Korean Job Discussion Forums

[just because]

It appears there are 3 main ones...

these being
1.KLPT(korean language proficiency test)
2.KPT (korean proficiency test)
3.TOPIK(test of proficiency in Korean)

My question is which one is best recognized by the universities,etc in korea.....which one is the most useful???

[Cheonmunka]

I've always thought the KLPT the most widely known.

[Hater Depot]

TOPIK and KPT are the same, no?

Anyway, I have taken TOPIK and prepared for KLPT.

As for TOPIK, the first two levels are very easy. The third is much more difficult -- a really big jump from the second level. The fifth and sixth are bloody hard. The essays are difficult as you have only a small space in which to write about a big topic.

The KLPT is much, much easier than TOPIK.


Anyway, you can buy all the prep books at the major bookstores. The Youngpoong Bookstore in Jongno had two books of previous TOPIK tests (all levels) last time I went there. Each book has the test from each level, so you get 6 exams with one book. The KLPT only publishes three prep books that I know of. I've still got the basic one if you want it.

[Gwangjuboy]

I am taking the TOPIK test in April. I wanted to do level 5 but they have now merged it with level 6 so it would probably too difficult for me. The TOPIK test now has three levels; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. If you take intermediate and get over a 50% point average you get a level 3 certificate and if you get a points average of over 70% on average you get a level 4 certificate. I think the TOPIK test is harder because your vocabulary has to be extensive (even from lower intermediate) and the grammar sections can be really tricky. Apparently the government sponsors it too.

[just because]

Thanks for the answers guys but that doesn't quite answer my question...

Which one is the better test to go for????
BTW...i have the KPT books and could pass level 4 pretty easily but i tried level 5, i think i need a year or 2 yet. it was a big jump

[Mashimaro]

[Gwangjuboy]

[just because]

[Gwangjuboy]

I have been told that the TOPIK test receives more official recognition.

[excitinghead]

A friend and I recently had the same problems trying to figure out the differences, it doesn't even say on the websites for either TOPIK or the KLPT, and you have to dig around a LOT (and know a lot of Korean already) to find ONE person in the Q&A section asking the same thing, and after all that the answer didn't clarify much.

From the websites I get the impression that they are arranged by two almost rival language centers, as they are both on the SAME DAY (at different Universities, in Busan anyway). I think most applicants to either would probably want to take both if they could, especially as TOPIK used to be only once a year, and so the only reason to account for the stupidity of having them on the same day that I can see is some stupid grudge they have or something.

I've got a Korean teacher friend who has a friend who teaches the KLPT. I'll ask her to call her when I see her tomorrow and let you know what the official difference is.

In the meantime, like Hater Depot said, I'm about 99% sure that the KPT is TOPIK, the confusion is probably because TOPIK in Korean (한국어 능력 시험) literally translates as Korean Proficiency Test.

I'm also 99% sure that most Universities require it for foreign students to enter them. Last time I did the intermediate, in Busan, I was the only Westener, and was so out of place that all the Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese students kept pointing me out. It also explains the unbelievable in your face cheating, as the students needed to pass to get in or else, and Korean Universities get most of their cash from the students, so the "supervisors" did absolutely nothing about it...no wait, they did do something...they kept their eyes on my bald head for the entire test. It must have dazzled them or something, because they missed all the pieces of paper being thrown over it.