All About TOPIK Singapore

If you are learning Korean in Singapore, then you have to know about the TOPIK guidelines. Let us share what they are and how our Korean language classes can prepare you for the exams.

TOPIK Schedule 2024

  • The 93rd examination will be held on 14 April 2024 at SKIS(Singapore).
  • The 96th examination will be held on 13 Oct 2024 at SKIS(Singapore).
  • The 93rd registration period is from 15 January 2024 to 29 January 2024.
  • The 96th registration period is from 6 August 2024 to 12 August 2024.
  • 93rd exam results will be released on 30 May 2024.
  • 96th exam results will be released on 28 November 2024.
topik singapore

What is TOPIK?

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is an external exam conducted twice a year in Singapore, typically in April and October. The test is divided into two levels – TOPIK I and TOPIK II. TOPIK I consists of two grade levels, 1 and 2, whereas TOPIK II has four grade levels, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Participants will be graded on their Korean proficiency level. Their total score will determine which grade level they receive on their certificates.

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.

topik korean
topik exam singapore

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.

topik test singapore

TOPIK General Information

Overview of TOPIK

star

  Objectives of Topik

  • To guide those studying Korean as a second language and promote widespread use of the Korean language.
  • To assess test taker's level of Korean language proficiency and to allow them to use their test results when applying for jobs, colleges, etc.
check

  ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Overseas Korean or non-Korean whose first language is not Korean and who:

  • is currently learning Korean or wishes to study at a Korean college;
  • wishes to work for a Korean company or public agency based in or outside Korea.
  • Korean national who is currently studying at or has graduated from a school abroad
clock

  VALIDITY

TOPIK results are valid for two (2) years from the time of test result announcements.

head

  TOPIK POTENTIAL USES

  • serving as admission and graduation standard for universities in Korea.
  • applying for companies and public institutions in Korea and abroad.
  • obtaining Visa for qualifications of permanent residency and employment, etc.
  • taking courses under Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) Program
  • serving as substitute credits and requirements of graduation for Korean majors in overseas universities.

Details of TOPIK

Type and Level

  • Test Type(level): TOPIK I(novice), TOPIK II(intermediate and advanced)
  • Level: Level 1 ~ Level 6(from basic to advanced)
    The level is determined by the total scores achieved in the respective test type, and range of total scores for each level is as follows:
Type TOPIK I TOPIK II
Level Fail Level 1 Level 2 Fail Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6

Score Range (ponits)

 0 ~ 79 80 ~ 139 140 ~ 200 0 ~ 119 120 ~ 149 150 ~ 189 190 ~ 229 230 ~ 300

Testing Sections Breakdown

Test type Test period Test section (duration) Test item type Number of test item Range of score Total score
TOPIK I 1st Listening(40mins) Multiple-choice 30 0~100 0~200
Reading(60mins) Multiple-choice 40 0~100
TOPIK II 1st Listening(60mins) Multiple-choice 50 0~100 0~300
Writing(50mins) Supply type 4 0~100
2nd Reading(70mins) Multiple-choice 50 0~100

※Test Item Type Description

  • Multiple-choice : Selecting 1 answer among the 4 choices.
  • Supply type question(writing part)
    • Sentence completion type : 2 questions total
    • Essay type
      • I descriptive essay ranging from 200-300 letters (including spaces) for intermediate level.
      • I argumentative essay ranging from 600-700 letters(including spaces) for advanced level.

Evaluation of Written Test Items

Questions Evaluation Category Evaluation Details
Sentence completion
(2 test items)		 Content and Task Achievement
  • Is the response accurately comprehensible?
  • Is the response appropriate to the requirements of the task?
Language Use
  • Does the response reflect correct use of vocabulary and grammar?
Essays
(1 test item)		 Content and Task Achievement
  • Is the response appropriate to requirements of the task?
  • Is the response relevant to the topic?
  • Does the response elaborate the topic and task in a detailed and meaningful way?
Coherence and Cohesion
  • Does the response demonstrate clear and logical structure?
  • How organized is the response?
  • Does the response include the use of appropriate written devices to ensure coherent, cohesive progress and logical connection of the presented ideas?
Language Use
  • Does the response demonstrate appropriate syntactic and lexical variety?
  • Does the response reflect an accurate use of vocabulary choice and grammar?
  • Does the response use the right register in accordance with purpose and function of the task?

Linguistic Competence for Each TOPIK Level

Test Type Level Linguistic Competence
TOPIK I Level 1
  • Able to carry out basic conversations related to daily surviving skills such as self-introduction, purchasing, ordering food, etc., and understand the contents related to very personal and familiar subjects such as himself/herself, family, hobby, weather and the like.
  • Able to create simple sentences based on a basic vocabulary of approximately 800 words and possess  understanding of basic grammar.
  • Able to understand and compose simple and useful sentences related to everyday life.
Level 2
  • Able to carry out simple conversations related to daily routines such as making phone calls and asking favour, as well as using public facilities in daily life.
  • Able to use about 1,500 to 2,000 vocabulary and understand personal and familiar subjects in certain order, such as paragraphing.
  • Able to use formal expression and informal expression accordingly, respective to the situation.
TOPIK II Level 3
  • Able to carry out daily routine, with fair use of public facilities and able to socialize without significant difficulty.
  • Able to express or understand social subjects familiar to oneself, as well as specific subjects, based on paragraph.
  • Able to understand and differentiate written language and spoken language based on their distinctive basic characteristics.
Level 4
  • Able to use various public facilities, socialize, and carry out some degree of ordinary work.
  • Able to understand easy parts in news broadcasts and newspapers.
  • Able to understand and use the expressions related to social and abstract subjects relatively correctly and fluently.
  • Able to understand social and cultural subjects, based on the understanding of Korean culture and frequently used idiomatic expression.
Level 5
  • Able to perform linguistic function to some degree which is necessary for research and works in professional fields.
  • Able to understand and use the expressions related to even unfamiliar aspects of politics, economics, society, and culture.
  • Able to use the expression properly, depending on formal, informal, spoken/written context.
Level 6
  • Able to perform linguistic function necessary to the research and works in professional fields relatively correctly and fluently.
  • Able to understand and use the expressions related to even unfamiliar subjects of politics, economics, society, and culture.
  • Able to experience no difficulty in performing the functions or conveying the meaning, although the proficiency has not reached full native speaker proficiency.

What are the benefits of taking the TOPIK exams?

Possessing a TOPIK certificate not only improves your chances of enrolling in a top Korean university or landing your dream job in Korea, but it also reduces the cost of your Korean language classes. That’s right; we incentivise our students to score well on their TOPIK exams by offering special rewards based on their obtained grades.

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.
  1. Grade 2: $25 discount for two consecutive terms
  2. Grade 3: $30 discount for two consecutive terms
  3. Grade 4: $40 discount for two consecutive terms
  4. Grade 5: $50 discount for two consecutive terms
  5. Grade 6: $50 discount for three consecutive terms

Hear from our students as they share how they prepared for the TOPIK exams

Priscilla Lee
Priscilla LeeTOPIK Result: Grade 6
Read More

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!

Tan Ching Ying
Tan Ching YingTOPIK Result: Grade 5
Read More

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.

Tan Yun Lin
Tan Yun LinTOPIK Result: Grade 6
Read More

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.

Anisha Pillai
Anisha PillaiTOPIK Result: Grade 5
Read More

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.


Adithi Surya
Adithi SuryaTOPIK Result: Grade 4
Read More

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.

Chong Jun Yan
Chong Jun YanTOPIK Result: Grade 5
Read More

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.

Ma Zi En, Joy
Ma Zi En, JoyTOPIK Result: Grade 2
Read More

Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?

Yes! Onlyou Korean lessons were definitely helpful in my preparation for the TOPIK test. Attending lessons allowed me to have frequent listening, reading, writing, and speaking practices which I believe are key in picking up language skills.

The learning materials provided are also easy to understand and great for revising.
Furthermore, our frequent exams every few months encourages me to revise and serves as good practices.

Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?

  • Apart from watching Korean Dramas and Variety shows almost daily, I have done multiple past exam papers from the Topik website to practice time management and to get used to the exam format.

Ei Leen
Ei LeenTOPIK Result: Grade 2
Read More

Were ONLYOU Korean lessons helpful in preparing for TOPIK?

Definitely! Korean lessons at ONLYOU were especially helpful in my preparation for TOPIK; the grammar points and vocabulary taught each week helped me build up my Korean language skills and were also language points which were tested in the TOPIK exam.

The end-of-term tests also gave me a taste of how the TOPIK test would be like as they were of similar format - listening, reading and writing.

Besides attending lessons, did you do anything else to prepare for TOPIK?

  • Yes I did. I purchased a book containing a compilation of TOPIK-like test papers and did a test paper each week within the exam time limit. This helped me familiarise myself with the exam format as well as the various question-types which would be tested in the TOPIK exam.