TOPIK Korean Level 1: What It Tests, How to Prep, and What Passing Means
TOPIK Level 1 is the entry tier of the Test of Proficiency in Korean. It's reached by scoring 80-139 on TOPIK I. This guide explains the vocabulary and grammar it covers, sample tasks, and a realistic study plan for a complete beginner.
TOPIK Level 1 is the entry tier of the Test of Proficiency in Korean. It's reached by scoring 80-139 on TOPIK I. This guide explains the vocabulary and grammar it covers, sample tasks, and a realistic study plan for a complete beginner.
TOPIK Level 1 is the entry tier of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능력시험, Hanguk-eo Neungryeok Siheom). You earn Level 1 by scoring between 80 and 139 points on the TOPIK I exam (Levels 1 and 2 share a single test; your score determines which level you qualify for). It certifies you can handle very basic Korean — introductions, simple daily life phrases, essential particles and endings.
What TOPIK Level 1 actually tests
A Level 1 passer is expected to:
- Recognize and write Hangul fluently
- Understand a vocabulary of roughly 800 common words
- Use basic grammar: subject/object/topic particles, the polite present tense (
-아/어요-a/eoyo), formal ending (-ㅂ/습니다-ㅂ/seupnida), past tense (-았/었-at/eot), and a handful of connectors (-고-go,-지만-jiman) - Handle survival topics: greetings, family, food, shopping, transportation, hobbies
The test itself (TOPIK I) has two sections:
Each section is 100 points; together 200. You need 80+ total to pass Level 1 and 140+ to pass Level 2.
Sample task you'll see
A typical Level 1 listening item sounds like:
여자: 지금 뭐 해요? 남자: 친구를 만나요.
Question: 남자는 지금 뭐 해요? (What is the man doing now?)
A typical reading item shows a short ad or notice and asks "When is the event?" or "Where is the place?" Visual cues help enormously.
A realistic study plan
If you're starting from zero Hangul, give yourself three months of consistent study:
- Month 1 — Hangul to fluent reading speed. Memorize the basic ~200 high-frequency words. Learn particles (은/는, 이/가, 을/를).
- Month 2 — Polite present tense and past tense. Push vocab to 500 words. Do one listening clip per day at slow speed.
- Month 3 — Past practice tests under time. Identify weak topics (often listening speed). Scale vocab to 800 words.
Use free past papers published by NIIED, the official TOPIK administrator.
Korean words to know by test day
- 시험 (siheom) — exam / test
- 문제 (munje) — question
- 정답 (jeongdap) — correct answer
- 단어 (daneo) — vocabulary / word
- 연습 (yeonseup) — practice
Related on Korean TokTok
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
