The 17th TOPIK (한국어능력시험) will be on February 28th, with registration open through January 17th. The 18th TOPIK will be on Sunday, April 18th, and registration is open from January 27th through February 10th. If you want to register you have to sign up on the Korean-language website---the English-language site is uninformative and nearly a year out-of-date---perhaps a test in and of itself. This Korean-language page will walk you through it. The test costs 40,000 won, and you'll need to attach a small picture of yourself to your electronic application.
The webpage is, unfortunately, pretty uninformative at present. Most of the information is a couple years old, with nothing specific for these 2010 exams. Nonetheless you can find out the nearest testing center in your area from this page: the closest one for Jeollanam-do folks is at the Language Education Center at Gwangju's Chonnam National University. The test is also given in Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Jeju, Cheongju, Suwon, Incheon, Chuncheon, and Jeonju.
I took the TOPIK in April, 2008, and scored level two: I had 90% or more on reading, grammar, and vocabulary, but scored in the 70s for writing. Years ago there were six different tests for six different levels. However, there are now only three tests: levels one and two are combined, three and four combined, and five and six combined. If you take the beginner level---초급, levels one and two---and score over 70%, you earn level two; between 50% and 69% and you earn level one. The other two levels are organized the same way, and it's worth mentioning if you score less than a 50% on any portion, you aren't awarded any level. The beginner-level exam has pretty easy stuff---like matching pictures of chairs and eyeglasses with the Korean words---but there is a big jump up to the intermediate level. You'll find a breakdown of expectations for each level here, in Korean.
Anyway, one way to prepare is to look over old exams available on this page from the TOPIK site.
I've posted about the test nearly every time registration has rolled around these past few years, and a post over the summer generated a lot of responses about the usefulness of studying Korean and the point of taking---and studying toward---proficiency exams, if you're interested. I used comments to it and to the post on the controversial "Misuda" episode about, among other things, white guys who don't learn Korean for an August 11th Joongang Ilbo compilation, "Learning Korean an intimidating task for expats."
11 comments:
Thanks for providing this information, Brian. It's a much-appreciated reminder!
Is the test almost all in English like the English tests are almost all in Korean here?
After you take the test, do you get a pin? Or a plaque or something? What is the incentive? Does it look good on job applications?
Where do you actually use this test?
You're right about the jump from level 2 to 3. In the summer I did a practice version of the beginner level and did really well (scores around 90%), so I moved on to the intermediate level the week after. After three hours, I'd answered 12 of about 50 questions on the first part, and all of them were wrong. My teacher said she'd have to learn more English to help me with the intermediate level.
Corsair,
I can't speak for others, but I'm taking the test to qualify for an F5 visa. To qualify, I need to pass Level 3.
I have an E2 visa now. If I have an F5 visa, I will be free of my agency.
I am single, so don't have the visa benefits that those expats with a Korean spouse have. This test is my ticket.
I'm taking the test to qualify for an F5 visa. To qualify, I need to pass Level 3.
Since when has that become a requirement? F5 visas have not had language requirements before. Citizenship, yes. Residency, no.
The book the Complete Guide to the TOPIK by Seoul Language Academy has sample tests, an answer key and explanations in English as well as translations of the reading and listening section, etc.
I found this from Korea.net "If a non-Korean national has lived in Korea for more than three years with professional expertise in some specific fields, such as science or business management, as well as a 4-year degree from an accredited university or higher education level, or has lived in the country for more than five years as a professor, teacher or trader, they can also qualify to get an F-5 visa. The criteria are: a minimum number of consecutive years (usually five) working either at the same job or on the same visa; a clean criminal record; proof of personal income that is double the GNI of Korea (according to the Bank of Korea, in 2007 this was $20,045); a pass in at least level 3 of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK)."
So I guess that is for residency??
As for the usage outside of Korea, I think it is mainly for certification to a certain level. I mean for those of us who have lived here (Korea) for a long time, what level are you can you speak at? Could you put that on a job application?
With taking this test at least you can say that you can speak at a certain level and have some proof. It is like any language test, it is just proof that you can speak to the level that you say you can (on paper). However useful this is to you depend on what you use it for.
In January I was surprised to learn from somebody---don't know if he's right---that TOPIK level 3 is the language requirement for citizenship (among other things, of course). I figured they'd want at least level 5 or something.
I don't see why you couldn't put this on a resume. Maybe people don't care about Korean language ability, but it's a nice way to have something tangible to show for your years in Korea and your language ability. Rather than writing something like "speak a little Korean," putting Level 2 or Level 3 will demonstrate that you are not only on a standardized level, but that you put forth the time to take a test (and presumably study for it).
If it weren't such a hassle to get to the testing centers in the US, I'd do it again.
You all dont know me from Adam, but Ill state my position.
I speak Korean. I dont know what level Im at, but Ive been asked to be on tv and radio several times. Ive refused everytime because I dont think its worth it, and the money is less than teaching p++v++tes (I didnt say that!). I think to get a position here, esp as a foreigner, its better to have a face to face meeting or know someone, that, lets face it, if you speak decent Korean here, will get the word around very fast.
now, the f5 visa thing is a different beast..
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