What is TOPIK?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language test for non-native speakers. It is run by South Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education.
Here is the thing: plenty of people speak great Korean without TOPIK. But when your resume says "Korean: fluent" with no proof, hiring managers have no way to verify that. TOPIK gives them a number they can trust.
Levels at a glance
TOPIK I (beginner)
- Listening (30 questions) + Reading (40 questions), 100 minutes total
- Max score: 200
- Level 1: 80+ points (basic greetings, shopping)
- Level 2: 140+ points (daily conversations)
TOPIK II (intermediate to advanced)
- Listening (50) + Reading (50) + Writing (4 questions), 180 minutes
- Max score: 300
- Level 3: 120+
- Level 4: 150+
- Level 5: 190+
- Level 6: 230+
The writing section only exists in TOPIK II. Question 54 is a 600-700 character essay, and it is where most people lose points.
What level do employers want?
It depends on the job:
- Factory/manufacturing: Level 2-3 is enough
- Office/admin work: Level 4 minimum
- Sales/marketing: Level 4-5
- Translation/interpretation: Level 5-6 (without 6, you often get filtered out)
- IT/engineering: Level 3-4 (technical skills matter more)
For Korean companies overseas, practical communication matters more than your test score. But having TOPIK 4+ on your resume gets you past the first screening.
Visa requirements
- E-7 (skilled worker): TOPIK 4+ recommended
- D-10 (job seeker): TOPIK 4+
- F-2-7 (points-based residency): TOPIK 5-6 gives bonus points
Test schedule and fees
In 2026, there are 15 test sessions: 6 PBT, 6 IBT, and 3 Speaking tests.
Korea PBT dates: January, April, May, July, October, November.
- Fees in Korea:
- TOPIK I PBT: 40,000 KRW
- TOPIK II PBT: 55,000 KRW
- TOPIK I IBT: 70,000 KRW
- TOPIK II IBT: 95,000 KRW
Overseas fees vary by country. Check your local Korean education center for details.
How to study
- Past exams: Download free from topik.go.kr. Do at least 10 sets.
- Listening: Watch KBS news or Korean YouTube daily. Dictation practice works well.
- Reading: Practice guessing unknown words from context. Read one news article per day.
- Writing (TOPIK II): Focus on connective endings. Practice the intro-body-conclusion structure for the essay.
- Be consistent: 30 minutes daily beats weekend cramming.
- Useful sites:
- topik.go.kr (official past exams)
- topikguide.com (English explanations)
- King Sejong Institute iksi.or.kr (free Korean courses)
The honest take
TOPIK does not guarantee a job. And some people get hired without it. But all else being equal, the person with TOPIK wins, especially at the resume screening stage.
Pick a target level and start today. 30 minutes a day, and you can move up one level in about 3 months.