Free Practice Questions for TOPIK I
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Key Facts: TOPIK I Exam
TOPIK I has 70 multiple-choice questions: 30 Listening (40 min) and 40 Reading (60 min), for 100 minutes total.
TOPIK I Level 1 requires a score of 80 or above out of 200; Level 2 requires 140 or above out of 200.
NIIED administers the paper-based TOPIK six times per year in South Korea (January, April, May, July, October, November).
The 2026 TOPIK I PBT fee in South Korea is 40,000 KRW; the IBT version costs 70,000 KRW.
TOPIK I certificates are valid for exactly two years from the official results release date.
TOPIK I vocabulary range is approximately 800 words for Level 1 and 1,500–2,000 words for Level 2.
TOPIK I has no writing section; TOPIK II (Levels 3–6) is the only level that includes written composition tasks.
Over 100 TOPIK exam sessions have been administered since 1997; the 109th session is scheduled for November 15, 2026.
TOPIK I is the beginner level of South Korea's official Korean proficiency test, with 70 all-multiple-choice questions across Listening (30 Qs) and Reading (40 Qs) scored out of 200; 80+ earns Level 1, 140+ earns Level 2.
Sample TOPIK I Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TOPIK I exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1[듣기] 다음 대화를 듣고 남자가 무엇을 사는지 고르세요. 여자: 어서 오세요. 무엇을 드릴까요? 남자: 사과 두 개하고 바나나 한 개 주세요. What is the man buying?
2[듣기] 다음 대화를 듣고 두 사람이 어디에 있는지 고르세요. 여자: 이 책 얼마예요? 남자: 만 오천 원이에요. 여자: 그럼 이것도 주세요. Where are the two people?
3[듣기] 다음을 듣고 이어질 말로 알맞은 것을 고르세요. 남자: 내일 같이 영화 볼래요? 여자: ______ Choose the most natural response for the woman.
4[듣기] 다음 대화를 듣고 여자의 직업을 고르세요. 남자: 어디서 일하세요? 여자: 저는 병원에서 일해요. 아픈 사람들을 도와요. What is the woman's job?
5[듣기] 다음을 듣고 남자가 좋아하는 음식을 고르세요. 여자: 무슨 음식을 좋아해요? 남자: 저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요. 특히 김치찌개를 자주 먹어요. What food does the man like?
6[듣기] 대화를 듣고 두 사람이 몇 시에 만나는지 고르세요. 여자: 오늘 몇 시에 만날까요? 남자: 저는 두 시까지 수업이 있어요. 세 시는 어때요? 여자: 좋아요. What time will they meet?
7[듣기] 다음을 듣고 날씨로 알맞은 것을 고르세요. 라디오: 오늘 서울 날씨입니다. 오전에는 맑겠지만 오후에는 비가 올 예정입니다. 우산을 준비하세요. What is the afternoon weather in Seoul?
8[듣기] 대화를 듣고 여자가 왜 늦었는지 고르세요. 남자: 왜 이렇게 늦었어요? 여자: 죄송해요. 버스를 못 탔어요. 다음 버스를 기다렸어요. Why was the woman late?
9[듣기] 대화를 듣고 남자가 주말에 할 일을 고르세요. 여자: 이번 주말에 뭐 해요? 남자: 친구 생일 파티가 있어요. 선물도 사야 해요. What will the man do this weekend?
10[듣기] 다음을 듣고 대화의 주제를 고르세요. 남자: 요즘 운동해요? 여자: 네, 매일 아침 30분씩 달려요. 건강에 좋더라고요. 남자: 저도 시작해야겠어요. What is the topic of the conversation?
About the TOPIK I Exam
The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is a standardized examination for non-native Korean speakers, administered globally by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under South Korea's Ministry of Education. TOPIK I is the beginner-level division covering Levels 1 and 2, equivalent to CEFR A1 and A2 respectively. The exam consists of exactly 70 multiple-choice questions across two sections: 30 questions in the Listening section (40 minutes) and 40 questions in the Reading section (60 minutes), with no writing component. Each section is scored out of 100 points for a maximum total of 200. Test takers scoring 80–139 receive Level 1 and those scoring 140 or above receive Level 2. TOPIK scores are valid for two years and are accepted for Korean university admission, employment at Korean companies, and certain visa and immigration purposes. In 2026, the paper-based TOPIK (PBT) is offered six times annually in Korea (January, April, May, July, October, November) and several times overseas, while the internet-based TOPIK (IBT) is offered separately in Korea.
Exam sponsor: National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, South Korea. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
70 questions
Time Limit
100 minutes total: 40 minutes Listening + 60 minutes Reading, in one session.
Passing Score
Level 1: 80 points or above (out of 200). Level 2: 140 points or above (out of 200).
Exam / Certification Fees
40,000 KRW paper-based (PBT) or 70,000 KRW computer-based (IBT) within South Korea (2026). Overseas fees set by local institutions; approximately $40 USD at US centers.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Listening Comprehension
30 questions testing comprehension of short dialogues, monologues, phone calls, announcements, and everyday conversations. Question types include: choose the correct response, identify the topic, select the matching picture, confirm content, and predict the next utterance.
Reading Comprehension
40 questions testing comprehension of signs, notices, advertisements, short passages, fill-in-the-blank grammar, sentence ordering, identifying main ideas, and inferring meaning. Beginner vocabulary (800–2,000 words) and core grammar patterns are tested.
Preparing for the TOPIK I Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Level 1: 80 points or above (out of 200). Level 2: 140 points or above (out of 200).
- Exam length: 70 questions
- Time limit: 100 minutes total: 40 minutes Listening + 60 minutes Reading, in one session.
- Exam / certification fees: 40,000 KRW paper-based (PBT) or 70,000 KRW computer-based (IBT) within South Korea (2026). Overseas fees set by local institutions; approximately $40 USD at US centers. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
TOPIK I: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TOPIK I and who should take it?
TOPIK I is the beginner level of the Test of Proficiency in Korean, administered by NIIED. It is designed for non-native Korean speakers at CEFR A1 or A2 level. It is recommended for those who have studied Korean for 3–12 months or need a beginner-level certificate for university language programs, basic visa requirements, or personal achievement.
How many questions are on TOPIK I and what types?
TOPIK I has 70 multiple-choice questions total: 30 in the Listening section (40 minutes) and 40 in the Reading section (60 minutes). All questions are 4-option multiple choice. There is no writing section in TOPIK I.
What score do I need to pass TOPIK I and what levels can I achieve?
TOPIK I awards Level 1 (80–139 points out of 200) or Level 2 (140–200 points). Both sections are scored out of 100 each. There is no 'fail' designation — any score below 80 simply means no level is awarded.
How often is TOPIK I offered in 2026?
The paper-based TOPIK (PBT) is offered six times in 2026 in Korea: January 11, April 11–12, May 17, July 4–5, October 17–18, and November 15. Overseas sessions are fewer — typically two to four times per year depending on country. The internet-based TOPIK (IBT) is also offered six times in 2026 in Korea.
How long is a TOPIK I certificate valid?
TOPIK certificates are valid for two years from the date results are officially released. Most universities, employers, and immigration offices do not accept certificates older than two years.
What is the difference between TOPIK I and TOPIK II?
TOPIK I is for beginners (Levels 1–2) and tests only Listening and Reading (70 questions, 100 minutes, 200 points). TOPIK II is for intermediate and advanced learners (Levels 3–6) and adds a Writing section (50 questions + 4 writing tasks, 180 minutes, 300 points). For university admission or work permits, TOPIK II Level 3 or higher is usually required.