TOPIK IBT – The Complete Guide (Test Structure, Application Process, Levels)

September 23, 2023

Dr. Satish Satyarthi

❍ What is TOPIK IBT?

❍ A Korean Language Proficiency Test administered by the South Korean government

❍ A standardized test that measures the Korean language skills of nonnative Korean speakers

❍ A convenient and better accessible Internet-based test for global Kore an learners

❍ An official language test that has the same validity and grading syste m as the TOPIK Paper-based test

* TOPIK IBT (Test Of Proficiency In Korean Internet-Based Test) Guidelines

Who can take the TOPIK IBT?

❍ Anyone can take the TOPIK IBT

❍ Anyone who can provide ID card for identity verification

2024 Annual Test Schedule

Exam	Test Date	Registration	Results	Location
2nd TOPIK IBT	MARCH 22-23, 2024	JAN 16-FEB 2, 2024	APRIL 16, 2024	Globally
3rd TOPIK IBT	JUNE 7-8, 2024	APRIL 9-26, 2024	JULY 2, 2024	Globally
4th TOPIK IBT	SEPT 27-28, 2024	JULY 23-AUG 9, 2024	OCT 22, 2024	Globally

Test Fees

❍ Korea

TOPIK I IBT	TOPIK II IBT	TOPIK Speaking
KRW 70,000	KRW 95,000	KRW 80,000

❍ Other Regions

※ TOPIK IBT fees differ by country and region. Check a TOPIK IBT test center’s website in your area.

Test Venues

❍ Korea: 32 Authorized Test centers in 15 areas

❍ Overseas: 20 Authorized Test Centers in 11 regions

Asia Pacific: Taiwan, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Guam, Hawaii

Europe: Rumania, Lithuania, United Kingdom

※ Test available areas differ by each round of test. (Check www.topik.go.kr)

How to Register for TOPIK IBT

❍ Registration is available at www.topik.go.kr during the registration per iod

- www.topik.go.kr / login / Register for TOPIK

※ Candidates are advised to sign up for www.topik.go.kr in advance to prepa re registration for TOPIK IBT test.

TOPIK IBT Test Types and Duration

[TOPIK Speaking]

Test Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Questions: 6 questions in total

Question

Question Type

Preparation Time

Answer Time

1	Answering a simple question	20 seconds	30 seconds
2	Playing a role based on images	30 seconds	40 seconds
3	Creating a story based on images	40 seconds	60 seconds
4	Completing a story	40 seconds	60 seconds
5	Analyzing the given material	70 seconds	80 seconds
6	Presenting opinions on a given topic	70 seconds	80 seconds

TOPIK IBT SAMPLE QUESTIONS

TOPIK Speaking Test Attainable Levels and Grades

Levels	TOPIK Speaking
Levels	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Score	20~49	50~89	90~109	110~129	130~159	160~200

TOPIK SPEAKING LEVELS EXPLAINED

[TOPIK Speaking]

Levels	Score	Level Descriptors
Level 1	20 ~ 50	Able to give simple answers to questions on familiar everyday topics. Language use is extremely limited and mostly incorrect Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are unnatural, and they have trouble expressing themselves
Level 2	50 ~ 90	Able to ask and answer questions on everyday activities in familiar settings. Language use is limited and sometimes out of context, and often incorrect. Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are unnatural, and they have some trouble expressing themselves
Level 3	90 ~ 110	Able to express themselves about familiar social issues in a relatively detailed manner. Occasionally makes mistakes but capable of using some vocabulary and expressions that reasonably fit the discourse context. Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are somewhat unnatural, they have no trouble expressing themselves.
Level 4	110~130	Able to express themselves about some social issues in a relatively detailed and coherent manner. Occasionally makes mistakes, capable of using a variety of vocabulary and expressions that generally fit the discourse context. Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are somewhat unnatural, they have no trouble expressing themselves.
Level 5	130~160	Able to express themselves about social issues or some abstract concepts in a relatively logical and consistent manner. Makes some mistakes, but capable of using a variety of vocabulary and expressions that fit the discourse context. Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are mostly natural, and their delivery i s good.
Level 6	160~200	Able to express themselves about social issues or abstract concepts logically and persuasively. Makes nearly no mistakes and is capable of using a wide variety of vocabulary and grammar in discourse contexts. Pronunciation, intonation, and pace are natural, and their delivery is excellent.

[TOPIK IBT]

TOPIK IBT Test Time

❍ TOPIK I: 85 minutes

❍ TOPIK II: 150 minutes

※ TOPIK IBT doesn’t have break time in between each sections.

TOPIK IBT Questions and Scores

Test Types	Section	Question Type	Number of Questions	Score s	Total Scores
TOPIK Ⅰ (Level 1~2)	Listening(40 mins)	Multiple Choice	30	200	400
TOPIK Ⅰ (Level 1~2)	Reading(45 mins)		30	200	400
TOPIK Ⅱ (Level 3~6)	Listening(45 mins)		40	200	600
	Reading(55 mins)		40	200
	Writing(50 mins)	Writing	3	200

TOPIK IBT Attainable Levels: 6 Levels (Level 1 – 6)

Test Type	TOPIK I IBT		TOPIK II IBT
Levels	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Scores	132-207	208-400	204-261	262-330	331-411	412-600

TOPIK IBT AND TOPIK SPEAKING LEVELS EXPLAINED

시험	등급	점수	등급 기술
토픽 Ⅰ	1급	132 ~ 207	Capable of using basic language skills necessary for everyday activities, such as introducing themselves, shopping, and ordering food, and understanding and expressing themselves when conversing about their family or pastimes, the weather, or other casual or familiar topics. Knows about 800 basic words and can form simple sentences with an understanding of basic grammar. Capable of understanding and forming practical sentences and simple sentences used in everyday life.
토픽 Ⅰ	2급	208 ~ 400	Capable of using the language skills necessary for everyday life, such as calling and asking for a favor, and using public facilities, such as the post office or banks. Able to use 1,500 to 2,000 words to understand and compose paragraphs about a casual or familiar topic.
			Able to distinguish which linguistic form to use in formal and in formal situations.
토픽 Ⅱ	3급	204 ~ 261	No problem engaging in normal day-to-day activities and has the basic language skills necessary to use various public facilities and maintain interpersonal relationships. Understand and express themselves regarding not only familiar and specific topics but also familiar topics in paragraphs. Capable of understanding the basic features of literary and colloquial language and using them in different contexts.
토픽 Ⅱ	4급	262 ~ 330	Has language skills to use public facilities, maintain interpersonal relationships, and apply their skills to work situations to a certain extent. Able to understand the news or news articles provided in relatively plain language. Understand and express themselves about a general social issue or abstract concept in a relatively accurate and fluent manner.
			Understand and express themselves about socio-cultural content based on an understanding of frequently used idiomatic expressions and Korean culture.
	5급	331 ~ 411	Has the language skills to use professionally or to conduct research in a specialized field to a certain extent Understand and express themselves regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, social issues, and culture. Able to use different forms of language appropriately depending on formal or informal contexts or colloquial or written contexts.
	6급	412 ~ 600	Has the language skills to use professionally or to conduct research in a specialized field fairly accurately and fluently Understand and express themselves regarding unfamiliar topics concerning politics, the economy, social issues, and culture.

TOPIK IBT Question Types

❍ Multiple Choice(Radio Button): Choosing the appropriate answer out of four options

❍ Word Insertion: Choosing the most appropriate answer for the blank i n the reading passage

❍ Sentence Insertion: Choosing the appropriate place for the given sent ence in the reading passage

❍ Drag and Drop): Arranging the given sentences in order

❍ Sentence Completion(Short answer): Entering the appropriate answer i n the blank to complete the sentence

❍ Essay writing: Writing an essay on a given topic within the suggested word count range

TOPIK IBT Test Result

❍ Test Result Release: Test-takers can check their test result and score reports within 4 to 5 weeks after the exam date.

❍ Check your score

Nonmember: www.topik.go.kr / Check Your Score / Select Test Session, Registration Number, and Birthdate

Member: www.topik.go.kr / login / Mypage / 성적현황 / 성적확인

❍ Validity period : 2 years after the release of test score

※ No score report will be given for absentees or test takers who violated test regulations or whose identity has not been verified.

❍ How to verify test-taker’s score report

www.topik.go.kr / TOPIK Information / Verify Score Report Validity / Input verification code, name of your institute, your name, your contact for the result of verification.

IBT TOPIK - WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE TEST DAY

1. Print Your Admission Ticket

❍ www.topik.go.kr > login > [My Page] > [registration Status] > [Print Admission Ticket]

※ Applicants who have failed to meet TOPIK requirements can not print their admission tickets

※ The test identification slip can be printed from the TOPIK website starting at 10 am on Monday, approximately two weeks before the test date

2. Check Test Center Location

❍ www.topik.go.kr > TOPIK Information > Test Centers > TOPIK IBT > Choose Region > Search

❍ Address of your test center is written on your admission ticket

3. Arrive at the Test Center

❍ Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before test starts

❍ Candidates should present genuine ID card for identity verification

4. Before Test

Upon Entry

❍ Enter the test room following the administrator’s instructions Check your seat number in the test room and take a seat

❍ No other items except your ID card are allowed to put on the desk. Hand in your electronic devices

※ Candidates cannot use, carry or wear any electronic devices in the test room including mobile phone, smart watch, and etc.

30 Minutes before the test

❍ Entry to the Test room will be closed 30 minutes before the Test start time.

❍ Test-taker login: You need to login to the test device (PC or a Tablet). Enter registration number, date of birth, and your signature using a mouse.

❍ Check your name, date of birth, and registration number on the screen

❍ Check and adjust headphone volume. Test takers are responsible for checking headphone if it is working correctly. if not, ask invigilator for help.

❍ For TOPIK Speaking: Record and check your voice using a microphone. Test takers are responsible for checking microphone if it is working correctly. if not, ask invigilator for help.

❍ Check test rules and security agreement on the screen and agree.

15 minutes before the test

❍ ID Check - Place your ID card on your desk and wait for the invigilator’s verification.

Test takers whose identity cannot be confirmed, including those without ID cards, will be asked to leave the test room immediately.

❍ Click the <Start Test> button and wait according to the invigilator’s instructions.

Starting the Test

❍ The test will start automatically according to the test time.

5. During the Test

❍ Test Rules

TOPIK IBT does not have breaks in between sections.
Test takers cannot leave the test room and use restrooms during the test.
If a test taker must leave the test room for an unavoidable reason, you must be accompanied by a (technical) administrator stationed in the hallway.
The test will not be temporarily paused, and no additional time will be added if you leave the test room during the test.

6. End of Test

❍ Confirm the end of the test

Test takers should confirm whether the test has ended by submitting answers

Test takers are responsible for any negligence in failing to submit their test answers.

❍ Early termination of the test

Test takers can end the test by submitting an empty answer sheet if they want to give up on the test midway.

When finished earlier, test takers can leave early upon invigilator’s permission after reading for TOPIK I and writing for TOPIK II.

※ Test takers should finish listening and speaking as scheduled duration. No early termination is allowed in Listening and Speaking.

7. After the Test

❍ Leave the test room

Test takers who finished the test may leave the test room by following the invigilator’s instructions.

Make sure to retrieve your electronic devices if you handed in before the test.

Guidelines for processing cheating

❍ Article 18.1 of the TOPIK Operation Regulation

Valid Identification (ID Documents) for TOPIK Test

1. Test taker should have a valid ID card to enter the test room. Invigilator should get test takers who do not have valid ID cards out of the test room

2. Valid ID cards are as follows:

ID Cards	Adult	Undergraduate student	Primary or Secondary Student
A valid passport, foreigner residence card, overseas Korean resident card, permanent resident card, or a welfare card (disability registration card)	○	○	○
Resident registration card (or Confirmation of Application for the Issuance of a Resident Registration Card), mobile resident registration card (issued since July 1 2), driver’s license, mobile driver’s license	○	○	High schoolers only
Student ID, Youth ID Card (or Confirmation of Application for the Issuance of a Youth ID Card)	×	×	○
Identity verification certificate	×	○	○
A. Test takers who have submitted their ID cards to public institutions, such as the Korean Immigration Service, to apply for a change of resident status or extend their visa may take the test if they have documents such as the Confirmation of Application for Residence Permit or Confirmation of Visa Issuance (The confirmation sheet must include the test taker’s name, date of birth, and photograph). B. Student IDs should include the name of the school, the test taker’s name and photo, and an official seal of the school’s principal (The official seal of the school principal is not required if a Korean bank has issued the student ID card, which also functions as a debit card and includes the bank name, student name, and account number). C. Mobile ID cards can only be used for verification through applications authorized by the issuing organizations (the Ministry of the Interior and Safety or the National Police Agency). 3. Aside from passports, all accepted ID cards must be issued by domestic (Korean) institutions. 4. Test takers must have original ID cards, laminated and stamped with official seals. 5. The proof of identity for TOPIK must be filled out in the attached form, and the photograph must be stamped with an official seal and covered with transparent tape. 6. Test takers taking the test outside Korea should follow the ID regulations of the administering organizations of each country, but all ID cards must include the test taker’s photo, name, and date of birth.

Share0

Tweet0