TOPIK Countdown

The TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean, 한국어능력시험) is the official Korean language proficiency exam developed and administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the South Korean Ministry of Education. It is the primary certification for non-native Korean speakers and is recognized by universities, employers, and immigration authorities worldwide.

TOPIK is divided into two levels: TOPIK I covers beginner to intermediate levels (Levels 1–2) and consists of Listening and Reading sections. TOPIK II covers intermediate to advanced levels (Levels 3–6) and includes Listening, Writing, and Reading sections. The exam is offered in South Korea and at centers in over 70 countries.

Successful TOPIK preparation begins with an honest assessment of your current Korean level. The NIIED publishes all past exam papers for free on the official TOPIK website — working through these in chronological order is the single most important preparation step.

For TOPIK I, focus on high-frequency vocabulary (approximately 800–2000 words), basic grammar patterns, and Listening comprehension of everyday Korean. For TOPIK II, expand to 5000+ vocabulary items, complex grammar (including connective endings and indirect speech), and master the three writing task types: sentence completion, short-answer descriptions, and the 600–700 character essay. Use this countdown to schedule your preparation in weekly milestones.

TOPIK certifies six proficiency levels. Level 1–2 is TOPIK I; Level 3–6 is TOPIK II. Specific levels are required for different purposes:

• University admission in South Korea: most institutions require Level 3 or 4; Seoul National University undergraduate programs typically require Level 4 or higher.
• Korean government scholarships (NIIED, KGSP): Level 3 or higher.
• Immigration and visas: a F-2 residency visa requires Level 4; Korean citizenship via naturalization requires passing the KINAT which includes language evaluation.
• Employment: many Korean companies ask for Level 4+ for positions requiring Korean communication.

Scores are valid for two years from the exam date.