The TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is a standardized Korean language proficiency exam hosted by K-LCERT (Korean Language and Culture Education Institute), primarily for non-native speakers. It is divided into TOPIK I (Beginner) and TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced), comprising a total of 6 levels. Below is a detailed breakdown of its level classifications, competency descriptions, and exam structures:
I. Level Classification and CEFR Alignment
TOPIK’s level system corresponds to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as follows:
TOPIK Level CEFR Equivalent Competency Description
Level 1 A2 Capable of basic daily communication; masters ~800 foundational vocabulary words; understands simple sentences and practical short texts.
Level 2 B1 Can handle everyday scenarios (e.g., shopping, asking for directions); writes short sentences; comprehends common practical texts.
Level 3 B2 Engages in basic workplace or academic communication;掌握 ~3,000 vocabulary words; understands intermediate-level articles and dialogues.
Level 4 B2-C1 Fluently discusses social topics; writes structured short essays; grasps main ideas in news reports and academic lectures.
Level 5 C1 Proficiency in professional vocabulary; analyzes complex texts; conducts in-depth discussions or academic writing; vocabulary ~6,000+.
Level 6 C2 Near-native proficiency; masters comprehension and expression of literary works and professional documents; delivers impromptu speeches or debates.
II. Detailed Competency Requirements by Level
TOPIK I (Beginner): Levels 1 & 2
Core Objective: Basic daily survival Korean skills.
- Level 1:
- Understands simple greetings and instructions (e.g., "Please open the door," "Where is it?").
- Writes basic information (name, age, nationality) and describes daily activities with short sentences (e.g., "I go to school by bus every day").
- Vocabulary: ~800 words (basic nouns, verbs, particles).
- Level 2:
- Grasps key information in daily conversations (e.g., weather, schedules) and handles simple social scenarios (e.g., ordering food, making inquiries).
- Writes coherent short essays (e.g., self-introductions, diaries) and correctly uses basic tenses (past, future).
- Vocabulary: ~1,500–2,000 words (expanded daily vocabulary, e.g., occupations, hobbies).
TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced): Levels 3–6
Core Objective: Korean language proficiency for academic, professional, or social contexts.
- Level 3:
- Understands main points of news bulletins and interviews, inferring implicit intentions (e.g., requests, suggestions).
- Writes 150–200-word argumentative essays (e.g., "Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet") and uses conjunctions (e.g., "first," "however").
- Vocabulary: ~3,000–4,000 words (covers social, cultural, and educational topics).
- Level 4:
- Comprehends complex content in academic lectures and documentaries, summarizing ideas and engaging in critical thinking.
- Writes structured essays (e.g., letters, reports) and uses advanced grammar (e.g., passive/causative voice, indirect speech).
- Vocabulary: ~5,000–6,000 words (includes basic terminology in technology, economics, etc.).
- Level 5:
- Follows professional seminars or debates, analyzing speakers’ logic and positions.
- Writes academic papers or literary critiques, proficient in specialized vocabulary (e.g., legal, medical terms) and complex sentence structures.
- Vocabulary: ~6,000–8,000 words (mastery of abstract terms and idiomatic expressions).
- Level 6:
- Understands classical literature and philosophical works without difficulty; articulates complex ideas impromptu (e.g., social ethics).
- Speaks fluently with native-like pronunciation and intonation, suitable for public speeches or business negotiations.
- Vocabulary: 8,000+ words (includes slang, proverbs, and archaic terms).
III. Exam Structure and Scoring
TOPIK I (Beginner)
- Test Duration: 90 minutes
- Question Types:
- Listening: 30 questions (30 minutes), including daily dialogues and instruction comprehension.
- Reading: 40 questions (60 minutes), including short text completion and chart analysis.
- Total Score: 200 points (100 for listening + 100 for reading)
- Passing Criteria:
- Level 1: 80 points or higher
- Level 2: 140 points or higher
TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced)
- Test Duration: 180 minutes
- Question Types:
- Listening: 50 questions (60 minutes), including academic lectures, interviews, and debates.
- Reading: 50 questions (70 minutes), including long text comprehension and logical reasoning.
- Writing: 4 tasks (50 minutes), including sentence translation, argumentative essays, and chart analysis.
- Total Score: 300 points (100 for listening + 100 for reading + 100 for writing)
- Passing Criteria:
- Level 3: 120 points or higher
- Level 4: 150 points or higher
- Level 5: 190 points or higher
- Level 6: 230 points or higher
IV. Application Scenarios for Scores
1. Studying Abroad:
- Undergraduate Admissions: Typically requires TOPIK 3–4 (e.g., Yonsei University, Korea University).
- Graduate Admissions: Liberal arts programs often require 5–6, while STEM fields may accept 4+.
2. Employment:
- Korean Company Recruitment: Trade and translation roles usually require 4–5; technical positions may accept 3+.
- South Korea Employment Visa (E-7): Some professions (e.g., teachers, engineers) require TOPIK 5 or higher.
3. Immigration and Residency:
- Permanent Residency (F-5): Requires passing TOPIK 4 and the Korean Lifestyle and Ethics Test.
V. Preparation Tips
1. Beginner (Levels 1–2):
- Focus on basic grammar (e.g., sentence endings, particles) and high-frequency vocabulary (refer to TOPIK Beginner Vocabulary Red Book).
- Listening Practice: Watch Korean drama dialogues or children’s shows (e.g., Pinkfong) and mimic pronunciation.
2. Intermediate/Advanced (Levels 3–6):
- Reading: Analyze articles from Korean news sites (e.g., Yonhap News, JoongAng Ilbo) to understand structure.
- Writing: Study 100 TOPIK Essay Samples and practice chart descriptions and argumentative logic.
- Listening: Dictate slow news from KBS World Radio to build professional terminology.