TOPIK II Scoring & Levels

Q: How is TOPIK II scored?

TOPIK II is scored out of 300 points (PBT) across three sections: listening (100), writing (100), and reading (100). Your total score determines your level. There are no per-section minimums. Score 120 or above and you earn at least Level 3.

Q: What score do you need for each TOPIK level?

On the PBT (out of 300): Level 3 requires 120, Level 4 requires 150, Level 5 requires 190, and Level 6 requires 230. On the IBT (out of 600): Level 3 requires 240, Level 4 requires 300, Level 5 requires 380, and Level 6 requires 460.

Q: What is TOPIK Level 4 used for?

TOPIK Level 4 is the standard requirement for graduate programs in Korea and is commonly cited for E-7 professional work visas. It demonstrates the ability to use Korean in most workplace and academic contexts.

Q: Can you compensate for a weak writing score on TOPIK II?

Yes. Since there are no per-section minimums, test-takers who are weaker in writing can compensate with strong listening and reading scores. Your total combined score determines your level.

Last updated March 20264 min read

TOPIK II is scored out of 300 points across three sections: listening (100), writing (100), and reading (100). Your total score determines your level. There are no per-section minimums. Score 120 or above and you earn at least Level 3.

Level Thresholds (PBT)

Level	Minimum Score	Out of
Level 3	120	300
Level 4	150	300
Level 5	190	300
Level 6	230	300

If your score falls between two thresholds, you receive the lower level. For example, 149 points earns Level 3, not Level 4. Below 120, no level is awarded.

How Each Section is Scored

Listening (50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes) and reading (50 multiple-choice questions, 70 minutes) are scored objectively. Each correct answer is worth 2 points.

Writing (50 minutes) includes 2 fill-in-the-blank tasks and 2 essays: a short descriptive essay (200–300 characters) and a longer argumentative essay (600–700 characters). Writing is graded subjectively and is often the section that determines whether a test-taker reaches Level 5 or 6.

IBT Scoring

The computer-based test (IBT) uses a different scale: TOPIK II IBT is scored out of 600 points instead of 300. The level thresholds are adjusted accordingly. Both formats award the same levels (3–6), and the certification is identical regardless of whether you took PBT or IBT.

Practice TOPIK II Take a mock exam

What Each Level Qualifies You For

Level 3

Minimum for undergraduate admission at most Korean universities. Required for KGSP (Korean Government Scholarship Program) eligibility. Sufficient for basic professional communication.

Level 4

Standard requirement for graduate programs in Korea. Commonly cited for E-7 professional work visas. Shows the ability to use Korean in most workplace and academic contexts.

Level 5

Required by top-tier universities for Korean-taught programs. Awards the maximum 20 points on the F-2-7 points-based visa. Accepted by most employers as proof of professional-level Korean.

Level 6

The highest TOPIK certification. Required for certain government and public sector positions. Shows near-native comprehension and expression.

TOPIK and Immigration

TOPIK scores are used in several Korean visa applications. The F-2-7 points-based resident visa requires 80 total points across all categories; TOPIK Level 5 or higher contributes 20 points toward that total. For student visas (D-2), Level 2–3 is typically required.

F-5 permanent residency: For most F-5 applications, KIIP Level 5 completion or passing KIPRAT is now required. TOPIK alone is generally not sufficient. However, a valid TOPIK score can be used to enter KIIP Level 5 directly and take the KIPRAT exam, and some F-5 subcategories (specialized talent, investment) may have different requirements. Many older guides list TOPIK Level 5 as the sole requirement; this is outdated.

How to Prepare

Since there are no per-section minimums, test-takers who are weaker in writing can compensate with strong listening and reading scores. Focused practice on past exam questions builds familiarity with the question formats and pacing.

Solvi provides free practice for TOPIK II listening and reading with 1,000+ questions from 11 official past exams. Practice TOPIK II, or take a timed mock exam to see your score breakdown by section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do you need for each TOPIK level?

On PBT (out of 300): Level 3 = 120, Level 4 = 150, Level 5 = 190, Level 6 = 230. On IBT (out of 600): Level 3 = 240, Level 4 = 300, Level 5 = 380, Level 6 = 460.

Are there per-section minimum scores on TOPIK II?

No. Your total combined score across listening, writing, and reading determines your level. You can compensate for a weaker section with stronger ones.

What is TOPIK Level 4 used for?

Level 4 is the standard requirement for graduate programs in Korea and is commonly cited for E-7 professional work visas.

Is the IBT scoring different from PBT?

IBT is scored out of 600 instead of 300, but the thresholds are proportionally scaled. The difficulty is the same and the certification is identical.

Last updated: March 20, 2026