TOPIK Speaking Complete Guide (Schedule, levels, timetable, format)

TOPIK Speaking Complete Guideline with Schedule  

TOPIK Speaking is introduced in 2021 to help learners improve their ability to communicate in Korean. The test is conducted together with the conventional TOPIK test that measures proficiency of learners in reading, writing, and listening comprehension in the Korean language. 

For details about the conventional TOPIK test, please refer to this page: Complete TOPIK Guideline (with Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Purpose of the TOPIK Speaking test

- To guide those learning Korean as a second language to study in a way that helps improve their ability to communicate in Korean

- To evaluate the test-taker’s communication skills in Korean and allow them to use their test results in filing college applications, job applications, etc.

2. Eligibility

- Overseas Korean or non-Korean whose first language is not Korean and who:

- is currently learning Korean or wishes to study at a Korean college;

- wishes to work for a Korean company or public agency based in or outside Korea.

- Korean national who is currently studying at or has graduated from a school abroad

3. Valid Until

Valid for 2 years from the announcement of the test score

4. Use of the test result

- To enter a Korean college or graduate school and receive a scholarship in the case of foreigners or overseas Koreans who have completed 12 years of schooling abroad

- To be hired by a Korean company and obtain an excellent performance assessment result.

- To apply for a visa to stay in Korea

5. Test Schedule

For updated schedule, please refer to: TOPIK Speaking Schedule

* The TOPIK speaking test fee is 80,000 won

* Test schedule is subjected to be changed depending on regions and time differences.

6. Test timetable

Test category	Enter test room by	Start	End
TOPIK I IBT	08:20	9:00	10:25
TOPIK II IBT	11:50	12:30	15:00

Test category	Enter test room by	Start	End
TOPIK Speaking	16:20	17:00	17:30

* TOPIK Speaking is conducted on the same day after the end of the TOPIK II IBT. 

* This is a domestic timetable, and overseas tests can be changed depending on the circumstances of the test site.

7. Question type (TOPIK Speaking format)

 

For details about a sample TOPIK Speaking test with answers, please refer to this page:

TOPIK Speaking Sample Test with Answers 

Below is the TOPIK Speaking test format: 

Question	Question type	Prep time	Response time
1	Listen to and answer a simple question related to an everyday situation	20sec	30sec
2	Listen to a simple question and answer based on an image related to a familiar social situation	30sec	40sec
3	Describe the situation or actions depicted in a series of images	40sec	60sec
4	Listen to a dialog and answer the question	40sec	60sec
5	Read and interpret the information on a given topic	70sec	80sec
6	Express opinion on the given topic	70sec	80sec

 

8. Test Evaluation factor

Content and task performance:     

- Did he/she express him/herself appropriately for the given topic?

- Did he/she faithfully perform the given task?

- Did the dialog flow in an organized and coherent manner?

Command of the language:

- Did he/she use appropriate language considering the context of the dialog?

- Did he/she use rich and diverse vocabulary and expressions?

- Did he/she use his/her vocabulary and expressions in an accurate way?

Pronunciation and delivery:

- Was his/her speech comprehensible (satisfactory pronunciation and intonation)?

- Did he/she speak at a natural pace?

 

9. TOPIK Speaking Levels (Grade system)

TOPIK Speaking Test is scored based on a scoring system developed by applying the item response theory, a modern measurement theory. The score range is 0 to 200 points.

TOPIK Speaking
Level	Fail	1	2	3	4	5	6
Score	0~19	20~49	50~89	90~109	110~129	130~159	160~200

 

TOPIK Speaking level guideline:

TOPIK Speaking Level 1:

- The individual is able to provide simple answers to questions about family, everyday topics.

- The individual has extremely limited command of the language and often makes mistakes.

- The individual sounds very unnatural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and/or speed and has a problem conveying what he/she wants to say.

TOPIK Speaking Level 2:

- The individual is able to ask and answer questions about everyday topics in frequently encountered situations.

- The individual has limited command of the language, is unable to use words, etc. that are appropriate for the situation at times, and often makes mistakes.

- The individual sounds unnatural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and/or speed and has somewhat of a problem conveying what he/she wants to say.

TOPIK Speaking Level 3:

- The individual is able to speak in a relatively concrete manner regarding familiar social issues.

- The individual makes mistakes from time to time but is relatively capable of using somewhat various words and expressions according to the context of the dialog in most cases.

- The individual sounds slightly unnatural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and/or speed but does not have a major problem conveying what he/she wants to say.

TOPIK Speaking Level 4:

- The individual is able to speak in a concrete and organized way regarding some social issues.

- The individual makes mistakes from time to time but is capable of using various words and expressions according to the context of the dialog in most cases.

- The individual sounds relatively natural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and speed and thus has little trouble conveying what he/she wants to say.

TOPIK Speaking Level 5:

- The individual is able to speak relatively logically and coherently regarding social issues and some abstract topics.

- The individual occasionally makes mistakes but is capable of using various words and expressions according to the context of the dialog.

- The individual, in most cases, sounds natural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and speed and thus boasts good delivery.

TOPIK Speaking Level 6:

- The individual is able to speak logically and persuasively regarding social issues and abstract topics.

- The individual rarely makes any mistakes and can freely vary his/her vocabulary and syntax (sentence structures) according to the context of the dialog.

- The individual sounds natural in terms of pronunciation, intonation and speed and thus boasts excellent delivery.