What score do I need for TOPIK Level 1?

80 out of 200 on TOPIK I. Level 2 needs 140 out of 200.

What score do I need for TOPIK Level 3, 4, 5 or 6?

On the paper-based TOPIK II (out of 300): Level 3 needs 120, Level 4 needs 150, Level 5 needs 190 and Level 6 needs 230.

TOPIK I covers everyday beginner Korean and is manageable after a few months of steady study. TOPIK II adds writing (including a 600–700 character essay) and academic reading, so Levels 5–6 usually take years of study.

How many times a year is TOPIK held?

In 2026 there are 6 paper-based sessions and 6 internet-based sessions worldwide, but each country only hosts some of them — check your local test center.

How long is TOPIK valid?

2 years from the results announcement date.

What Is TOPIK? Levels and Scores Explained

Updated: 2026-09-24 · LUKATO

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean, 한국어능력시험) is the official Korean language test for non-native speakers, run by Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It is used for university admission, jobs, visas and immigration in Korea.

TOPIK I vs TOPIK II

	TOPIK I	TOPIK II
Level	Beginner (Levels 1–2)	Intermediate–Advanced (Levels 3–6)
Sections	Listening, Reading	Listening, Writing, Reading
Questions	Listening 30, Reading 40	Listening 50, Writing 4, Reading 50
Time	100 min (Listening 40, Reading 60)	180 min (Listening 60, Writing 50, Reading 70)
Total score	200	300

TOPIK score for each level

Level	Test	Score needed
Level 1	TOPIK I	80 – 139 / 200
Level 2	TOPIK I	140 – 200 / 200
Level 3	TOPIK II	120 – 149 / 300
Level 4	TOPIK II	150 – 189 / 300
Level 5	TOPIK II	190 – 229 / 300
Level 6	TOPIK II	230 – 300 / 300

Your level is decided by the total score of the test — there is no pass mark for individual sections. Below 80 (TOPIK I) or 120 (TOPIK II) no level is awarded.

“TOPIK 2” is not the same as “TOPIK II”

Level 2 (sometimes written “TOPIK 2”) is the higher result of the beginner TOPIK I test (140 points or more). TOPIK II is the separate intermediate–advanced test that awards Levels 3 to 6.

Internet-based TOPIK (IBT)

Since 2023 TOPIK is also offered as a computer-based test (IBT) in Korea and a growing number of countries. It uses a different score scale: TOPIK I IBT is scored out of 400 (Level 1: 121–235, Level 2: 236–400) and TOPIK II IBT out of 600 (Level 3: 191–290, Level 4: 291–360, Level 5: 361–430, Level 6: 431–600).

TOPIK Speaking test

Speaking is assessed in a separate test scored out of 200 (Levels 1–6). In 2026 the TOPIK Speaking test is held in Korea only (March 21, June 13 and October 24).

Which TOPIK level do you need?

Korean university admission: many universities ask for Level 3 or 4 for undergraduate programs — check each school's requirement.
Jobs at Korean companies: Level 4 or higher is often preferred, especially for office and interpreting roles.
Visas and immigration: TOPIK results count toward several Korean visa and residence programs.

How long is a TOPIK score valid?

TOPIK results are valid for 2 years from the date the results are announced (not the test date).