Key facts
| TOPIK I (paper), 200 points | Level 1: 80 to 139. Level 2: 140 to 200 [1] |
|---|---|
| TOPIK II (paper), 300 points | Level 3: 120 to 149. Level 4: 150 to 189. Level 5: 190 to 229. Level 6: 230 to 300 [1] |
| How the level is decided | Total of all section scores only. No per-section minimum since the 35th test (2014). [1] |
| Below 80 (TOPIK I) or 120 (TOPIK II) | No level awarded, but a score report is still issued [1] |
How is a TOPIK level decided?
Your section scores are added up, and the total alone decides the level. The Ministry of Education's 2026 plan states it plainly: the level is decided by the total of the section scores.
You register for TOPIK I or TOPIK II, not for a level. TOPIK I can only produce level 1 or 2, and TOPIK II only level 3 to 6. If you sit TOPIK II and score 110, you get no level, even though 110 would be a comfortable level 1 on TOPIK I.
There is no minimum per section: a weak writing score can be offset by strong listening and reading as long as the total clears the line. The per-section minimum was dropped when TOPIK I and II were introduced at the 35th test on 20 July 2014. Everyone who sits the test gets a score report, whether or not a level was reached.
What are the score ranges on the paper test?
TOPIK I is scored out of 200 (listening 100, reading 100). TOPIK II is scored out of 300 (listening 100, writing 100, reading 100).
| Test | Maximum | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | 200 | 80 to 139 | 140 to 200 | ||||
| TOPIK II | 300 | 120 to 149 | 150 to 189 | 190 to 229 | 230 to 300 |
These cut-offs have been stable for years. Section timing and item counts are in the exam format guide.
What are the score ranges on the computer test (IBT)?
The IBT uses different scales: TOPIK I IBT is out of 400 and TOPIK II IBT out of 600. Level 1 begins at 121 and level 2 at 236; level 3 begins at 191, level 4 at 291, level 5 at 361 and level 6 at 431.
| Test | Maximum | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I (IBT) | 400 | 121 to 235 | 236 to 400 | ||||
| TOPIK II (IBT) | 600 | 191 to 290 | 291 to 360 | 361 to 430 | 431 to 600 |
Do not compare IBT points with paper points one to one: the scales and item counts differ. The IBT cut-offs changed between the 2025 and 2026 plans, so pages that still show the earlier numbers are out of date. TOPIK Speaking has its own 200-point scale (level 1 from 20, level 6 from 160) and does not replace TOPIK I or II.
What can you do at each TOPIK level?
NIIED publishes a short description for each level, from survival Korean at level 1 to accurate, fluent professional use at level 6.
| Level | What the descriptor says |
|---|---|
| 1 | Survival Korean: introductions, shopping, ordering food. About 800 basic words. |
| 2 | Phone calls, requests, the post office and the bank. Paragraph-level use on familiar topics. About 1,500 to 2,000 words. |
| 3 | No major difficulty in daily life. Familiar social topics at paragraph level. Basic written vs spoken distinction. |
| 4 | Public facilities, social relationships, some general work tasks. Relatively easy news, common idioms, Korean culture. |
| 5 | Some professional or research use. Unfamiliar topics in politics, economy, society and culture. Register suited to context. |
| 6 | Relatively accurate and fluent professional use. Not native level, but no difficulty performing tasks. |
Which level do universities, the GKS and visas ask for?
For Korean-taught undergraduate programs, TOPIK 3 is the usual entry minimum and TOPIK 4 is common for graduation. The 2026 GKS gives extra points from TOPIK 3. Always check the current guide of the institution.
- Seoul National University (Spring 2027, international undergraduates): TOPIK 3 on paper or IBT, or level 4 at a Korean university language centre; English scores accepted as an alternative.
- Korea University (Fall 2026): any valid TOPIK score is accepted, but TOPIK 5 or higher means no extra Korean classes, TOPIK 4 means one semester of intensive Korean with at most 6 major credits, and TOPIK 3 or lower means two semesters without major courses.
- Kyungpook National University (Fall 2026): TOPIK 3 to enter (15 of 23 departments with their own rule ask for TOPIK 4); international freshmen must reach TOPIK 4 before graduating.
- Global Korea Scholarship 2026: TOPIK 3 or higher earns extra points worth 10% of the total, TOPIK 5 or 6 lets scholars skip the one-year language course, and every scholar must reach at least TOPIK 3 (some departments TOPIK 4) to start the degree.
- D-2 student visa: at visa-restricted universities, TOPIK 3 is required for associate degrees and TOPIK 4 for bachelor's degrees and above (TOPIK 2 for exchange students); at certified and general universities a certificate earns preference but is not mandatory (document of 26 September 2024).
- KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program): a valid TOPIK certificate places you directly into a stage, from stage 2 with TOPIK 1 to stage 5 with TOPIK 4 to 6.
In February 2026 the Ministries of Education and Justice announced that language standards under the university internationalization accreditation (IEQAS) will rise gradually from 2026, without publishing TOPIK thresholds.
Which wrong numbers keep circulating?
Several popular pages list cut-offs that do not exist. The numbers to trust are the ones in the Ministry of Education's yearly plan.
- A competitor's landing page lists 160, 180, 230 and 260 as the TOPIK II targets. The published cut-offs are 120, 150, 190 and 230.
- An app-review blog says 80 or more on TOPIK I earns level 2. In fact 80 to 139 is level 1; level 2 begins at 140.
- Some guides still show the earlier IBT cut-offs, and some learners believe each section has a minimum. Use the 2026 values above; only the total counts.
How does TopikIQ estimate your level?
TopikIQ shows an estimated score and pass chance once you have answered 20 practice questions in each scored section. It is an estimate from practice answers, not an official result.
You can practice at every level on the free plan (20 questions a day in sessions of 10), with an explanation in your language for each question. The questions are original TOPIK-style questions, not past exam papers, and TopikIQ is not affiliated with NIIED.
Related guides: What is TOPIK?, exam format, how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Is 80 points on TOPIK I a level 2?
No. 80 to 139 points is level 1. Level 2 begins at 140 out of 200.
Can I fail one section and still get a level?
Yes. Only the total counts. There has been no per-section minimum since the 35th test in July 2014.