What is TOPIK?

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language proficiency exam administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It is required or beneficial for university admission, employment, and visa applications.

Test Levels

TOPIK I (Beginner)

1. Level 1 — Score 80+. Basic greetings, ordering food, simple daily tasks.
2. Level 2 — Score 140+. Phone calls, using public services, simple conversation.

TOPIK II (Intermediate–Advanced)

1. Level 3 — Score 120+. Daily life without major difficulty. Basic work communication.
2. Level 4 — Score 150+. News comprehension, common business tasks. Required for most university programs.
3. Level 5 — Score 190+. Professional and academic discourse.
4. Level 6 — Score 230+. Near-native fluency. Complex professional tasks.

Most Korean universities require TOPIK Level 3-4 for admission. Some graduate programs require Level 5-6. The F-2 (long-term resident) visa point system awards points for TOPIK scores.

Test Format

TOPIK I (100 minutes)

1. Listening: 30 questions
2. Reading: 40 questions

TOPIK II (180 minutes)

1. Listening: 50 questions
2. Writing: 4 questions (including 2 essays)
3. Reading: 50 questions

Schedule and Registration

TOPIK is held 6 times per year in Korea (approximately every 2 months) and 2-4 times abroad. Results are valid for 2 years from the announcement date.

Register at: topik.go.kr (English available)

Fee: approximately 40,000 KRW for TOPIK I, 55,000 KRW for TOPIK II (in Korea).

Study Resources

1. TOPIK official past exams — Free at topik.go.kr
2. King Sejong Institute — Free online Korean courses at iksi.or.kr
3. Talk To Me In Korean — Structured lessons from beginner to advanced. talktomeinkorean.com
4. Korean Grammar in Use — Popular textbook series (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
5. TOPIK GUIDE — topikguide.com. Free practice tests and vocabulary lists.

Test dates, fees, and formats may change. Check topik.go.kr for the latest information.