What Is TOPIK 1?
TOPIK 1 is the first of the two papers in the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK, 한국어능력시험). Korean calls the test 한국어능력시험 (hangugeoneungnyeoksiheom), and TOPIK 1 and TOPIK I are two names for the same paper. It tests listening and reading only, so it measures what you understand, not what you can say or write. Roughly speaking, it suits learners at A1 to A2 on the CEFR scale (an approximate match, because no official table links the two).
The score decides the level. You add your listening and reading scores into one total out of 200, and the total gives your level. According to the official TOPIK guide on topik.go.kr, 80 points gives Level 1 and 140 points gives Level 2. There is no separate pass mark per section, and a total below 80 gives no level.
| Item | TOPIK 1 |
|---|---|
| Levels awarded | Level 1 and Level 2 |
| Sections | Listening and reading |
| Questions | 70 in total (30 listening, 40 reading) |
| Time | 100 minutes in total (40 and 60) |
| Maximum score | 200 points |
| Level 1 | 80 points or more |
| Level 2 | 140 points or more |
| Writing and speaking | Not included |
The progress chart below shows where the two cut scores sit on the 200-point scale.
TOPIK 1 is a good first goal because it matches the end of the beginner stage. Scores are valid for two years from the results announcement, according to the official site, so time the test when you need the certificate. Because this section is about one paper, the next step is to see which page answers your question.
Pages in This Subhub
Five pages cover TOPIK 1, and a sixth page covers its grammar. Read them in this order if you are new: format first, then the two level pages, then words and grammar, then the plan. If you already know the format, go straight to the part you need.
Format and Levels
- TOPIK 1 exam format. The two sections in detail: a 40-minute listening section with 30 questions and a 60-minute reading section with 40 questions, with question types, pacing and answer-sheet rules. Start here before you study anything else.
- TOPIK level 1. What a score of 80 to 139 means, what a Level 1 learner can do and how long it usually takes to reach it.
- TOPIK level 2. What a score of 140 or more means, how Level 2 compares with CEFR A2 and what separates it from Level 1.
Vocabulary and Grammar
- TOPIK 1 vocabulary list. An editorial list of essential words grouped into everyday topics, with audio and example sentences, because TOPIK publishes no official word list. Recognition matters more than spelling, since the test has no writing.
- TOPIK 1 grammar list. Thirty-two core patterns in five groups, from particles to connectors, each with an example and a link to a full lesson. It is also listed in the TOPIK grammar subhub.
Passing
- How to pass TOPIK 1. A practical eight-week plan of 30 to 45 minutes a day, with weekly goals, timed mock tests and a score tracker.
A short chooser helps you open the right page first.
| Your situation | Open first | Then |
|---|---|---|
| "I have never seen the test." | TOPIK 1 exam format | TOPIK level 1 |
| "I want to know what score I need." | TOPIK level 2 | How to pass TOPIK 1 |
| "I want to start studying words." | TOPIK 1 vocabulary list | TOPIK 1 grammar list |
| "I have a test date." | How to pass TOPIK 1 | Timed mock tests |
The tests, scores and levels are only part of the exam story, so the next section marks what this subhub leaves out.
What Is Not Covered Here?
This subhub covers TOPIK 1 only: its format, levels 1 and 2, the words and grammar to study and a plan to pass. It does not cover TOPIK II, which awards levels 3 to 6 and includes a writing section. For that paper, see TOPIK II, and for a side-by-side choice between the two, see the difference between TOPIK 1 and 2.
Practical matters such as exam dates, registration steps, fees and test centres change every year and are not repeated here. Use TOPIK exam dates and TOPIK registration as guides, and confirm everything on topik.go.kr, which is the official source. For the full list of TOPIK pages, go back to the TOPIK hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TOPIK 1 enough for a Korean visa?
Sometimes, but there is no single answer. Some visa and study routes ask for a TOPIK level, and the level and the rule differ by visa type and change over time. Check the current requirement on the official site of the Korean immigration authorities or with your embassy before you plan.
How many words do I need for TOPIK 1?
TOPIK publishes no official word list for candidates. Teachers and textbooks commonly cite estimates of roughly 800 words for Level 1 and 1,500 to 2,000 for Level 2; these are not official figures, so check the level descriptions on topik.go.kr. Recognising words matters more than spelling them, because the test has no writing.
Does TOPIK 1 have writing?
No. TOPIK 1 has a listening section and a reading section only, and every question is multiple choice. Writing is part of TOPIK II. A separate speaking test exists outside the standard paper, so check topik.go.kr if you need it.
What is a passing score on TOPIK 1?
TOPIK has no pass or fail mark. Your total out of 200 gives a level: 80 points or more gives Level 1, and 140 points or more gives Level 2. A total below 80 gives no level. There is no minimum for each section, but confirm the current rule on topik.go.kr.