TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$40-$55
Provider
NIIED
Validity
2 years
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
Varies, check official requirements
Specific Requirements
- Eligibility is restricted. The test is for non-Koreans and overseas Koreans whose native language is not Korean, as stated by the Korean Education Centre in the UK.
- There are no academic prerequisites, no prior certificate requirement, and no published minimum age.
- You choose a paper rather than a grade. TOPIK I can only award grades 1 and 2; grades 3 to 6 require TOPIK II.
- You must apply within your region's registration window. Domestic Korean windows run about seven days; overseas windows are set separately by each administering body and can be months earlier.
- You need original photo identification showing your name, photograph, and date of birth, with the name matching the one you registered under.
- In several regions you must print your own admission slip and receipt and bring them to the centre.
- Fees are set per country. NIIED publishes the Korean domestic fees, 40,000 KRW for TOPIK I and 55,000 KRW for TOPIK II on paper, 70,000 and 95,000 KRW for the internet-based test; the Korean Education Centre in the UK charges £55 and £65; Hong Kong charges HK$500 and HK$600.
- Special exam arrangements require an application submitted alongside the online form, with supporting evidence such as a disability certification or a doctor's written diagnosis issued within the past two years, and approval rests with the TOPIK head office.
Number of Questions
TOPIK I: 70 questions (30 Listening, 40 Reading). TOPIK II: 104 questions (50 Listening, 4 Writing, 50 Reading).
Duration
TOPIK I: 100 minutes in one period (Listening 40 minutes, Reading 60 minutes). TOPIK II: 180 minutes across two periods (period 1 is Listening 60 minutes then Writing 50 minutes; period 2 is Reading 70 minutes).
Question Format
Multiple choice for all Listening and Reading items in both papers, Short-answer constructed response for the four Writing items, which appear only in TOPIK II
Passing Requirement
TOPIK I: 80 or above for grade 1, 140 or above for grade 2, out of 200. TOPIK II: 120 or above for grade 3, 150 or above for grade 4, 190 or above for grade 5, 230 or above for grade 6, out of 300. There is no pass mark below grade 1 or grade 3 respectively; a total under the lowest threshold means no grade is issued.
How It Is Delivered
Paper-based at authorised centres in Korea and overseas, plus an internet-based version (TOPIK IBT) with its own schedule. A separate TOPIK Speaking assessment runs on its own dates and is not part of TOPIK I or TOPIK II.
Languages Offered
Korean. All questions, instructions on the paper, and answers are in Korean.
Rules specific to this exam
- Levels: TOPIK I covers grades 1 and 2. TOPIK II covers grades 3 to 6. You register for a paper, not for a grade.
Visit the official NIIED certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
Each section is marked out of 100 points. TOPIK I totals 200 points across Listening and Reading; TOPIK II totals 300 points across Listening, Writing, and Reading. Grades run 1 to 6, with TOPIK I awarding grades 1 and 2 and TOPIK II awarding grades 3 to 6.
Score You Need
TOPIK I: 80 or above for grade 1, 140 or above for grade 2, out of 200. TOPIK II: 120 or above for grade 3, 150 or above for grade 4, 190 or above for grade 5, 230 or above for grade 6, out of 300. There is no pass mark below grade 1 or grade 3 respectively; a total under the lowest threshold means no grade is issued.
How It Is Calculated
Grading is compensatory and based on the total score, not on section minimums, so strength in Listening and Reading can carry a weak Writing paper. Listening and Reading items are machine-marked multiple choice; the four TOPIK II Writing items are constructed responses marked by human raters against published criteria. NIIED does not publish a raw-to-scaled conversion, because each section is already reported out of 100 points, and nothing in the published structure indicates a penalty for incorrect answers.
When You Get Results
NIIED publishes the exact release date and time alongside each administration in the annual schedule, typically 15:00 Korean time. Paper-based result gaps in the 2026 schedule run from 32 to 53 days, so five to eight weeks: the 107th round on 5 July 2026 released on 13 August 2026, while the 108th round on 18 October 2026 releases on 10 December 2026. Internet-based results take about three weeks: the 14th IBT on 12 September 2026 releases on 2 October 2026. Results and certificates can be retrieved from the official site only within the two-year validity period.
In raw terms: Raw section marks are the reported marks: each section is worth 100 points, so no conversion table is needed or published. What NIIED does publish is the grade boundary on the total, which is the number that actually decides your certificate.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test)?
Eligibility is restricted. The test is for non-Koreans and overseas Koreans whose native language is not Korean, as stated by the Korean Education Centre in the UK.. There are no academic prerequisites, no prior certificate requirement, and no published minimum age.. You choose a paper rather than a grade. TOPIK I can only award grades 1 and 2; grades 3 to 6 require TOPIK II.. You must apply within your region's registration window. Domestic Korean windows run about seven days; overseas windows are set separately by each administering body and can be months earlier.. You need original photo identification showing your name, photograph, and date of birth, with the name matching the one you registered under.. In several regions you must print your own admission slip and receipt and bring them to the centre.. Fees are set per country. NIIED publishes the Korean domestic fees, 40,000 KRW for TOPIK I and 55,000 KRW for TOPIK II on paper, 70,000 and 95,000 KRW for the internet-based test; the Korean Education Centre in the UK charges £55 and £65; Hong Kong charges HK$500 and HK$600.. Special exam arrangements require an application submitted alongside the online form, with supporting evidence such as a disability certification or a doctor's written diagnosis issued within the past two years, and approval rests with the TOPIK head office..
How much does the TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test) cost?
The TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test) exam costs $40-$55. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test)?
Visit the official NIIED certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the TOPIK (Korean Proficiency Test)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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