TOPIK Guide
What is TOPIK?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean proficiency test for overseas Koreans and foreigners whose first language is not Korean. It guides Korean learning and helps spread the Korean language.
- Organizer
- Ministry of Education, NIIED
- Who can take it
- Overseas Koreans · foreigners whose first language isn't Korean (in Korea or abroad)
- Main uses
- University/grad admission · graduation, work visa, permanent residency · naturalization, government scholarships, etc.
Exam Types
TOPIK I
- Levels
- Level 1 ~ 2
- Sections
- Listening · Reading
- Questions
- 70 questions
- Duration
- 100 min
University admission, basic employment
TOPIK II
- Levels
- Level 3 ~ 6
- Sections
- Listening · Reading · Writing
- Questions
- 104 questions
- Duration
- 180 min
Grad school, professional jobs
EPS-TOPIK
- Levels
- Pass / Fail
- Sections
- Listening · Reading
- Questions
- 40 questions
- Duration
- 70 min
Employment Permit work visa (E-9)
Test Format (PBT / IBT)
PBT
Used on this sitePaper-Based Test
A paper booklet with an OMR answer sheet, held several times a year. The mock tests and past papers on this site follow the PBT format.
IBT
Internet-Based Test
Taken on a computer (introduced in 2023 and expanding). Fewer questions but higher per-item scores; writing is typed on a keyboard and results come out faster. (See the official site for details.)
Section Breakdown(PBT)
TOPIK I
100 min · 1 period| Listening | 30 q | 100 pts |
| Reading | 40 q | 100 pts |
TOPIK II
180 min · 2 periods| Listening | 50 q | 100 pts |
| Writing | 4 q | 100 pts |
| Reading | 50 q | 100 pts |
Proficiency by Level
- Level 1TOPIK I
Can perform basic survival functions such as introducing yourself, shopping, and ordering food, and can understand and express personal, familiar topics like family, hobbies, and weather.
- Level 2TOPIK I
Can handle everyday functions like making calls and asking favors, use public facilities such as post offices and banks, and distinguish formal and informal contexts.
- Level 3TOPIK II
Can manage daily life without difficulty, use public facilities and maintain social relationships, understand and express familiar social topics in paragraphs, and tell written from spoken language.
- Level 4TOPIK II
Can perform some general work functions, understand straightforward news and articles, and grasp abstract topics, common idioms, and key aspects of Korean culture.
- Level 5TOPIK II
Can perform functions for research or work in specialized fields to some degree, and understand and use unfamiliar topics across politics, economy, society, and culture appropriately by context.
- Level 6TOPIK II
Can perform research and professional work relatively accurately and fluently; not quite at native level, but has no difficulty with function or meaning.
Passing Scores
TOPIK I
Max 200 ptsTOPIK II
Max 300 ptsEPS-TOPIK
Max 200 pts (Reading+Listening)Minimum scores per section (reading/listening) may apply separately. Always check the official HRD Korea notice for each country.
Score validity
TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the result date. EPS-TOPIK follows separate rules, such as the Employment Permit roster period.
Main uses
- Admission/graduation requirements for universities and grad schools
- Work visa (E series) and Employment Permit (E-9) applications
- Permanent residency (F-5) requirements (some types)
- Naturalization (citizenship) requirements
- Government scholarship applications
- Preference in public/private sector hiring
Useful Links
Official TOPIK site
Registration, exam info, results
topik.go.kr
HRD Korea EPS
EPS-TOPIK registration and Employment Permit info
eps.hrdkorea.or.kr
Practice on TOPIK-Q
Take mock tests and past papers
Practice tests
Source: NIIED TOPIK (topik.go.kr)
· Check the official site for the latest info