TOPIK — Test of Proficiency in Korean

Korean Language Proficiency Test for Foreigners

TOPIK is Korea's official Korean-language proficiency test administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It is widely used by international students and foreigners who need to demonstrate their Korean-language ability.

What You Need to Know

TOPIK I is designed for beginner-level Korean learners, while TOPIK II covers intermediate to advanced proficiency. TOPIK is available in paper-based and computer-based formats depending on the examination schedule and location.

Registration periods, test locations and available test formats can change, so applicants should always check the current official schedule before applying.

Understanding TOPIK I and TOPIK II

TOPIK is divided into two main test levels: TOPIK I for beginner learners and TOPIK II for intermediate and advanced learners. Your final TOPIK level is determined by your total test score.

TOPIK I — Beginner

TOPIK I is intended for learners with basic Korean-language ability. It consists of:

• Listening: 30 questions
• Reading: 40 questions
• Total: 70 questions
• Maximum Score: 200 points

Level 1: 80–139 points

Level 2: 140–200 points

There is no writing section in TOPIK I.

TOPIK II — Intermediate to Advanced

TOPIK II is designed for learners who need intermediate or advanced Korean proficiency. It consists of:

• Listening: 50 questions
• Writing: 4 questions
• Reading: 50 questions
• Maximum Score: 300 points

Level 3: 120–149 points

Level 4: 150–189 points

Level 5: 190–229 points

Level 6: 230–300 points

The writing section is particularly important for applicants aiming for higher TOPIK levels.

What Do the TOPIK Levels Mean?

Level 1 — Basic Beginner

Can understand and use basic Korean needed for simple everyday situations.

Level 2 — Beginner

Can communicate about familiar everyday topics and handle basic situations in Korea.

Level 3 — Intermediate

Can communicate in many everyday situations and understand Korean needed for general social activities.

Level 4 — Upper Intermediate

Can understand and use Korean for a wider range of social, educational and professional situations.

Level 5 — Advanced

Can use Korean effectively in professional, academic and more complex social situations.

Level 6 — Highly Advanced

Can understand and express complex ideas in Korean with a high level of proficiency.

Which TOPIK Level Do Foreigners Need?

There is no single TOPIK level required for all foreigners. The required level depends on the purpose.

Important: Universities, employers, scholarship programs and immigration authorities can establish different requirements. Applicants should always verify the current requirement with the relevant organization.

TOPIK Score Validity

TOPIK scores are generally valid for two years from the date the test results are announced.

If you need TOPIK for university admission, employment or another official purpose, check that your score will still be valid when you submit your application.

• TOPIK I Exam
• Listening: 30 Questions, 40 minutes
• Reading: 40 Questions, 60 minutes

TOPIK Registration Guide for Foreigners

Foreigners living in Korea can apply for TOPIK during the official registration period announced for each examination. Test dates, registration periods and available test centers vary by examination.

Applicants should check the official TOPIK website before each registration because schedules and test-center availability can change.

Before Registration

Prepare the information and documents required by the current TOPIK registration system.

Applicants should make sure that their personal information matches the identification document they will use for the examination. Always check the official announcement for the specific examination before registering.

Registration Process

Step 1 — Check the Test Schedule

Check the official TOPIK website for the current examination schedule, registration period, test date and result announcement date.

Step 2 — Choose the Test

Select the appropriate examination:

• TOPIK I
• TOPIK II
• TOPIK IBT, when available
• TOPIK Speaking, when available

Step 3 — Select a Test Center

Choose an available test center during registration. Test centers differ between examination sessions and availability is not guaranteed.

Step 4 — Complete Your Application

Enter the required personal information and complete the application according to the instructions shown in the registration system.

Step 5 — Pay the Examination Fee

Complete payment within the required period and confirm that your application has been successfully processed. Fees can differ according to the TOPIK test type. Applicants should check the current fee shown in the official examination notice.

Step 6 — Check Your Application

After registration, check your application details and examination information through the TOPIK system.

2026 TOPIK Schedule

TOPIK examinations are held multiple times during the year. The Ministry of Education and NIIED publish an official annual implementation notice containing:

• Registration periods
• Test dates
• Result announcement dates
• Examination fees
• Applicant instructions

Because these details change each year, users should be directed to the current official schedule. The 2026 schedule is officially published by NIIED.

What Foreigners Need to Know on Test Day

Taking TOPIK in Korea is straightforward, but candidates should understand the test-day procedures before arriving at the examination center.

Rules and procedures can differ depending on whether you take TOPIK PBT, TOPIK IBT or TOPIK Speaking. Candidates taking the examination outside Korea should also check the instructions provided by their local test administrator.

Before Going to the Test Center

Check your examination information carefully before leaving for the test center.

Make sure you know:

• Test date
• Test center
• Test type
• Candidate information
• Reporting and entry time
• Identification requirements

Arriving without the required identification or after the permitted entry time may affect your ability to take the examination.

Always check the latest official TOPIK notice rather than relying on information from a previous test.

TOPIK PBT

PBT — Paper-Based Test is the traditional paper examination.

TOPIK I PBT

• Listening — 30 questions
• Reading — 40 questions
• Total testing time — 100 minutes
• Maximum score — 200

TOPIK II PBT

• Listening — 50 questions
• Reading — 50 questions
• Writing — 4 questions
• Total testing time — 180 minutes
• Maximum score — 300

TOPIK I evaluates beginner Korean proficiency, while TOPIK II evaluates intermediate to advanced proficiency.

TOPIK IBT

IBT — Internet-Based Test is taken on a computer at an authorized examination center.

The IBT format differs from PBT in the number of questions, testing time and scoring system.

Candidates planning to take IBT should become familiar with the computer-based testing system before the examination.

TOPIK Speaking

TOPIK Speaking is a separate speaking assessment. The current official structure consists of:

• 6 Tasks
• Approximately 30 Minutes
• Maximum Score: 200
• Levels: 1–6

TOPIK Speaking is separate from TOPIK I and TOPIK II.

Identification

Candidates must follow the identification requirements announced for their examination. Foreign residents should carefully check which identification documents are accepted before test day. Candidates taking TOPIK outside Korea should pay particular attention because identification and test-center entry procedures may differ by country.

What to Bring

Candidates should check the official examination notice before test day and prepare all required items. Depending on the test format and examination session, requirements may differ. Do not rely on unofficial websites or information from an older examination.

After the Test

Results are released according to the official TOPIK schedule. TOPIK results can be used for purposes including:

• University admission and graduation
• Employment applications
• Korean-language proficiency verification
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
• Certain employment and permanent-residency visa qualifications

The required TOPIK level varies according to the university, employer, scholarship or immigration program.

Free Official Resources for Foreign TOPIK Candidates

Foreigners preparing for TOPIK do not necessarily need to pay for a private academy. Korea provides several official online learning resources that can be used to study Korean and prepare for the examination.

Free resources include TOPIK lectures, previous examination questions, listening materials, writing guides and computer-based TOPIK practice.

Free TOPIK I Video Lessons

The Korean government's Study in Korea service provides free beginner-level TOPIK I learning videos. The lectures are available in multiple languages, making them particularly useful for foreigners beginning their TOPIK preparation. Learners can use these materials before moving on to more intensive TOPIK study.

Today's TOPIK

Learners can practice with TOPIK questions regularly through the official learning service. The service provides five past TOPIK questions each day, allowing candidates to build a daily study routine without purchasing additional materials.

Past Examination Materials

Official learning resources include:

• Previous TOPIK examination questions
• PDF study materials
• Listening MP3 files
• Writing guides

These materials are particularly useful because candidates can become familiar with the types of questions used in the actual examination.

Free TOPIK IBT Practice

Candidates planning to take TOPIK IBT can practice using the official computer-based test environment.

The practice system allows users to become familiar with functions such as:

• Listening questions
• Reading questions
• Selecting answers with a mouse
• Drag-and-drop questions
• Reviewing answers
• Submitting answers

Using the practice system before test day can help first-time IBT candidates understand how the examination interface works.

Online King Sejong Institute

The Online King Sejong Institute is an official Korean-language learning platform operated by the King Sejong Institute Foundation.

It offers Korean courses ranging from introductory and beginner levels through intermediate and advanced Korean.

Available areas include:

• Beginner Korean
• Intermediate Korean
• Advanced Korean
• Reading
• Writing
• Business Korean
• Self-learning courses
• Instructor-supported online courses

Courses are also offered with support in numerous languages, including English, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai, Bengali, Nepali, Khmer and Mongolian.

Free Korean Level Test

Learners who are unsure of their Korean level can use the online Korean diagnostic assessment provided through Nuri King Sejong Institute.

The assessment includes beginner and intermediate tests covering Listening and Reading and helps learners identify an appropriate King Sejong Institute course level.

Korean Language Learning and Support Programs for Foreign Residents

Foreign residents in Korea have access to Korean-language education through government programs, local governments, foreign resident centers, multicultural family centers and online learning services.

Depending on the program, classes may be free or offered at a low cost. Availability, eligibility and registration periods vary by location and organization.

Local Foreign Resident Centers

Many cities and districts operate centers that provide services for foreign residents.

Depending on the center, services may include:

• Korean-language classes
• TOPIK preparation
• Daily-life Korean
• Employment-related education
• Interpretation and translation
• Immigration and legal information
• Living consultations
• Cultural programs
• Community activities

Programs vary considerably by location, so foreigners should check the center serving their area. For example, Seoul Global Center is one of Seoul's major foreign-resident support facilities.

Multicultural Family Support

Foreign residents who are members of multicultural families may also be eligible for Korean-language and settlement-support programs through Korea's family support system. Programs can include Korean-language learning, interpretation, family education, counseling and assistance with adapting to life in Korea. Eligibility depends on the particular program.

Korea Immigration & Integration Program — KIIP

The Korea Immigration & Integration Program, commonly known as KIIP, is designed to help immigrants learn the Korean language and understand Korean society.

It is particularly important for foreigners planning long-term settlement in Korea.

KIIP is different from TOPIK.

TOPIK is primarily a Korean-language proficiency examination.

KIIP is an immigration and social-integration education program.

Depending on the immigration procedure involved, completion of KIIP or related assessment results may have relevance to certain residence, permanent residency or naturalization requirements.

Applicants should always verify the current immigration requirements before relying on KIIP for a specific visa or status.

Online King Sejong Institute

Foreigners who cannot attend classroom lessons can study Korean through the Online King Sejong Institute.

It is an official free online Korean-language learning service provided by the King Sejong Institute Foundation.

Courses range from introductory through advanced Korean and include different learning formats. Current course areas include:

• Introductory Korean
• Beginner Korean
• Intermediate Korean
• Advanced Korean
• Business Korean
• Self-learning courses
• Teacher-assisted courses
• Live online classes

The service can be accessed on computers and mobile devices, and multilingual learning content is available. Course materials for Online King Sejong Institute are also available free through Nuri King Sejong Institute.

University Korean Language Programs

Many Korean universities operate Korean-language institutes for international students and foreign residents. These programs generally provide more intensive and structured Korean-language education than community classes. They can be useful for foreigners preparing for:

• University admission
• TOPIK
• Academic study in Korean
• Daily life in Korea
• Long-term Korean-language development

Unlike many government or community programs, university Korean-language programs normally charge tuition.

Programs for Foreign Workers

Foreign workers may also find Korean-language and settlement programs through foreign worker support organizations. Services can vary by center and may include:

• Korean-language education
• Workplace Korean
• Labor counseling
• Interpretation
• Daily-life assistance
• Employment-related information

For example, Incheon Support Center for Foreign Workers operates in Incheon as a support organization for foreign workers.

How to Find a Free Class Near You

Foreign residents should first check:

1. 1Their city or district foreign resident center
2. 2Local multicultural family support services
3. 3Immigration integration programs
4. 4Online King Sejong Institute
5. 5University Korean-language institutes if intensive study is needed

Because local courses open and close throughout the year, always check the current registration notice before visiting a center.