What is TOPIK?

TOPIK, the abbreviation of Test Of Proficiency in Korean, is a written test designed to evaluate the Korean language proficiency of non-native speakers. This test measures the sufficiency in the understanding of reading, writing and listening in the Korean language  

TOPIK has three different levels, namely Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced . Moreover every level has two grades.

Benefits of TOPIK

The main reason why people take the TOPIK is for them to get an official record of their proficiency in Korean. Many do it to evaluate their future career prospects, or to get better educational opportunities in Korea. The South Korean government provides scholarship opportunities to deserving international students to study in Korea. It has been seen that students who have up to TOPIK level 3 have a better chance in getting the scholarship and have an edge over the students. Students who are willing to apply for scholarships for masters and PhD are required to attain TOPIK level 4 by some Korean universities. Nevertheless attaining a level in TOPIK would make your selection much easier. For such scholarships, TOPIK Certification is a prerequisite. 

Also, it is also vital if you’re planning to attain permanent residency or a marriage visa in Korea.

In short, this Certification confirms your proficiency in Korean language which can be used for various purposes apart from studies also. 

TOPIK exam structure for different levels.

There are two exams in TOPIK - TOPIK I and TOPIK II.

TOPIK I consists of Level 1 and level 2 and TOPIK II consists of Level 3,4,5 and 6.

The test consists of mostly multiple-choice questions; however, the TOPIK II also has a writing examination which will require you to write a paragraph and an essay.

TOPIK I exam is conducted in a single session of 100 minutes and has two sections - listening and writing and consists of multiple-choice questions.

 Listening section of TOPIK exam has 30 questions) and is 40 minutes long and the reading paper of TOPIK I has 40 questions and is 60 minutes long. 

Both examination areas are worth a score of 100 with a combining score of 200.

TOPIK II is conducted in two sessions with a short break in between and has 3 papers - Listening, Reading and Writing.

The first sessions is the listening examination (60 minutes long with 50 questions) and writing (50 minutes long with 4 short-answer questions). The second slot is for the reading examination (70 minutes long with 50 questions).

All three examinations of TOPIK II are worth a score of 100 with a combining score of 300. 

Different levels have different passing requirements. The below table shows the current pass grade and evaluation criteria broken down by section.

How to apply for TOPIK exams in India ?

In India, the TOPIK test is conducted by KCCI (Korean Cultural Centre, India) and the test is conducted twice a year usually but this year it will conducted only once in October 2023.

The registrations for the TOPIK exam start usually start 2-4 months before the test date. 

The registrations are done online and you can find the details of registration process HERE.

Registration process of TOPIK in India is completely online but the exam is conducted in offline mode only.

Registration fee for TOPIK I test is Rs. 1000 and for TOPIK II it’s Rs. 1300.

If you are studying Korean at some university or institution, generally your Korean language department also helps you with registration.

Fees of the Examination

TOPIK exam fees in India is ₹ 1000 for TOPIK 1 and ₹ 1,300 for TOPIK 2. 

When is the TOPIK test conducted in India?

It will be conducted on 15th October 2023.

TOPIK I takes place in the morning and TOPIK II is held in the afternoon.

TOPIK Centres in India

The centers for the TOPIK Exam in India are held in 5  locations, namely Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jharkhand, and Manipur. But depending on situation, some centers can be removed and some new centers can be added.

One very important question still left unanswered is if you should apply for TOPIK or not? Or in other words, who should apply for the TOPIK test ?

Well the answer is simple , if you’ve robust plans to study or work in Korea, then TOPIK certificate is a must. While it’s true that not every Korean university demands a TOPIK certificate at the time of admission from the foreign students but having a TOPIK  score would benefit you for getting a Korean scholarship. Similar is the case in Korean workplaces. However, having a proficiency certificate will only add more value to your resume and increase the chance of selection. 

But if you’re just a casual learner of the Korean language, then this test will not benefit you much. Just focus on your happy learning. 

Follow our Seoul National University Lesson study.

Is self-study sufficient to pass the TOPIK Test?

Self-study is definitely required if you want to clear this test. But oftentimes, self-study can prove to be not so effective.

This is because self-study has its limitations such as:

• You don't have proper guidance to check if you are speaking or writing correctly in Korean.
• You don't have enough material suited to your level to do listening practice.
• You may get confused about the usage of words in particular sentences.
• You may not be able to do speaking practice 

If you are serious about studying Korean then we have a present for you.

Our online course is developed by people who are top level experts in Korean language. Along with guiding the students related to scholarships or future job prospects in Korea we provide this course you can kick-start your language learning journey in order to achieve your dreams.

Click on the link given below to know more about our course. 

Certificate Course in Korean - Level 1 & Level 2

FAQs

1.    What is the validity of TOPIK Certification?

TOPIK certificate is valid for 2 years from the time of test result announcement date. 

2.   Can I give the TOPIK exam outside India ?

Yes you can register and give your TOPIK exam anywhere in the world. Check for the required documents HERE.

3.   Is there any special eligibility criteria for the exam?

No. Anyone who is studying Korean Language (at an institution or by self-study) can appear in the exam. There is no age limit. 

4.   Is there any Sample Paper to understand and practice the New TOPIK Format? 

Yes, you can download the Previous and Sample Test Paper with answer keys HERE.

You can also practice by taking an online Mock Test from TOPIK GUIE site and check your scores HERE. 

For more information and tips for TOPIK exams,  check out ~ www.topikguide.com

Author : Smriti Ekka & Sanjana Singh