I studied Korean (TOPIK) for 8 months and got ZERO certification — here's why

I took TOPIK II thinking "Level 3 should be easy." Scored 118. The passing score for Level 3 is 120.

No certificate. No level. Eight months of studying — officially nothing.

Turns out if you score below 120 on TOPIK II, you don't get Level 2 or 1 — you get nothing. I should have taken TOPIK I first.

Here's what nobody told me:

- TOPIK I (beginner) = Levels 1-2 only

- TOPIK II (intermediate+) = Levels 3-6 only

- Score below the minimum on TOPIK II? You walk away with 0.

The other thing: Question 54 (the long essay) is worth 50 points — half the writing section. I barely practiced essays.

If you're planning to take TOPIK for university admission (Level 3-4), GKS scholarship benefits (Level 5-6), or work permit (Level 2-3), read this first: How to Ace the TOPIK Test

2026 test dates, registration deadlines, level requirements, and the exact study strategy for each level.