Check the number of questions per section, the exam times, and the level cutoffs. PBT and IBT use different scoring systems, so check the figures for the format you will take.
You can choose between the paper-based exam (PBT) and the computer-based exam (IBT). Both award equivalent TOPIK levels.
You write your answers on the exam paper with a pen. The exam takes longer, and the registration fee is lower.
You take the exam on a computer at the test center. The exam is shorter, but the maximum and cutoff scores differ from the PBT.
| Exam | Section (questions) | Maximum score | Exam time |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | Listening 30 · Reading 40 | 200 points | 100 min (1 period) |
| TOPIK II | Listening 50 · Writing 4 · Reading 50 | 300 points | 180 min (2 periods) |
Listening and Reading are all multiple choice (four options). TOPIK II Writing has 2 short-answer questions and 2 composition questions (one 200–300 character expository passage and one 600–700 character essay).
| Exam | Level | Score range |
|---|---|---|
|
TOPIK I out of 200 points |
Level 1 | 80 ~ 139 |
| Level 2 | 140 ~ 200 | |
|
TOPIK II out of 300 points |
Level 3 | 120 ~ 149 |
| Level 4 | 150 ~ 189 | |
| Level 5 | 190 ~ 229 | |
| Level 6 | 230 ~ 300 |
| Exam | Seated by | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | 09:20 | 10:00 | 11:40 |
| TOPIK II Period 1 (Listening · Writing) | 12:20 | 13:00 | 14:50 |
| TOPIK II Period 2 (Reading) | 15:10 | 15:20 | 16:30 |
Registration fee (Korea): TOPIK I 40,000 won · TOPIK II 55,000 won
| Exam | Section (questions / time) | Maximum score | Total exam time |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I IBT | Listening 26 (30 min) · Reading 26 (40 min) | 400 points | 70 min |
| TOPIK II IBT | Listening 30 (35 min) · Reading 30 (40 min) · Writing 3 (50 min) | 600 points | 125 min |
You take the exam on a test-center computer, and for Writing you type using the Korean keyboard. There is no break during the exam.
| Exam | Level | Score range |
|---|---|---|
|
TOPIK I IBT out of 400 points |
Level 1 | 121 ~ 235 |
| Level 2 | 236 ~ 400 | |
|
TOPIK II IBT out of 600 points |
Level 3 | 191 ~ 290 |
| Level 4 | 291 ~ 360 | |
| Level 5 | 361 ~ 430 | |
| Level 6 | 431 ~ 600 |
IBT uses different maximum scores and cutoffs, but its TOPIK levels are equivalent to those awarded by PBT.
| Exam | Entry | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I IBT | 08:30 ~ 08:50 | 09:30 | 10:40 |
| TOPIK II IBT | 12:00 ~ 12:20 | 13:00 | 15:05 |
