he Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is a language proficiency test organized by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), which is part of the South Korean Ministry of Education. It is designed to assess the Korean language ability of non-native speakers, including foreigners and overseas Koreans. TOPIK is an important requirement for studying and working in Korea, and it is also a key way for Korean learners around the world to check their language skills. In 2025, there will be several changes and updates to the TOPIK exam. This article will explain these changes and the scope of the exam.

1. Exam Format and Number of Sessions

According to the 2025 TOPIK implementation plan released by the South Korean Ministry of Education, there will be 12 TOPIK exams in 2025. Out of these, 6 will be paper-based exams, and 6 will be computer-based exams. Additionally, the TOPIK Speaking test will be held 3 times.

A key change is that the number of Internet-Based Tests (IBT) will increase from 3 times a year to 6 times a year, and the number of countries offering the test will grow from 6 to 13. This means that test-takers will have more opportunities to choose the exam time and location that suits them, greatly improving convenience and flexibility.