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Test of Proficiency in Korean

TOPIK Introduction

Test Levels and Sublevels

  • Levels: TOPIK I, TOPIK II
  • Sublevels: 6 sublevels (Sublevels 1 to 6)
  • The level and sublevel is determined based on the total score obtained as follows.

  • TOPIK I TOPIK II
     Sublevel 1  Sublevel 2  Sublevel 3  Sublevel 4  Sublevel 5  Sublevel 6
    Judgment criteria 80 ~ 139 140 ~ 200 120 ~ 149
    150 ~ 189 190 ~ 229
    230 ~ 300

    ※ Based on the standards applied prior to the 35th TOPIK, TOPIK I corresponds to the beginner level and TOPIK II corresponds to the intermediate and advanced levels.

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    Test Timetable

  • Levels: TOPIK I, TOPIK II
  • Sublevels: 6 sublevels (Sublevels 1 to 6)
  • The level and sublevel is determined based on the total score obtained as follows.

  • Period  Section Korea  Duration (min)
     Must enter the room by Start  End
    TOPIK I 1
    Listening 
    Reading Comprehension 
    09:20 10:00
    11:40
    100
    TOPIK II 1
    Listening
    Writing
    12:20 13:00
    14:50 110
    2 Reading Comprehension 15:10 15:20 16:30 70

    ※ There is only one period for TOPIK I.
    ※ If you are taking the test outside Korea, contact your local TOPIK registration center for the exact test time.

    Test Composition

    Level Period Section Type Number of questions Points distribution Maximum possible score
    TOPIK I 1 Listening  Multiple choice questions  30 100 200
    Reading Comprehension  Multiple choice questions  40 100
    TOPIK II 1 Listening Multiple choice questions  50 100 300
    Writing  Subjective questions 4 100
    2 Reading Compression Multiple choice questions  50 100

    Question Types

  • Multiple choice (M/C) questions (4 choices)
  • Subjective questions (writing section)
  • - Complete-the-sentence questions (short answers): 2 questions
    - Essay: 2 questions (one intermediate-level question requiring a response with about 200 to 300 characters and one advanced-level question requiring a response with about 600 to 700 characters)

    Evaluation Criteria for the Writing Section

    Level Sublevel Evaluation criteria
    TOPIK I 1 The individual is capable of using basic language skills necessary for everyday activities, such as introducing him/herself, shopping, and ordering food, and understanding and expressing him/herself when conversing about him/herself, his/her family or pastimes, the weather, or other casual or familiar topics. The individual knows around 800 basic words and can form simple sentences with an understanding of basic grammar. He/she is also capable of understanding and forming practical sentences and simple sentences used in everyday life.
    2 The individual has the language skills necessary for everyday life, such as calling and asking for a favor, and for using the post office, bank, or public facilities. He/she knows some 1,500 to 2,000 words and can understand and compose paragraphs about a casual or familiar topic. He/she can also distinguish which linguistic form to use in formal and informal situations.
    TOPIK II 3 The individual has no problem doing normal, day-to-day activities and has the basic language skills to use various public facilities and maintain interpersonal relationships. He/she can understand and express him/herself regarding not only familiar and specific topics but also familiar social issues in paragraphs. He/she is also capable of distinguishing the basic features of colloquial language and literary language and can understand and use the two forms of language him/herself.
    4 The individual has the language skills to use various public facilities and maintain interpersonal relationships and apply his/her skills to work situations to a certain extent. He/she can understand the news, news articles, etc. provided in relatively plain language. He/she can understand and express him/herself about a general social issue or abstract concept in a relatively accurate and fluent manner and about social and cultural issues based on frequently used idiomatic expressions and an understanding of Korean culture.
    5 The individual can use the language skills professionally or for research in a specialized field to a certain extent and understand and express him/herself regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, culture, and so on. He/she can appropriately use different forms of language according to the context and situation (e.g. formal/informal and colloquial/literary).
    6 The individual can use the language skills professionally or for research in a specialized field in a relatively accurate and fluent manner and understand and express him/herself regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, culture, and so on. While he/she may not be able to speak as a fluently as a native Korean speaker, he/she has no trouble expressing him/herself as intended. 

    Evaluation Criteria by Level/Sublevel

    Level Sublevel Evaluation criteria
    TOPIK I 1 The individual is capable of using basic language skills necessary for everyday activities, such as introducing him/herself, shopping, and ordering food, and understanding and expressing him/herself when conversing about him/herself, his/her family or pastimes, the weather, or other casual or familiar topics. The individual knows around 800 basic words and can form simple sentences with an understanding of basic grammar. He/she is also capable of understanding and forming practical sentences and simple sentences used in everyday life.
    2 The individual has the language skills necessary for everyday life, such as calling and asking for a favor, and for using the post office, bank, or public facilities. He/she knows some 1,500 to 2,000 words and can understand and compose paragraphs about a casual or familiar topic. He/she can also distinguish which linguistic form to use in formal and informal situations.
    TOPIK II 3 The individual has no problem doing normal, day-to-day activities and has the basic language skills to use various public facilities and maintain interpersonal relationships. He/she can understand and express him/herself regarding not only familiar and specific topics but also familiar social issues in paragraphs. He/she is also capable of distinguishing the basic features of colloquial language and literary language and can understand and use the two forms of language him/herself.
    4 The individual has the language skills to use various public facilities and maintain interpersonal relationships and apply his/her skills to work situations to a certain extent. He/she can understand the news, news articles, etc. provided in relatively plain language. He/she can understand and express him/herself about a general social issue or abstract concept in a relatively accurate and fluent manner and about social and cultural issues based on frequently used idiomatic expressions and an understanding of Korean culture.
    5 The individual can use the language skills professionally or for research in a specialized field to a certain extent and understand and express him/herself regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, culture, and so on. He/she can appropriately use different forms of language according to the context and situation (e.g. formal/informal and colloquial/literary).
    6 The individual can use the language skills professionally or for research in a specialized field in a relatively accurate and fluent manner and understand and express him/herself regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, culture, and so on. While he/she may not be able to speak as a fluently as a native Korean speaker, he/she has no trouble expressing him/herself as intended.