and to read the exam instructions.

• TOPIK I: This exam doesn’t include breaks and lasts for 100 minutes. It starts at 10 AM and finishes at 11:40 AM. Test takers must complete both the listening and reading comprehension sections within this time frame.
• TOPIK II: Unlike TOPIK I, TOPIK II consists of 2 parts, with a break in between. The first part, which includes the listening and writing sections, lasts 110 minutes and begins at 1 PM. After a break of 30 minutes, the reading comprehension section starts at 3:20 PM, ending at 4:30 PM.

How to register for the TOPIK exam

If you are in South Korea

If you plan to take the exam in South Korea, you will have to register through the official TOPIK website’s registration page. Be aware that only exams with open registration dates will be displayed.

The application process for the Korean exam is simple. You’ll need to provide your personal details, select your preferred exam location, and complete the registration fee payment using a credit card, online banking, or direct bank transfer.

Over 10,000 people try to sign up during the registration period in Korea. For that reason, it’s best to access the registration page when it opens to avoid waiting a long time or missing out on a spot.

To help with the long queues, the government now assigns different days for different exam locations. For example, if you want to take the exam in Busan, you need to check what day these slots will open.

If you are overseas

Since the number of people taking the Korean exam overseas is less, you won’t have to endure long waiting times and stress.

The Korean embassy in that country, universities, or official language centers are typically responsible for managing the exam outside Korea.

The registration process can differ depending on your location, so it’s best to look up information about where the exam is held and apply through that organization. You can visit the official TOPIK website to check the official institutions where exams are held in your country.

When to register to take the TOPIK exam

If you are in South Korea

TOPIK in South Korea is usually held 6 times a year on the following months:

• January
• April
• May
• July
• October
• November

You can find the exact registration and exam dates on the TOPIK website.

If you are overseas

The Korean official exams held outside of Korea have fewer application dates. In many countries, the exams are offered in April and October, with some offering additional dates in July.

You can check the schedule for the TOPIK exam in your country to ensure you don’t miss the deadline.

How to check your TOPIK score

Whether you’re in Korea or overseas, you can check your TOPIK score on the official website. Simply input the exam’s edition number, your registration number, and your date of birth.

The test score will always be accessible from 3 PM on the scheduled announcement date.

As shown in the table below, your TOPIK Korean level is determined by the number of points you score:

The score focuses on specific evaluation criteria of different topic levels.

Other TOPIK exams

Since 2021, Korea has introduced 2 new TOPIK exams that are only available in Korea for now.

IBT TOPIK (Internet-Based Test)

IBT TOPIK is the online form of the traditional exam. In 2021, Korea conducted a mock TOPIK exam online involving 400 test takers to assess its feasibility. Following its success, the online exam has gradually been introduced in Korea and a few other countries.

TOPIK SPEAKING

In 2021, similar to the online test, Korea conducted 2 pilot exams to introduce a speaking test, with 1,200 test takers per session. You can visit the official website for more information on exam dates and details.

Prepare for the TOPIK exam with Preply

Now that you have all the essential information to prepare for the Korean proficiency exam, you may want to consider finding a Korean tutor on Preply to help you practice.

One of the most effective ways to study for the TOPIK exam is by solving mock exams from past papers in your online Korean lessons. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the exam’s format and difficulty level while receiving personalized guidance and feedback from your tutor.

Sangmi L., a certified Preply tutor, advises: “To improve your performance, set a timer and practice with mock tests two weeks before the exam to see how long it takes to answer questions. Also, in the first writing section, the answer is usually in the sentences near the gap you need to fill, so pay attention. Lastly, for the essay part, I prepare by organizing my opinions on different life topics and making a list of related vocabulary.”

Remember, consistent practice and preparation are key to succeeding in the TOPIK exam and getting the proficiency level you worked so hard for!