What is TOPIK?
Why should you take the TOPIK exams?
If you plan to migrate to Korea or apply for a Korean university, you will require a TOPIK certificate. This is because Korea’s immigration authority utilises a point-based system that grades potential applicants based on their language proficiency level. Therefore, you stand a much better chance of securing a long-term visa for study or work if you ace your TOPIK exams.
Additionally, it is vital to note that the TOPIK certification differs from the credentials obtained from your Korean language classes. Even though these certificates signify your completion of the respective Korean language courses, they may not be recognised internationally. However, you will not encounter this issue with a TOPIK certification, which is why it is highly sought after worldwide.
How to register for the TOPIK exams?
If you are learning Korean in Singapore and wish to take the TOPIK exams, you can register for the tests online through the Singapore Korean International School’s website. However, the exams are held at the school, so you are required to head down to the campus, which is located at 71 Bukit Tinggi Road.
The application fees are as followed:
| Level | Fee (SGD) |
|---|---|
| TOPIK I (Grade 1 and 2) | $100* |
| TOPIK II (Grade 3 to 6) | $120* |
* The application fees listed are subject to change. Please verify the latest costs with the Singapore Korean International School.
How to prepare for the TOPIK exams?
The best way to prepare for the TOPIK exams is to enrol yourself in a Korean language class. At ONLYOU Korean Language School, our syllabus is closely aligned with TOPIK exam guidelines. In addition, our teachers are part of the Korean Society of Bilingualism and the International Association for Korean Language Education. Therefore, they are constantly kept informed of the latest changes to the Korean syllabus.
Moreover, our teachers possess an in-depth understanding of the exam format. As a result, our group and private classes are specifically curated to ensure our students are well-equipped to take on the tests and pass with flying colours.
What are the benefits of taking the TOPIK exams?
ONLYOU REWARDS SUMMARY
| TOPIK grades | Reward amounts | |
| Grade 2 | ──── | $50 discount |
| Grade 3 | ──── | $60 discount |
| Grade 4 | ──── | $80 discount |
| Grade 5 | ──── | $100 discount |
| Grade 6 | ──── | $150 discount |
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for the rewards:
| 1. | Students are required to participate in our lessons for more than 6 months prior to their exam dates. |
| 2. | Current ONLYOU students as of the result announcement date. |
| 3. | Students can apply for their rewards a second time when they receive a higher grade in future exams. |
| 4. | Students can only claim the rewards twice. |
| 5. | The reward must be redeemed within 6 months from the result announcement date. |
| 6. |
The reward can be split over consecutive terms.
|
Hear from our students as they share how they prepared for the TOPIK exams
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
My Korean lessons at ONLYOU were very helpful! The topical structure of the lessons helped me to learn a variety of vocabulary and grammar that covered everything from everyday conversational topics, to Korean history, and even idioms and metaphors that were great additions to my writing (쓰기) skills.We would also have mini exam sessions once every few months, and that especially helped me to train my time management skills, especially for writing (쓰기) and reading (읽기) sections.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- I did the official online copies of past-year TOPIK papers, albeit starting on them only a week before the TOPIK exams. I don't recommend doing this at all, but I was very grateful to have been able to fall back on my lesson notes from ONLYOU lessons to fortify my revision!
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
Korean lessons were very helpful in my preparation for TOPIK.Each lesson chapter comprises a good combination of vocabulary and grammar (3-4 grammar) which makes it easier for students like me to learn Korean at an appropriate pace.
My teacher at ONLYOU also helps a lot in the improvement of my Korean skills by teaching us in a fun way that relates to everyday life and giving useful homework and assignment feedback.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- I like watching Korean dramas since young and also watch Korean variety shows once in a while which I believe help with learning Korean.
- I enjoy listening to K-drama OSTs and some K-pop songs.
- I also find that reading and revising through past essay writings/assignments completed through the course of studying Korean helps in my preparation for TOPIK.
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
Yes, ONLYOU lessons were very helpful in my preparation for TOPIK.Focus on grammar: Examples of usage, how to form a sentence, compare/contrast with similar grammar, detailed explanations even for slight differences in grammar usage. Time was given for us to form our own conversation with the grammar learnt.
Writing assignments similar to TOPIK and a wide range of topics were covered. Homework feedback is also fast and efficient. 🙂
ONLYOU term test and TOPIK test have similar formats so it was good practice for me.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- Practice past year TOPIK papers.
- Watch Korean drama and variety shows with Korean subtitles (to train listening and also learn new words/spelling)
- Talk to Korean friends.
- Read Korean books, starting with novels for elementary school students.
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
Korean lessons were helpful to prepare for TOPIK, especially since each chapter is broken down to a theme with related vocabulary so it was easier to memorise vocabulary based on a topic rather than memorising words randomly.It was also helpful that each chapter had only 3-4 new grammar rules that allowed me to familiarise myself with new grammar patterns at a steady pace and not be too overwhelmed while learning.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- Besides Korean lessons I found practising past TOPIK papers that I found online as well as memorising words from a TOPIK Vocabulary Handbook to be helpful in understanding some of the harder questions.
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
Yes, very helpful 😀 Personally, learning through the lessons is much more effective for me than to do self-learning.The clear class structure made it so that I consistently made progress with every lesson. It also helped me to keep track with what I was learning so that practice and revision would be a lot easier to do.
I was able to ask the teacher questions, and she could correct me when I made a mistake, so that I wouldn’t make the same mistake during the exam. If I were to learn Korean by myself, I wouldn’t know where to start/what I would need to know/what I didn’t know.
Of course, the classes were fun and interesting so I didn’t get bored and it was easier to pay attention.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- I practiced with my Korean friends by messaging them in Korean almost everyday.
- I watched a lot of KBS/SBS programmes and vlogs (with subtitles) to see how people conversed in real life.
- I also tried to read books and Instagram posts just to practice my reading as well.
Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?
The TOPIK practices and frequent speaking opportunities during lessons have helped prepare me for the TOPIK exam.In addition, my teacher gives good advice and always explains clearly whenever i made a mistake.
Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?
- I always watch Korean shows and read articles once awhile so I think that has helped maintain me in an environment that constantly uses the Korean language.