TOPIK

The Korean proficiency test — levels, calendar and strategy

TOPIK levels, test structure, the 2026 calendar, question types and scoring strategy. Not required for GKS — but it's the single document that raises your score most concretely.

Levels

TOPIK I & II — levels and scores

Total score determines the level; there is no section cutoff. Certificates are valid for 2 years.

TOPIK I · Beginner · 200 pts

Level	Total score
Level 1	80–139
Level 2	140–200

Structure: Listening 30 (40 min) + Reading 40 (60 min), multiple choice.

TOPIK II · Inter–Advanced · 300 pts

Level	Total score
Level 3	120–149
Level 4	150–189
Level 5	190–229
Level 6	230–300

Structure: Listening 50 + Writing 4 (110 min), Reading 50 (70 min). Writing is productive.

Level Guide

What each level really means

1A1

BeginnerBasic greetings, simple daily needs (~800 words).

2A2

ElementarySimple communication on daily topics, shopping/appointments.

3B1

Intermediate · GKS degree gateFluent on familiar topics. Minimum to start the degree.

4B2

Upper-intermediateNews comprehension, joining discussions, structured writing.

5C1

Advanced · exempts language yearAcademic/professional fluency. Exemption + bonus grant + points.

6C2

MasteryNear-native; abstract and specialized language.

Why it matters for GKS

Not required to apply, but Level 3+ earns up to +10%
You need at least Level 3 to start the degree
Level 5–6: exempts the language year + bonus grant

Study resources

Official past papers: topik.go.kr
Books: Sejong Korean (free), SNU/Yonsei/Ewha Korean
Digital: TTMIK, How To Study Korean, Anki (vocab)
Practice essay templates/connectors for TOPIK II Writing

2026 Exam Calendar

TOPIK 2026: rounds, dates and results

Korea holds 6 paper rounds a year, but no country hosts them all. Abroad the exam is usually on Saturday.

PBT — Paper-based

Round	Korea date	Overseas	Results	Scope
104	11 Jan 2026	—	12 Feb	Korea only
105	12 Apr 2026	11 Apr (Sat)	29 May	Korea + overseas
106	17 May 2026	17 May	25 Jun	Limited overseas
107	5 Jul 2026	4 Jul (Sat)	13 Aug	Korea + overseas
108	18 Oct 2026	17 Oct (Sat)	10 Dec	Korea + overseas
109	15 Nov 2026	15 Nov	22 Dec	Korea + overseas

IBT — Internet-based (6 rounds)

Round	Exam	Scope
11	28 Feb	Korea only
12	21 Mar	+ overseas
13	13 Jun	+ overseas
14	12 Sep	+ overseas
15	24 Oct	+ overseas
16	28 Nov	+ overseas

IBT runs in about 15 countries. Not available in Türkiye.

Speaking test (3 rounds)

Round	Exam	Results
10	21 Mar	13 Apr
11	13 Jun	6 Jul
12	24 Oct	16 Nov

!In 2026 the speaking test runs only in Korea and is a separate exam — not required for GKS.

!Most critical warning: overseas registration closes earlier than Korea's. Start watching your local centre 4 months ahead.

Strategy

Scoring, timing and common mistakes

A rule the internet gets wrong: writing register

Many English guides say -ㅂ/습니다 is fine in Q53–54. NIIED's own official writing-guidance document says the opposite: avoid both -ㅂ/습니다 and -아/어요 there; use the written form -(느)ㄴ다. E.g. 증가했다 ✓ / 증가했습니다 ✗. And in Q54 use 나는, not 저는.

Level cutoffs (no section minimum)

Level	Exam	Min. score
1급	TOPIK I	80 / 200
2급	TOPIK I	140 / 200
3급	TOPIK II	120 / 300
4급	TOPIK II	150 / 300
5급	TOPIK II	190 / 300
6급	TOPIK II	230 / 300

Common mistakes

Reading early questions too slowly — you run out of time
Translating word-by-word in your head
Camping on one hard question (no negative marking — never leave blanks)
Missing the negative stem (맞지 않는 것 = does NOT match)
Not covering every element the writing prompt lists
Missing the character count — target ~250 (Q53), ~650 (Q54)

Past Papers

Official past papers — free and legal

NIIED publishes complete sets for selected rounds. This is the most reliable practice material.

Where to download

Official portal: topik.go.kr → 기출문제 (Study TOPIK → Learning Archive)
Your local Korean Education Centre sites mirror the same files
Free courses: Nuri Sejong Hakdang

Available rounds (post-2014 format)

35 · 36 · 37 · 41 · 47 · 52 · 60 · 64 · 83 · 91 · 96 · 102

NIIED doesn't release every round — roughly one per year
Release lag is ~1–1.5 years
Pre-2014 rounds use the old format — don't study from them

By Country

When is TOPIK in your country?

Pick your country — how many sittings, which rounds, where and how to register.

!Most critical warning: overseas registration closes earlier than Korea's. Start watching your local centre 4 months ahead.

Practice

Test yourself — sample questions

Original samples built to the real exam structure. Click an answer to see if you're right.

TOPIK I · Reading

가: 이것은 얼마예요? / 나: ______

Choose the most natural response.

A 삼천 원이에요.

B 저는 학생이에요.

C 네, 좋아해요.

TOPIK II · Reading

다음 중 밑줄 친 부분과 의미가 비슷한 것을 고르십시오: "이 일은 반드시 해야 합니다."

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined part.

A 아마

B 꼭

C 가끔

TOPIK II · Grammar

빈칸에 알맞은 것을 고르십시오: "비가 ______ 우산을 가져가세요."

Fill in the blank.

A 오면서

B 올 테니까

C 와도

Full mock exams in membership

Timed full TOPIK I and II mocks, automatic scoring and level estimate, expert feedback on the writing section (Q53 & 54), and weak-area analysis.

See lesson plans