TOPIK awards six levels based on your total marks in the exam. Understanding exactly what each level demonstrates — and which visa, scholarship, or career door it opens — is essential before you begin Korean language preparation as an Indian candidate.
TOPIK I: Levels 1 and 2 (Beginner)
TOPIK I tests only Listening and Reading (no Writing). Level 1 is awarded for scores of 80–139 out of 200, mapping roughly to CEFR A1. It represents basic survival Korean — greetings, simple questions, elementary reading of signs and short messages. Level 2 is awarded for scores of 140–200 out of 200, mapping to CEFR A2. Level 2 has practical significance for EPS-TOPIK industrial worker pathway eligibility and for the K-culture enthusiast who wants a formal benchmark. Neither Level 1 nor Level 2 carries substantial university admission or professional visa value for Indian candidates targeting Korea as a study or work destination — they are preparation milestones on the way to TOPIK II.
TOPIK II: Levels 3 and 4 (Intermediate)
TOPIK II (Listening + Reading + Writing, 300 marks total) awards Levels 3–6. Level 3 (120–149 marks) corresponds to CEFR B1 — the floor for GKS graduate scholarship applications at many universities and a useful addition to E-7 skilled worker visa applications. Level 4 (150–189 marks, CEFR B2) is the standard undergraduate university admission benchmark at most Korean institutions and the level at which Indian IT professionals can participate productively in Korean workplace communication. Level 4 is the most impactful single TOPIK target for most Indian candidates.
TOPIK II: Levels 5 and 6 (Advanced)
Level 5 (190–229 marks, CEFR C1) is required for graduate programme admission at most Korean universities for Korean-medium instruction and for professional roles where Korean is the primary working language. Level 6 (230–300 marks, CEFR C2) represents near-native Korean proficiency — required for academic and medical professional roles, senior management positions, and the highest academic admissions. TOPIK certificates are valid for two years from the result date for most official purposes. Indian candidates should plan their TOPIK preparation with their specific target level and timeline in mind, ensuring they are exam-ready before the registration window for their target sitting.
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