TOPIK I Study Plan for Beginners: From Hangul to Level 2
A 24-week, 240-hour plan from the Korean alphabet to TOPIK I level 2 (140/200), built on the official paper format, point values and NIKL word lists.
Korean Exams7 min
Korean exams for foreigners
Korean exams, explained.
Practical guides to TOPIK, KIIP and the other tests foreigners take in Korea.
Latest articles
17TOPIK II Reading: Question Types and a 70-Minute Timing Plan
TOPIK II reading is 50 questions in 70 minutes. Every question type by number, a block-by-block timing plan, and the traps in the 102nd official paper.
Korean Exams5 minHow to Register for TOPIK in Korea: Step by Step on topik.go.kr
What each TOPIK sign-up and registration screen asks for, the 10:00–16:00 window, fees (₩40,000/₩55,000), Korean-only payment and the photo rules.
Korean Exams8 minTOPIK Levels and Score Bands Explained: What Level 1 to 6 Mean
TOPIK I gives level 1–2, TOPIK II gives level 3–6, decided by your total score. Official cut-offs for paper and IBT, worked examples and what each level means.
Korean Exams6 minTOPIK Test Day: What to Bring, ID Rules and the Timetable
Which IDs TOPIK accepts in Korea, when doors close (09:20 / 12:20), the minute-by-minute timetable, the watch and phone ban, and answer-sheet rules.
Korean Exams7 minHow to Sign Up on Socinet and Apply for a KIIP Course
A screen-by-screen guide to Socinet, the Korean-only KIIP site: sign-up, placement, course applications, the waitlist, fees and booking tests on kiiptest.org.
Korean Exams7 minTOPIK Results and Certificate: How to Check, Print and Verify
When TOPIK results come out (15:00 KST), how to check and print the certificate, the 5-prints-a-day limit, the 2-year validity and how institutions verify it.
Korean Exams6 minTOPIK Speaking Test: Format, Scoring, Levels and Registration
TOPIK Speaking is 6 tasks in 30 minutes on a computer, scored out of 200, Korea only, ₩80,000. The task timings, level cut-offs, 2026 dates and how to register.
Korean Exams6 min
KIIP Explained: Levels 0–5, Hours, Fees and What Completion Gives You
How the KIIP works: six levels, 515 hours, the fees since 2025, the tests between levels and what finishing it does for permanent residence and citizenship.
6 minKIIP Pre-Assessment: Format, Scoring and Level Placement
The KIIP placement test: 50 written and 5 spoken questions, score bands for levels 0–5, paper and computer dates for late 2026, and mistakes that cost a level.
7 minTOPIK IBT vs Paper TOPIK: Differences and Which to Choose
TOPIK IBT is shorter, costs ₩70,000/₩95,000, runs on Saturdays at 38 sites in Korea and reports in about 3 weeks. Full comparison and who should pick it.
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