TOPIK I vs TOPIK II: Which Test Should You Take?
Written by Erik Claesson · Founder of Chamelingo · Korean learner · Software engineer
TOPIK I and TOPIK II are not two stages you must take in order. They are two versions of the Korean proficiency test aimed at different ability ranges.
TOPIK I is for beginner learners and can award Level 1 or Level 2. TOPIK II is for intermediate and advanced learners and can award Levels 3 through 6. The practical question is not “Which one comes first?” but “Which test can measure the level I am trying to prove?”
For the current official test structure, NIIED lists TOPIK I as listening + reading and TOPIK II as listening + reading + writing. Both paper-based and IBT versions exist, with different question counts and scoring scales.
Quick comparison
Use the TOPIK score calculator to understand level cutoffs and the TOPIK mock test to see which question range feels realistic.
Choose TOPIK I if...
TOPIK I is usually the better choice when you are still building the foundations: Hangul reading speed, everyday vocabulary, core particles, basic tense forms, and short listening exchanges.
A good sign is that you can understand simple notices, schedules, short dialogues, and beginner reading passages but longer texts still require heavy translation. In that situation TOPIK I gives you a useful target without forcing you to prepare for a writing section you are not ready for.
Before registering, work through the beginner Korean guides, the core grammar reference, and timed TOPIK practice.
Choose TOPIK II if...
TOPIK II makes sense when you need Level 3 or above. You should already be able to follow connected Korean, read beyond sentence-by-sentence translation, and write at least short structured answers.
The biggest new demand is writing. Vocabulary breadth and reading speed also matter much more because TOPIK II passages become denser and more abstract.
If you can handle intermediate grammar but your score is being limited by one section, use the focused guides for TOPIK listening, TOPIK reading, and TOPIK II writing.
Do you need to pass TOPIK I first?
No. TOPIK levels are not a ladder of certificates you must collect in sequence. Someone who is already intermediate can take TOPIK II without first earning Level 1 or Level 2.
The important warning is the reverse: TOPIK II does not award TOPIK I levels. If you sit TOPIK II and do not reach the Level 3 cutoff, you do not receive Level 2 instead. That is why choosing the right test matters.
A simple decision rule
- Take a timed sample or mock test.
- If TOPIK I feels appropriately challenging, prepare for TOPIK I.
- If TOPIK I is comfortable and your goal requires Level 3+, start TOPIK II preparation.
- If TOPIK II reading is manageable but writing is the bottleneck, do not drop back automatically. Train the writing format.
Your target institution, employer, scholarship, or visa process may require a specific level, so always check the requirement itself rather than assuming “a TOPIK certificate” is enough.
What to study next
Tags: TOPIK · TOPIK I · TOPIK II · test prep · Korean level