Korean Proficiency Test: About TOPIK

Are you considering moving to Korea to study or work? If you are not a native Korean speaker, you will be required to take a Korean proficiency test. This test, known as TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean), is used to assess your ability to read, write, and listen in Korean, and it will determine whether you are eligible for a long-term visa.

What is TOPIK?

As mentioned, TOPIK is a Korean proficiency test administered by the National Institute of International Education (NIIED) for people whose first language is not Korean and for overseas ethnic Koreans who want to study at a Korean university, work in Korean companies in and outside of Korea, or reside permanently in Korea. TOPIK is divided into two levels; TOPIK I consists of two grades 1 and 2, and two test sections—reading and listening—while TOPIK II consists of four grade levels 3, 4, 5 and 6, and three test sections—reading, listening, and writing.

Learn More: How to Improve Your Korean Language Speaking Skills

TOPIK is offered multiple times per year in Korea, but less frequently in other countries. In Singapore, it is conducted twice a year. If you are learning Korean in Singapore and want to take the TOPIK test, you can register for a spot through the Singapore Korean International School's website.

TOPIK Evaluation Criteria

• TOPIK 1: Grades 1 and 2

  TOPIK I has 70 reading and listening comprehension Multiple Choice Questions worth a total of 200 points. In order to score, candidates must be able to conduct basic or simple conversations related to daily survival such as self-introduction, purchasing, ordering food, making phone calls, and more. In addition, candidates must be able to use 800 to 2,000 vocabulary words, understand basic Korean grammar, and accurately use formal and informal expressions depending on the situation.

   

• TOPIK II: Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6

  TOPIK II has 104 questions worth 300 marks in total. There are 100 reading and listening Multiple Choice Questions, and four short answer/essay questions for writing.

  • Grade 3: Candidates should be able to perform basic linguistic functions necessary for the use of public facilities and maintain social relationships.

  • Grade 4: Candidates should be able to perform linguistic functions necessary for the performance of ordinary tasks and be able to understand parts of news broadcasts and newspapers.

  • Grade 5 & 6: Candidates should be able to perform linguistic functions to a certain degree necessary for research and tasks in professional fields, as well as understand and use the expressions related to unfamiliar subjects of politics, economics, society, and culture.

What Can You Do with TOPIK Certification

After receiving your TOPIK certification, which is only valid for two years from the date of result announcement, you can apply for a variety of opportunities in Korea, including studying at a Korean university, obtaining work visas for Korean companies in Korea, applying for the Korean Language Teaching Qualification Test, which allows you to teach Korean language, applying for permanent residency in Korea, obtaining a marriage-based immigrant visa, and more.

Want to learn Korean or prepare for your TOPIK test? ONLYOU Korean Language School in Singapore offers a variety of class schedules and structures for different learners. Find out more about our classes on our website.