Understand the TOPIK test structure, sections, scoring system, passing scores, and question types for all levels from Level 1 to Level 6.
The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is the official standardized test for measuring Korean language proficiency for non-native speakers. Administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), TOPIK is recognized worldwide for university admissions, employment, and immigration purposes in South Korea.
Unlike many language proficiency tests, TOPIK is divided into two separate tests: TOPIK I for beginners and TOPIK II for intermediate and advanced learners. Your score on either test determines which level you are awarded. TOPIK I covers Levels 1 and 2, while TOPIK II covers Levels 3 through 6. One key feature that sets TOPIK apart is that TOPIK II includes a writing section, requiring test-takers to produce written Korean, not just recognize it.
TOPIK certificates are valid for 2 years from the results announcement date. Whether you are studying Korean for travel, work, or academic purposes, understanding the test format is essential for effective preparation. This guide covers everything you need to know about the structure, scoring, and strategies for both TOPIK I and TOPIK II.
TOPIK I is designed for beginner learners of Korean. It evaluates your ability to carry out basic daily conversations, understand simple written Korean, and comprehend slow, clearly spoken audio. The test has two sections and lasts a total of 100 minutes.
TOPIK I is entirely multiple choice. There is no writing or speaking component. All questions have four answer options. Your combined score determines whether you achieve Level 1 or Level 2 (or no level if you score below 80 points).
| Section | Time | Questions | Max Score | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 min | 30 | 100 pts | Daily conversations, announcements, short dialogues |
| Reading | 60 min | 40 | 100 pts | Signs, notices, short passages, fill-in-the-blank, comprehension |
Total time: 100 minutes | Total score: 200 points | Format: All multiple choice (4 options per question)
TOPIK I Listening tests your ability to understand basic Korean audio, including greetings, simple questions, short conversations about daily life topics like shopping, weather, and directions. Audio is spoken at a natural but relatively slow pace. Topics include self-introduction, ordering food, asking for directions, and describing daily routines.
TOPIK I Reading evaluates your ability to read Hangul fluently, understand simple sentences, recognize common vocabulary in context, read short notices and advertisements, and comprehend short paragraphs about familiar topics. You need to know approximately 800 to 2,000 vocabulary words to perform well. For vocabulary preparation, see our TOPIK vocabulary lists.
TOPIK II is the intermediate and advanced test, covering Levels 3 through 6. It is significantly more challenging than TOPIK I and includes three sections: Listening, Writing, and Reading. The total test time is 180 minutes. The inclusion of a Writing section is a major differentiator — you must produce written Korean, not just select from multiple choice options.
TOPIK II is administered in two sessions. The first session covers Listening and Writing (110 minutes combined), followed by a short break, then the second session covers Reading (70 minutes). Your total score across all three sections determines which level (3, 4, 5, or 6) you achieve.
| Section | Session | Time | Questions/Tasks | Max Score | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 1st | 60 min | 50 questions | 100 pts | Conversations, lectures, news, discussions |
| Writing | 1st | 50 min | 4 tasks | 100 pts | Sentence completion, paragraph writing, essay |
| Reading | 2nd | 70 min | 50 questions | 100 pts | Articles, essays, academic texts, advertisements |
Total time: 180 minutes | Total score: 300 points | Sessions: Session 1 (Listening + Writing) then break, then Session 2 (Reading)
The Writing section is unique to TOPIK II and is often the most challenging part of the exam for many test-takers. Unlike the Listening and Reading sections which are multiple choice, the Writing section requires you to produce written Korean. It is worth 100 points and consists of 4 tasks to be completed in 50 minutes.
| Task | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks 51-52 | Sentence Completion | Fill in the blanks to complete sentences within a short passage. Tests grammar and vocabulary in context. |
| Task 53 | Short Paragraph | Write a 200-300 character paragraph based on given data, such as describing a chart, graph, or survey results. |
| Task 54 | Essay | Write a 600-700 character essay on a given topic. Must present an argument, provide supporting reasons, and conclude logically. |
The Writing section is graded by human evaluators using a rubric that considers content relevance, logical structure, vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, and appropriate use of formal written Korean (격식체). Scores are not determined by machine grading. For detailed preparation strategies, grammar patterns, and sample essays, visit our TOPIK Writing Guide.
TOPIK uses a straightforward point-based scoring system. Each section is scored out of 100 points. Your total score across all sections determines which level you are awarded. There are no section minimums — only your total score matters for level determination.
TOPIK I has a maximum total of 200 points (Listening 100 + Reading 100). TOPIK II has a maximum total of 300 points (Listening 100 + Writing 100 + Reading 100). You do not pass or fail in the traditional sense — instead, your score places you at a specific level, or no level if you fall below the minimum threshold.
The following table shows the minimum total score required to achieve each TOPIK level. Remember, you register for either TOPIK I or TOPIK II, and your score determines your level within that test.
| Level | Test | Min Score | Max Score | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | TOPIK I | 80+ | 200 | 40% | Basic self-introduction, shopping, ordering food |
| Level 2 | TOPIK I | 140+ | 200 | 70% | Daily conversations, using public facilities |
| Level 3 | TOPIK II | 120+ | 300 | 40% | Everyday life, social relationships, basic paragraphs |
| Level 4 | TOPIK II | 150+ | 300 | 50% | News, social issues, some professional Korean |
| Level 5 | TOPIK II | 190+ | 300 | 63% | Professional fields, academic research, complex reasoning |
| Level 6 | TOPIK II | 230+ | 300 | 77% | Near-native fluency, politics, economics, academic discourse |
If your TOPIK I score is below 80 or your TOPIK II score is below 120, you do not receive any level certification. Certificates are valid for 2 years from the results announcement date.
The Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken Korean in various situations. Audio is played once only — there are no replays. Questions progress from easier to harder within each test.
TOPIK I: 30 questions in 40 minutes | TOPIK II: 50 questions in 60 minutes
The Reading section evaluates your ability to understand written Korean texts of varying lengths and complexity. Questions are all multiple choice with four options.
TOPIK I: 40 questions in 60 minutes | TOPIK II: 50 questions in 70 minutes
The Writing section is exclusive to TOPIK II and requires producing original written Korean. It is graded by human evaluators and tests your ability to write grammatically correct, well-organized Korean.
4 tasks in 50 minutes | 100 points total | Human-graded using a standardized rubric
For detailed writing strategies, grammar patterns, and sample essays, see our comprehensive TOPIK Writing Guide.
Can perform basic survival tasks such as self-introduction (자기소개), greeting, shopping, and ordering food. Understands approximately 800 basic vocabulary words and fundamental grammar patterns. Can create simple sentences about personal and familiar topics. Equivalent to about 200 hours of Korean study.
Can handle everyday situations such as making phone calls, asking for favors, and using public facilities like banks and post offices. Understands approximately 1,500-2,000 vocabulary words. Can distinguish between formal (격식체) and informal (비격식체) speech styles. Ready for basic communication in a Korean-speaking environment.
Can carry out daily routines without major difficulty and maintain social relationships. Understands approximately 3,000 vocabulary words. Can write basic paragraphs and understand simple news articles. Can distinguish between written and spoken language. This is often the minimum level required for Korean language programs at Korean universities.
Can discuss social and abstract topics, understand news and editorials, and handle most professional situations. Understands approximately 5,000 vocabulary words. Can use Korean idioms (관용어) and common four-character expressions. Often required for undergraduate university enrollment in Korea and for certain visa types.
Can use Korean fluently in professional and academic settings. Understands approximately 8,000 vocabulary words including specialized terminology. Can comprehend and discuss complex topics such as politics (정치), economics (경제), society (사회), and culture (문화). Required for many professional positions and graduate programs in Korea.
Can express opinions fluently and precisely on any topic, including unfamiliar subjects. Understands approximately 10,000+ vocabulary words. Functions at a near-native level in all situations including academic research, legal contexts, and formal debate. Can fully understand Korean literature, academic papers, and specialized professional discourse.
Knowing the test format is only half the battle — you also need a strategy for managing your time and energy on test day. Here are proven approaches for each section.
For more writing strategies, practice prompts, and sample answers, visit our TOPIK Writing Guide.
For detailed study strategies by level, check our level-specific study guides: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5-6. Check TOPIK test dates to plan your preparation timeline.
TOPIK I is the beginner test covering Levels 1 and 2. It has two sections: Listening (40 minutes, 30 questions) and Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions), totaling 100 minutes. TOPIK II is the intermediate/advanced test covering Levels 3 through 6. It has three sections: Listening (60 minutes, 50 questions), Writing (50 minutes, 4 tasks), and Reading (70 minutes, 50 questions), totaling 180 minutes.
Yes. TOPIK II includes a Writing section worth 100 points. It consists of 4 tasks: two fill-in-the-blank sentence completion questions, one short paragraph writing task (200-300 characters), and one essay writing task (600-700 characters). TOPIK I does not have a writing section.
TOPIK I has a maximum score of 200 points (Listening 100 + Reading 100). TOPIK II has a maximum score of 300 points (Listening 100 + Writing 100 + Reading 100). Your total score determines which level you achieve, based on fixed cutoff thresholds.
For TOPIK I: Level 1 requires 80+ points out of 200, and Level 2 requires 140+ points out of 200. For TOPIK II: Level 3 requires 120+ out of 300, Level 4 requires 150+ out of 300, Level 5 requires 190+ out of 300, and Level 6 requires 230+ out of 300.
TOPIK I is 100 minutes total: 40 minutes for Listening and 60 minutes for Reading. TOPIK II is 180 minutes total: 60 minutes for Listening, 50 minutes for Writing, and 70 minutes for Reading. There is a break between the first session (Listening + Writing) and the second session (Reading) in TOPIK II.
A TOPIK certificate is valid for 2 years from the date the results are announced. After expiration, you must retake the test to maintain your certified level.
You choose between TOPIK I (beginner) or TOPIK II (intermediate/advanced). You do not choose a specific level. Your score on the test determines which level (1-2 for TOPIK I, 3-6 for TOPIK II) you are awarded. If your score falls below the minimum cutoff, you do not receive any level certification for that test.
You should bring your admission ticket, a valid photo ID, and a correction tape (for the writing section on TOPIK II). Pencils and an eraser are typically provided at the test center. Dictionaries, electronic devices, and reference materials are strictly prohibited.
TOPIK I is entirely multiple choice (Listening and Reading). TOPIK II has multiple choice for Listening and Reading, but the Writing section requires written responses including sentence completion, short paragraph writing, and essay writing.
TOPIK is administered in South Korea and in over 80 countries worldwide. In Korea, the test is held six times per year. Overseas test schedules vary by country, typically offered two to four times per year. Check the official TOPIK website or your local Korean embassy for specific dates and locations.