TOPIK I: What It Is and How to Prepare
Learn what TOPIK I is, how its listening and reading sections work, and follow a step-by-step study plan using this site’s lessons.
Mr. Gaon · Grammar, vocabulary & TOPIKWhat you will learn in this lesson
- Understand what TOPIK I is and who takes it
- Know the two sections: listening and reading
- Read common test instructions in Korean
- Follow a weekly study plan using the beginner lessons
Hello! You have reached the last beginner lesson. Congratulations! Many learners like to check their progress with an official test, so today we look at TOPIK I and make a calm, clear plan to prepare.
What is TOPIK?
TOPIK stands for the Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능력시험). It is an official test for people who do not speak Korean as their first language. It is run by a Korean government institute, and many universities, companies and visa programs use TOPIK results.
There are two tests. TOPIK I is for beginners and can give you level 1 or level 2. TOPIK II is for intermediate and advanced learners and covers levels 3 to 6. You do not choose a level in advance: you take TOPIK I, and your total score decides whether you reach level 1, level 2, or no level yet.
Test dates, places, fees, formats and registration rules can change, and they differ by country. Always check the official website, www.topik.go.kr, or the TOPIK office in your country for the newest information.
What is on TOPIK I?
TOPIK I has two sections: listening (듣기) and reading (읽기). There is no writing or speaking section in TOPIK I. All the questions are multiple choice: you read or hear a question and choose one answer from the options.
Listening questions use short everyday conversations and announcements. You might hear two people talking in a shop and choose where they are, or hear a question and choose the best reply.
Reading questions use short texts: signs, messages, notices, simple ads and short paragraphs about daily life. You might choose the right word for a blank, find the main idea, or pick a sentence that matches the text.
The topics are the same ones you studied in this level: greetings, family, shopping, food, transport, time, plans and feelings.
Level 1 and level 2 in simple words
| Level | What you can roughly do |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic survival Korean: introduce yourself, buy things, order food, understand very short, simple sentences on familiar topics. |
| Level 2 | Everyday conversation on familiar topics: make phone calls, ask for favors, use public places, and understand short texts and polite speech in daily situations. |
These are general descriptions. The official site explains each level in detail.
Please don’t worry about scores too much. A test is a mirror, not a judge. It shows you where you are today, and that helps you plan tomorrow.
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Test words to know
- 시험 siheom test, exam
- 듣기 [듣끼] deutgi listening
- 읽기 [일끼] ikgi reading
- 문제 munje question, problem
- 정답 jeongdap correct answer
- 급 geup level, grade (as in 1급, 2급)
- 접수 [접쑤] jeopsu registration, application
- 수험표 suheompyo admission ticket (for an exam)
- 신분증 [신분쯩] sinbunjeung ID card
- 답안지 [다반지] dabanji answer sheet
Read the instructions in Korean
Test instructions are written in the formal polite style with -(으)십시오, a very formal "please do". You learned its everyday cousin -(으)세요 in the requests lesson. If you can read these few phrases quickly, you save time and feel calmer on test day.
Common instruction phrases
- 알맞은 것을 고르십시오. [알마즌 거슬 고르십씨오] almajeun geoseul goreusipsio. Choose the correct one.
- 잘 듣고 대답하십시오. [잘 듣꼬 대다파십씨오] jal deutgo daedapasipsio. Listen carefully and answer.
- 무엇에 대한 내용입니까? [무어세 대한 내용임니까] mueose daehan naeyongimnikka? What is this about?
- 빈칸에 들어갈 말을 고르십시오. [빈카네 드러갈 마를 고르십씨오] binkane deureogal mareul goreusipsio. Choose the words that go in the blank.
- 내용과 같은 것을 고르십시오. [내용과 가튼 거슬 고르십씨오] naeyonggwa gateun geoseul goreusipsio. Choose the one that matches the content.
- 여기는 어디입니까? [여기는 어디임니까] yeogineun eodiimnikka? Where is this place?
A study plan with this site
Here is a simple plan that uses the lessons you already have. Study about 30–60 minutes a day, five days a week. If you need more time, that is completely fine: go slower and repeat.
Weeks 1–2: Hangul and sounds. Review the Hangul First Steps level, especially batchim, linking and sound changes. Listening questions become much easier when you know how words really sound.
Weeks 3–4: Sentence basics. Review greetings, 이에요/예요, 이/그/저, the particles 은/는, 이/가, 을/를, 에 and 에서, and the present tense.
Weeks 5–6: Numbers and time. Native and Sino-Korean numbers, prices, dates and time. Many reading questions use prices, times and schedules.
Weeks 7–8: Tenses and sentence building. Past, future, negation, -고 싶어요, requests, -고 and -지만, and -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요.
Weeks 9–10: Real situations. Restaurant, shopping, transport, family and the honorifics introduction. Then practice with official sample questions from the TOPIK website and check what you got wrong.
Which lessons help which skill?
| Skill | Most useful lessons |
|---|---|
| Listening to numbers, prices and times | Native Korean Numbers; Sino-Korean Numbers; Telling Time, Days and Dates |
| Understanding places and directions | There Is / There Isn’t; Going Places; Getting Around |
| Understanding conversations in shops and restaurants | At a Restaurant and Café; Shopping |
| Reading short notices and messages | Polite Requests; Saying No; Can and Can’t |
| Following people’s plans and feelings | The Future; I Want to…; And, But, So |
Tips for test day
- Read the options before the audio starts, if there is time. Knowing the choices helps you listen for the key word. - Don’t stop on one hard question. Choose your best guess, mark it, and move on. - Look for small clues: time words (어제, 내일), negatives (안, 못), and particles often decide the answer. - Bring what the rules require, such as your ID and admission ticket. Check the official notice for your test center. - Sleep well the night before. A rested brain listens better than a tired one.
Talking about the test
Check quiz
Q1. Which levels can you get from TOPIK I?
Q2. Which sections are in TOPIK I?
Q3. What kind of questions does TOPIK I use?
Q4. Where should you check current test dates and fees?
Q5. What does 알맞은 것을 고르십시오 mean?
Q6. What is 듣기?
You have finished the whole beginner level! Whether you take the test next month or just study for joy, you can be proud of how far you have come. I will be waiting for you in the intermediate level. 파이팅!
Key points
- TOPIK I is the beginner test and gives level 1 or 2 based on your total score.
- It has listening (듣기) and reading (읽기), all multiple choice.
- Check dates, fees and rules only at www.topik.go.kr or your local TOPIK office.
- Learn the instruction phrases: 알맞은 것을 고르십시오.
- Study plan: sounds → basics → numbers → tenses → real situations → official sample questions.
Recommended official free resources
- Test of Proficiency in Korean — TOPIK official site (NIIED)
- Korean Basic Dictionary (multilingual) — National Institute of Korean Language
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