TOPIK explained: levels, sections, scores and 2026–2027 test dates

2026-10-21

Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

If you want to study at a Korean university, work in Korea or simply measure your progress, sooner or later you will meet TOPIK. In Korean it is called 한국어능력시험 (Hangugeo Neungnyeok Siheom) – the Korean Language Proficiency Test. It is run by Korea's Ministry of Education through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Here is how it works, and which dates are confirmed as of October 2026.

Two tests, six levels

TOPIK is not one exam but two. You choose the one that matches your level, and your score decides which 급 (geup) – level – you receive.

TOPIK I covers beginner levels 1 and 2.

• Listening (듣기, deutgi): 30 questions, 40 minutes
• Reading (읽기, ilgi): 40 questions, 60 minutes
• Maximum score: 200

TOPIK II covers intermediate and advanced levels 3 to 6.

• Listening: 50 questions, 60 minutes
• Writing (쓰기, sseugi): 4 questions, 50 minutes
• Reading: 50 questions, 70 minutes
• Maximum score: 300

Most questions are multiple choice. The exception is the TOPIK II writing section, where you fill in sentences and write two short essays, the last one around 600–700 characters.

What score do you need?

There is no "pass" or "fail" as such. Your total score is converted into a level:

If you score below 80 on TOPIK I or below 120 on TOPIK II, you don't get a level. Results are valid for two years from the day they are announced, so time your test for when you actually need the certificate.

Paper, computer and speaking

TOPIK now comes in three formats:

• PBT – the classic paper-based test.
• IBT – the internet-based (computer) version of the same test, offered in a growing number of countries.
• Speaking test – a separate computer-based test of spoken Korean (말하기, malhagi) with its own results.

Dates still to come in 2026

The 2026 plan included 15 sessions: six paper tests, six computer tests and three speaking tests. As of October 21, 2026, the remaining dates are:

Registration for all of these has already closed.

The 2027 schedule so far

On September 29, 2026, the Ministry of Education announced that TOPIK will again run 15 times in 2027: six paper tests, six computer tests and three speaking tests. The dates published so far are:

• 110th TOPIK (paper): January 10, 2027 – in Korea only
• 17th IBT: February 20, 2027 – in Korea only
• Speaking tests: March 20, June 12 and October 23, 2027 – all in Korea

The other paper and computer sessions will be held in Korea and overseas, but their exact dates weren't in the announcement we checked. The ministry also announced stricter rules for 2027: anyone caught cheating can be banned from TOPIK for five years, and only a physical passport or Korean foreigner registration card will be accepted as ID on test day.

How to check dates and register

1. Go to the official site, topik.go.kr, and open the yearly schedule (시험일정, siheom iljeong).
2. If you live outside Korea, check with your local test centre (often a Korean Education Centre, embassy or university). Registration windows differ by country and are usually short, about one week.
3. Popular centres fill up fast, so register on the first day if you can.
4. Results come out on topik.go.kr on the date listed for your session.

Korean you can use

Whichever level you aim for, practise with past papers under timed conditions. Knowing the format is half the battle, and the other half is plenty of everyday Korean.