TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Guide

What TOPIK is and who runs it

TOPIK — the Test of Proficiency in Korean — is the official standardized test that measures Korean-language ability for non-native speakers. It is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Education.

Students use TOPIK for several purposes: admission to Korean-taught degree programs, scholarship criteria (for example, a high level can exempt the Global Korea Scholarship language year), some employment, and certain visa or integration programs. The precise use depends on the institution — verify what a specific program needs.

TOPIK is held on fixed dates at test centres in Korea and in many countries abroad. The number of sittings and available centres varies by location, so check the official schedule for your region.

TOPIK I and TOPIK II — the six levels

TOPIK is a single grading scale of six levels, delivered through two test papers. TOPIK I awards Level 1 or Level 2 (beginner). TOPIK II awards Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 (intermediate to advanced).

You do not choose your level directly — you register for TOPIK I or TOPIK II, sit the paper, and the level you receive depends on your total score. The score bands that define each level are set officially, so treat any thresholds you see as subject to confirmation on the official site.

As a rough sense of the scale: lower levels reflect basic everyday Korean, while the higher levels reflect the ability to follow academic and professional content.

• TOPIK I → Levels 1-2 (beginner)
• TOPIK II → Levels 3-6 (intermediate to advanced)
• Level is assigned by total score, not chosen
• Exact score cutoffs are set officially — verify

Test sections and formats (IBT vs PBT)

The sections differ by paper. TOPIK I tests Listening and Reading. TOPIK II tests Listening, Writing, and Reading — the Writing section includes an essay, which is the part most students underestimate.

TOPIK is offered in two formats: the Paper-Based Test (PBT), taken with printed booklets and answer sheets at a centre, and the Internet-Based Test (IBT), taken on a computer at an authorised centre. The standard being measured is the same; IBT typically returns results faster and lets you type the writing section.

Which format and dates are available depends on your country, so confirm IBT/PBT availability, centres, and the schedule on the official website.

Who needs TOPIK, and at what level

For Korean-taught undergraduate programs, universities commonly ask for roughly TOPIK Level 3-4 to enter, and often a higher level to graduate. Graduate programs vary. However, each university sets its own requirement, so treat these as general guidance and confirm the level for your specific program.

English-taught programs frequently do not require TOPIK at all — they rely on an English test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) or proof that prior study was in English. Do not assume every Korean university needs TOPIK.

For the Global Korea Scholarship, a sufficiently high TOPIK level can exempt the required language year — the exemption level is set officially, so verify it.

How to register and prepare

Registration is done online through the official TOPIK system for your region, where you pick the paper (TOPIK I or II), the format (PBT or IBT), a test centre, and a date, then pay the fee. Fees and dates vary by country and change over time — verify them on the official site.

To prepare, work through official past papers and the published assessment framework, and practise the TOPIK II essay under timed conditions if you are aiming for Level 3 and above.

Results and certificates are issued officially and carry a validity period. Confirm the current validity rule before using a certificate for an application, since programs may require a recent result.