Facing TOPIK: And What You Can Learn from It – March 2025

By Dhivyaa S. P.

The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is  an  internationally  recognized  exam designed for non-native speakers who wish to assess and certify their Korean language skills. Whether for academic, professional, or personal reasons, TOPIK serves as a valuable benchmark for language proficiency and is accepted by universities, employers, and immigration programs in Korea.

My Personal Experience with the TOPIK Exam

I began learning Korean as part of the Global Korea Scholarship program, where we had to complete a year of language studies. To progress to graduate studies, we needed at least TOPIK Level 3. Those who didn’t achieve this score had to extend their language studies for another six months.

After finishing Level 2 at the Chonnam Language Center, I took my first TOPIK II exam in January 2023. To get familiar with the question format, I attempted a few free mock tests from the official TOPIK website. I went in without many expectations, simply wanting to experience the exam structure. However, once the listening section started, it felt too fast for my level. I struggled with vocabulary and grammar, leading to panic mid-exam. To make things worse, the heating in our room wasn’t working properly, and the winter cold made it even harder to concentrate.

“Getting ready for the TOPIK exam is a mix of fun and challenge.”

TOPIK II is a 180-minute exam divided into two sessions. The first session includes listening and writing, followed by a 30-minute break, then reading for 70 minutes. After coming out of the exam hall, I realized the seriousness of the test and decided to prepare more rigorously for the next one in April 2023. In my January exam, I scored 113 – just 7 points short of passing Level

• This motivated me to put in more effort. Over the next few months, I took three consecutive TOPIK II exams and achieved Level 4 in all of them. By my final attempt, my listening and reading skills had significantly improved, though writing still remained a challenge.

Being a planner (MBTI “J” type), I approached my preparation strategically. My first attempt in January helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to focus on sections that were easier to score in later exams.

Tips for TOPIK II Exam-Takers

• Work smart, not just hard. Learn the exam pattern and prepare accordingly.

• Take the exam at least once to familiarize yourself with the structure and atmosphere.

• Bring a correction tape; it’s especially useful for the writing section!

• Don’t forget your ID card and exam hall ticket.

• Most importantly, believe in yourself and do your best. You’ve got this! Fighting!

I also spoke to a few friends about their experiences with TOPIK, and it was interesting to see how the test felt different for each of them:

“If you go with a friend, you will feel less stressed. You can take the TOPIK pens after the exam.” -Karina Kolmogertseva, Russia

“The exam was an interesting experience, as it covered the 3 major sections of language learning: reading, listening, and writing. With my level of knowledge in the language, I found the audios for listening were comprehensible and the time allotted was adequate for all 3 sections.” -Mohanraj Dheeptha, India

“Getting ready for the TOPIK exam is a mix of fun and challenge; not only do we have to study well but also be ready for anything, since the exam can surprise you with its difficulty. Materials are everywhere, but I quickly learned that aiming for the toughest content and understanding the exam’s pattern were my best bets to achieve my main goal. You’ve gotta be prepared to give it your all!” -Desy Damayanti Simamora, Indonesia

“The TOPIK exam is a helpful way to assess your Korean skills, especially in reading, writing, and listening, but it has its limits. It focuses more on language knowledge than practical use, so being able to apply the language in real-life situations requires additional practice beyond the exam.” -Daniel Aiman Bin Kamaruzaman, Malaysia

At the end of the day, preparation and mind-set play a huge role in how we approach and succeed in language proficiency exams.