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Korean Language Test: TOPIK Levels and Dates
By Language Lab editorial team
The Korean language test explained: TOPIK I and II, the six levels and their score bands, test times, fees in Korea, validity and the next test dates.
The official Korean language test is TOPIK, the Test of Proficiency in Korean, run by the National Institute for International Education under Korea's Ministry of Education. There are two tests and six levels. TOPIK I covers levels 1 and 2: a total of 80 to 139 gives level 1 and 140 to 200 gives level 2. TOPIK II covers levels 3 to 6: 120 to 149 is level 3, 150 to 189 level 4, 190 to 229 level 5 and 230 to 300 level 6. A score is valid for two years from the announcement of the result. The remaining 2026 sessions are closed for registration; the next paper test, the 110th, is on 10 January 2027, with registration in Korea from 8 to 14 December 2026.
Two tests, six levels
You do not register for a level. You choose TOPIK I or TOPIK II, and the level you are awarded depends on your total score.
| Test | Level | Total score needed |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | 1 | 80 to 139 |
| TOPIK I | 2 | 140 to 200 |
| TOPIK II | 3 | 120 to 149 |
| TOPIK II | 4 | 150 to 189 |
| TOPIK II | 5 | 190 to 229 |
| TOPIK II | 6 | 230 to 300 |
The organisers note that, by the standards used before the 35th test, TOPIK I corresponds to the beginner level and TOPIK II to the intermediate and advanced levels.
What is in each test
| Paper-based (PBT) | Internet-based (IBT) | |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | Listening and reading in one period of 100 minutes | Listening 30 minutes and reading 40 minutes: 70 minutes |
| TOPIK II | Listening and writing, 110 minutes; then reading, 70 minutes | Listening 35, reading 40 and writing 50 minutes: 125 minutes |
| How it is taken | On paper at a test centre | On a PC or tablet in a test room, with no break |
| Fee in Korea | TOPIK I KRW 40,000; TOPIK II KRW 55,000 | TOPIK I 70,000 won; TOPIK II 95,000 won |
The organisers describe the internet-based test as having the same effectiveness and rating system as the paper-based one. Fees and test times outside Korea are set locally, so ask your registration centre.
TOPIK Speaking
Speaking is a separate test. TOPIK Speaking has six questions, from answering a simple question to expressing an opinion on a given topic, each with a short preparation time and a response time of between 30 and 80 seconds. In the example timetable the test itself runs for 30 minutes. Its result is also valid for two years.
Test dates
In 2026 there were six paper-based sessions, six internet-based sessions and three speaking sessions. As of 13 October 2026 this is what remains.
| Session | Test date | Registration in Korea | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK PBT 108 | 18 October in Korea and Asia; 17 October in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania | Closed | 10 December |
| TOPIK IBT 15 and Speaking 12 | 24 October | Closed | 13 November; speaking 16 November |
| TOPIK PBT 109 | 15 November | Closed | 22 December |
| TOPIK IBT 16 | 28 November | Closed | 18 December |
| TOPIK PBT 110 | 10 January 2027 | 8 to 14 December 2026 | 4 February 2027 |
Outside Korea the registration dates may differ from these; the organisers tell overseas candidates to contact their local TOPIK administering agency. Scores are published on the TOPIK website at 3 p.m. on the announcement date, and the date is subject to change.
Who can take it and what it is for
TOPIK is for overseas Koreans and non-Koreans whose first language is not Korean, and for Korean nationals who study or have graduated abroad. The organisers list these uses:
- An admission and graduation standard for universities in Korea.
- Applications to companies and public institutions in Korea and abroad.
- Visas, including qualifications for permanent residency and employment.
- Courses under the Global Korean Scholarship programme.
- Credits and graduation requirements for Korean majors at overseas universities.
The level each of these requires is set by the university, employer or immigration office concerned. Because a score lasts two years from the result announcement, count back from your application date when you choose a session.
How to prepare
- Decide between TOPIK I and TOPIK II by the level you need. Level 3 or above means TOPIK II, which includes writing.
- Use the official practice tools: the TOPIK site has sections for solving past questions, video lectures and trying the internet-based test.
- Practise under time. TOPIK II on paper is 180 minutes of testing across two periods.
- Test yourself and space your reviews. A 2013 review of learning research rated practice testing and distributed practice as high utility.
- Build general Korean alongside test practice. The Online King Sejong Institute is a free online Korean learning service with courses from introductory to advanced.
TOPIK I and II do not include speaking. Language Lab's Korean course is built around voiced real-life scenarios with an AI tutor, which gives you spoken practice alongside your test preparation.
Frequently asked
What is the official Korean language test?
TOPIK, the Test of Proficiency in Korean, managed by the National Institute for International Education under Korea's Ministry of Education.
How many TOPIK levels are there?
Six, across two tests. TOPIK I awards levels 1 and 2; TOPIK II awards levels 3 to 6. Your level depends on your total score.
What score do I need for TOPIK level 4?
A total of 150 to 189 on TOPIK II. Level 3 is 120 to 149, level 5 is 190 to 229 and level 6 is 230 to 300.
How long is a TOPIK score valid?
Two years from the announcement of the test score.
When is the next TOPIK?
The remaining 2026 sessions are closed for registration in Korea. The 110th paper-based TOPIK is on 10 January 2027, with registration in Korea from 8 to 14 December 2026. Dates outside Korea may differ.
How much does TOPIK cost?
In Korea, the paper-based test costs KRW 40,000 for TOPIK I and KRW 55,000 for TOPIK II. The internet-based test costs 70,000 won and 95,000 won. Fees elsewhere are set locally.
Is the internet-based TOPIK worth the same as the paper test?
Yes. The organisers describe TOPIK IBT as having the same effectiveness and rating system as the paper-based TOPIK.
Sources: TOPIK official website (National Institute for International Education, Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea), TOPIK Outline, TOPIK Exam Schedule, and Exam Introduction pages for TOPIK PBT, TOPIK IBT and TOPIK Speaking; King Sejong Institute Foundation, About Online KSI; Dunlosky et al., Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2013. Checked on 13 October 2026. Photo: Heungnyemun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
