TOPIK

 

TOPIK, or the Test of Proficiency in Korean, is an international test designed to measure the ability of non-native speakers for expression and comprehension in the Korean language. The test is administered by the National Institute for International Education (국립국제교육원, NIIED).

At present, the TOPIK exam is conducted in more than 90 countries worldwide. In St Petersburg, the test is held three times annually – in spring, summer, and autumn.

 

 TOPIK exam dates at St. Petersburg University for 2024s

Exam number

Exam Dates

Registration

Results announcement

93

Sun 14 April 

22 December 2023 – 26 January 2024

30 May

95

Sun 14 July

8 April – 8 May

22 August

96

Sun 13 October

24 June – 24 July

28 November

Acceptance of documents for TOPIK 96 (October 13, 2024) will end on July 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM (Moscow time).

Payment is accepted until July 24, 2024, until 6:00 PM (Moscow time).

Note that applications submitted before or after the registration period are not accepted, i.e., you cannot register for TOPIK unless it is during the registration period. All applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that, due to the unstable situation with the new coronavirus infection, COVID-19, remote registration is available

Exam fees

Level

Exam fee

TOPIK I

2000 roubles

TOPIK II

2500 roubles

Instructions for submitting an application

To register for the TOPIK Korean language exam, all of the following items are required.

  1. You will need to complete the online application form.

Please fill in the form with care. We recommend that you spell your full name in the Latin transliteration as shown on your international passport. If you are not sure how to spell your name in the Korean transliteration, please contact us at the Language Testing Centre, and our expert will help you. In accordance with the TOPIK exam procedure rules, once the registration for the test is complete, any misspellings or incorrect information (name, birth date or place, etc.) cannot be changed.

  1. You will need to complete the form by hand and take a scan or photograph of it.
  2. You will need to email the following documents to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or deliver them in person to the Language Testing Centre:
    • a copy of your passport (personal data page + place of residence page) / a copy of your birth certificate, and a copy of your legal guardian’s passport, if the candidate is under 18 y.o.
    • a file with the completed ‘Test of Proficiency in Korean Application Form’ (your full name in the Latin transliteration should be spelled as shown on your international passport)
    • a standard colour ID photo (read the photo requirements)

Candidates who do not submit a photo file will not be registered for the exam.

Photo requirements

  • colour image
  • image file size up to 200 KB (3x4 cm, JPG format)
  • the photograph must be clear
  • not allowed:
    • black and white photographs;
    • blurry and unclear photographs making it difficult to identify the candidate;
    • photographs with bangs covering the face;
    • non-frontal photographs, incl. selfie-type photographs;
    • side view photographs, full length, wearing hats and sunglasses;
    • photographs of other people.

You can download the ‘Test of Proficiency in Korean Application Form’ and a sample of a properly completed application form below:

Application form (New)

Sample

After your application has been processed by the Language Testing Centre administrator, we will send you an agreement, bank details for you to arrange payment for the exam, and further instructions.

All incoming applications are processed by the Language Testing Centre manually; therefore, the waiting time for a response is up to 2-3 days. If you have not received a reply to your application in good time, please contact us by phone: +7 (812) 363-64-06; +7 (812) 325-11-24.

Note! After emailing the signed documents and the payment receipt to the Language Testing Centre, make sure to check your email box for the acknowledgement email confirming that we have received all your documents. If you have not received the acknowledgement email within 2-3 business days, please contact us by telephone.

Exam day

On the day of the exam, the exam room will be open 30–40 minutes prior to the start of the exam for check-in procedures (see the schedule below). All candidates are required to have the following documents available:

1. Identification document (international passport for candidate’s name in Latin transliteration spell check)

If the candidate does not have a valid international passport, an internal passport or a birth certificate can be accepted.

2. “TOPIK Proof of Registration” must have a photo (a standard colour ID photo) and the candidate’s registration number, which is sent to candidates by e-mail 2-3 weeks before the exam. The photo on the "TOPIK Proof of Registration" must match the photo used for registration. Please keep the TOPIK Identification Slip until you have received the official TOPIK score report.

Candidates unable to present the aforementioned documents will not be permitted to take the test, nor will the test fee be refunded.

Dear participants, be sure to read the Rules of the TOPIK before the exam to exclude possible violations in the exam.

TOPIK testing schedule

Level

Period

Language skill

Entry time starts

Entry time until

Start time

Finish time

Duration (mins)

TOPIK I

1st

Listening

08:40

09:10

09:40

11:20

100

Reading

TOPIK II

1st

Listening

11:50

12:20

12:50

14:40

110

Writing

2nd

Reading

It is forbidden to leave the building after 1st period

15:00

15:10

16:20

70

TOPIK test format

TOPIK test has two levels – TOPIK-I and TOPIK-II. TOPIK-I, i.e. the beginner level, has two sublevels, or (급) – 1 & 2. TOPIK-II, i.e. Intermediate-Advanced level, has 4 sublevels – 3, 4, 5 & 6. In the table below, you can see the TOPIK levels and passing scores.

Type

TOPIK I

TOPIK II

Level

1급

2급

3급

4급

5급

6급

Passing score

80

140

120

150

190

230

When you take a TOPIK I or TOPIK II test, you can get a level between 1급 and 6급 based on your total score in the test. For example, if you take the TOPIK II test hoping to achieve 4급, but your score is a little lower, you will get 3급. You can also fail the test if you do not accumulate enough points.

TOPIK Certificate

Candidates will be able to download the certificate themselves on the official website of TOPIK.

To do this, open the main page, click on the "check results" button located to the right of the TOPIK logo, enter the data from your registration slip (exam number, registration number, and date of birth), and click on the “search” button. A table with your results will appear on the screen.

If you have successfully passed the exam, it will be written “합격” (passed) in the column “합격 여부” (pass/fail). In that case, in the last column “성적표” (score sheet), there will be a clickable “출력” (print), by clicking on which you can see the certificate and print it.

If you fail the exam, in the “합격여부” column, “불합격” (failed) will be written.

The certificate is valid for two years after the announcement of the exam results; the printed copy is used as the original.

FAQ

  • Korean language learners
  • Foreign nationals and overseas ethnic Koreans whose first language is not Korean
  • International students who want to study at a Korean university in and outside of Korea
  • Individuals who want to be employed at Korean companies in and outside of Korea
  • Individuals applying for a work visa for employment at Korean companies and public institutions

The test is used to assess and confirm your Korean-language skills. The TOPIK certification is an admission requirement for bachelor and master programs at Korean universities and for employment at Korean companies and public institutions. Holders of TOPIK certificates are eligible to apply for tuition fee discounts and scholarships at some Korean universities.

A TOPIK certificate is also necessary for:

  • acquiring permanent residency status or naturalization in South Korea;
  • immigrant visa applications, including marriage-based immigrant visas;
  • government college scholarships;
  • and other academic activities.

Information about the location and time of the exam, as well as the registration number, will be sent to candidates by email 2-3 weeks before the exam.

The registration number and general information about the exam each candidate will get by email 2-3 weeks before the exam date. If the candidate has not received the email 10 days before the exam, they must contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at +7 (812) 363-64-06 or +7 (812) 325-11-24.

Our Centre does not offer the online TOPIK exam.

You can find out more about the rules of behavior during the exam by clicking on the link.

The speaking part (말하기) is not included in the exam conducted at the Language Testing Centre. However, in Korea there is a separate speaking exam. You can find out more on the official TOPIK website.

Candidates can download certificates themselves on the official website of TOPIK. Instructions for obtaining exam results are listed above in the “TOPIK Certificate” section.

Useful links

  1. Official TOPIK website
  2. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in St Petersburg website

Exam preparation materials

St Petersburg University By-laws