Introduction
The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is a Korean language test for foreigners in Korea or people studying Korean in other countries. Administered by the NIIED (National Institute for International Education), TOPIK is for non-natives whose first language is not Korean, overseas Koreans who are learning Korean, those wishing to study at a Korean university, and for those who want to be employed at Korean companies in and outside of Korea.
There are two level tests – TOPIK I & TOPIK II.
- TOPIK I (basic level) has sub levels 1 and 2 that contain only two sections – Reading and Listening.
- TOPIK II (Intermediate and advanced level) has 4 sub levels from 3 to 6 that cover Reading, Listening and Writing.
Purpose of TOPIK
- To propagate and set direction for learning Korean for non-native Korean speakers and overseas Koreans
- To measure and evaluate their Korean language skills and utilize the results for in-Korea colleges and job-seeking
TOPIK certification grants the following:
- University admission and academic management of foreign Korean Government Scholars.
- Local university admission for foreigners and overseas Koreans who have completed 12 years of education abroad.
- Obtaining working visa for those who want to be employed at Korean companies, and serving as a standard for selecting and managing the employees.
- Recognizing domestic practitioner license for foreigners with medical doctor qualification.
- Application for Korean Language Teaching Qualification test (level 2 and 3) and acquisition of certificate.
- Acquisition of permanent residency right.
- Application for the issuance of marriage-based immigrant visa.
Exam Structure
There are 2 levels of TOPIK you can opt for when taking the TOPIK test. The first level, TOPIK I, is the basic level with two obtainable grades. The second level, TOPIK II, consists of both intermediate and advanced level with four obtainable grades. The two levels have different exam structures and grading systems that we will explain here.
TOPIK I – [ Beginner ]
Exam Structure
TOPIK I is made up of a 100-minute session. The session is split into “Listening” and “Reading” sections, with the allocated time of 40 minutes and 60 minutes respectively. Each section is allocated 100 marks totalling the maximum score to be 200.
Test Levels
Test Level: TOPIK I, TOPIK II
Grading: 6 Levels (Level 1-6)
Level | TOPIK I | TOPIK II | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grading | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 |
Determination of Grade | > 80 points | > 140 points | > 120 points | > 150 points | > 190 points | > 230 points |
Quuestion Structure and Test Timings
- Questions for Listening and Reading are all in multiple choice. Chooise 1 from 3 provided answers
Level | Session | Area (Duration) | No. of questions | Score | Total Score | Seated Time | Start Time | End Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOPIK I Grade 1-2 | One only | Listening (40mins) | 100 | 200 | 08:15-08:40 | 09:10 | 10:50 | |
Reading (60mins) | 40 | 100 | ||||||
TOPIK II Grade 3-6 | Session 1 | Listening (60mins) | 50 | 100 | 300 | 11:25-1150 | 12:20 | 14:10 |
Writing (50mins) | 4 | 100 | ||||||
Session 2 | Reading (70mins) | 50 | 100 | 14:30 | 14:40 | 15:50 |
Evaluation on Writing (TOPIK II)
- 2 parts for Writing – sentences and essays
- 2 questions of complete sentences; 2 Essays (200-300 words required for Grade 3 or 4, 600-700 words required for Grade 5 or 6).
Grade | Evaluation |
---|---|
Grade 3 | Evaluate whether the description or appreciation sentences of familiar social material can be constructed relatively accurately and appropriately in paragraphs and assess whether the practical sentences of personal material related to everyday context can be used in a formal way. |
Grade 4 | Evaluate whether the narrative or commentary of general or familiar social material related to the social context can be constructed accurately and appropriately in paragraph units. |
Grade 5 | Evaluate whether it is possible to construct comparatively accurate and appropriate essays related to social, abstract material or work or specialty. |
Grade 6 | Evaluate whether it is possible to accurately and appropriately construct essays related to social, abstract material or work or specialty. |
– Avoided test questions that are not advantageous to any certain language/ linguistic group
Content of Evaluation Range
Level & Grade | Content | |
---|---|---|
TOPIK I | Grade 1 |
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Grade 2 |
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TOPIK II | Grade 3 |
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Grade 4 |
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Grade 5 |
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Grade 6 |
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Registration
Applicant Qualification
Overseas Koreans and foreigners for whom Korean is a second language (no age limit)
For those who:
- Aim to learn the language and enter a Korean university for higher studies
- Seek jobs in companies and public institutions in Korea and overseas
- Reside overseas or are attending/graduated from a foreign school
Validity period
2 years from date of issue
How to apply
In Korea
If you are in Korea, you can register for the test online on www.topik.go.kr. The registration fee is KRW 35,000 for TOPIK I (level 1-2) and KRW 40,000 for TOPIK II (level 3-6), which can be paid through debit/credit card, online banking or direct bank transfer.
In Other Countries
In most countries, the Korean Embassies and Korean Culture Centres (한국문화원) administer the TOPIK tests. Some affiliate institutes also accept the applications. You can get the list of the affiliate institutions in your country our Updates page. For registration, you have to visit the embassy or affiliate institution with 2 passport size photographs and the registration fee (which varies country to country).
In Malaysia
You can apply at National University of Malaysia (KL)
Phone number: 603-8921-6556
Address: School of Language Studies and Linguistics, FSSK, National University of Malaysia, UKM Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Fees: TOPIKI : Rm 90 TOPIKII : Rm 100
For more information, please refer to the website: https://blog.naver.com/koreaukm
In Singapore
You can apply at Singapore Korean International school by website
http://klc.skis.or.kr
phone number: 65-6741-0778
address: 71 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore289759
Fees: TOPIKI : SGD 72 TOPIKII : SGD 80
Schedule for 2020
Application Period | Testing Date(s) | Result Announcement Date | |
---|---|---|---|
69th TOPIK | Friday, January 31, 2020 (09:00) ~ Thursday, February 6, 2020 (18:00) | Saturday, April 11, 2020 ~ Sunday, April 12, 2020 | Thursday, May 21, 2020 |
70th TOPIK | Tuesday, March 10, 2020 (09:00) ~ Monday, March 16, 2020 (18:00) | Saturday, May 23, 2020 ~ Sunday, May 24, 2020 | Tuesday, June 30, 2020 |
71st TOPIK | Friday, May 29, 2020 (09:00) ~ Thursday, June 4, 2020 (18:00) | Sunday, July 12, 2020 | Thursday, August 20, 2020 |
72nd TOPIK | Tuesday, August 4, 2020 (09:00) ~ Monday, August 10, 2020 (18:00) | Saturday, October 17, 2020 ~ Sunday, October 18, 2020 | Thursday, November 26, 2020 |
73rd TOPIK | Tuesday, September 8, 2020 (09:00) ~ Monday, September 14, 2020 (18:00) | Saturday, November 14, 2020 ~ Sunday, November 15, 2020 | Thursday, December 24, 2020 |
How to check the examination results
Log on to the website(www.topik.go.kr) to check the results and status of sent score report.
- Number of times of examination, candidate seat number, and date of birth are needed to check the examination results at the website.
- Overseas candidates can check the examination results at the website(www.topik.go.kr).
How to be issued the score report
1) Issuance through the internet
Score report can be issued online by using the score report issuance menu at TOPIK website (printable on the day of results announcement)
2) Receipt by mail
Receipt by mail The score report will be sent three(3) days after the examination results announcement for Korean candidates. The receipt is not guaranteed because the score report is sent via ordinary mail. Score report which is returned or has incorrect address will not be resent(receivable by visit within 3 months)