TOPIK exam guide: levels, sections, scores, test dates and how to prepare

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TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language exam, run by Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED). If you need to prove your Korean for a university, a job or a visa, this is the test people will ask for.

TOPIK I and TOPIK II

There are two separate tests, and you choose one:

TOPIK I (beginner): levels 1 and 2. Two sections, listening and reading, each scored out of 100, for 200 points in total.
TOPIK II (intermediate and advanced): levels 3 to 6. Three sections, listening, writing and reading, each out of 100, for 300 points.

You do not pick a level. You take TOPIK I or TOPIK II and your total score decides the level you are awarded.

Scores and levels

TOPIK I: 80 points or more is level 1; 140 or more is level 2.
TOPIK II: 120 is level 3, 150 level 4, 190 level 5 and 230 level 6.

Your level comes from the total, not from each section separately. Score below the lowest mark and you receive no level.

What each section looks like

Listening: multiple choice; short conversations at the start, then announcements, interviews and lectures in TOPIK II.
Reading: multiple choice, from signs and short notices up to editorials and academic passages.
Writing (TOPIK II only): two short fill-the-gap questions, a paragraph describing a chart or data, and an essay of several hundred characters on a social topic. This is where many intermediate learners lose points, because it needs formal written style.

Paper test, internet test and speaking

PBT: the traditional paper-based test, held in Korea and in many countries.
IBT: the internet-based TOPIK, taken on a computer at a test centre. It has been expanding each year to more countries. Its questions are adapted for screen and keyboard, so practise typing Korean if you choose it.
TOPIK Speaking: a separate speaking test, so far held in Korea only.

Test dates in 2026

TOPIK is held several times a year. For 2026, NIIED scheduled six paper-based tests, six internet-based tests and three speaking tests. Not every session is held outside Korea, and overseas registration usually closes much earlier than you would expect, often more than a month before the test. Check topik.go.kr (the official site) and your local test centre for dates, fees and registration windows.

How long scores last

A TOPIK score is valid for two years from the date the results are announced. After that you cannot print a certificate for it, so if you need the score for an application, plan the timing.

Why people take it

Universities: Korean universities usually ask international students for a TOPIK level for admission or graduation, often level 3 or 4 for Korean-taught degrees. Government scholarships such as GKS also reward TOPIK scores.
Visas and immigration: TOPIK scores count in some visa categories and points-based routes, and can replace parts of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program. The required level depends on the visa, so check with the immigration office or HiKorea.
Jobs: Korean companies and Korean firms abroad use it as a benchmark.
Personal goals: a clear target keeps self-study on track.

How to prepare

Take a past paper first. NIIED publishes past exams on topik.go.kr for free. Do one under timed conditions to find your level.
Pick the right test. If you are around level 2, TOPIK I gives a real certificate; a low TOPIK II score gives none.
Learn the question types. The same formats come back every year, so practise them until they are routine.
For writing, learn the formal -다 style, memorise useful connecting phrases and practise the chart question, which follows a fixed pattern.
For listening, listen to Korean news and podcasts at normal speed, not just textbook audio.
Vocabulary: TOPIK word lists organised by level are widely available. Learn words in sentences.
Time yourself. Many people run out of time on reading. Answer what you can, then come back.

On the day

Bring your ID and admission ticket, arrive early, and follow the centre's rules on watches and phones. Results come out several weeks later on the official site. Dates, fees and IBT locations change each year, so always confirm on topik.go.kr. Taking TOPIK soon? Ask your questions or share your study plan in the comments.