Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mithridates]

Sure. It's held some three or so times a year, and is quite cheap. It costs 11000 for the lower levels, 15000 for the higher ones, and 35000 for the highest. There are eight levels and the amount of hanja you have to know is as follows:
lv 8 - 50
lv 7 - 150
lv 6 - 300
lv 5 - 500
lv 4 - 750
lv 3 - 1000
lv 3II - 1400
lv 3 - 1807
lv 2 - 2350
lv 1 - 3500

I think that's about right. A month or so before the test is the difficult part, because you have to find the place to apply, and they only do it for three days, usually on a weekday, and you'll have to go to a university somewhere to do it. I live in Sanbon so I did mine at Hansei Univ. down here, but depending on where you live you'll have to go somewhere else. The good thing is that you won't have to go far to take it. People in Shinchon take it at a place close to Shinchon, people where I live take it at a place close to Sanbon, and so on.
Most of the people taking it are kids so it might feel a bit awkward but that's the way it is I guess.
As for study materials, you can find them at just about any bookstore. A textbook usually costs 10000W, and usually it's best to pick up two or three for variety...
I'll be back in Korea the end of the month and if you can come down to Sanbon I can even show you some things in person, so pm me if you wish.
As for the characters being different, at least they're usually different in the same way. One part of a character that looks different in Korean will differ in the same way in another character as well if you know what I mean...I think Korea should simplify their hanja though if they want to start using them in daily life again though.

[Starperson]

They always read over each other's shoulders. If you're writing they try to read it.