Today I registered for the 63rd TOPIK! I can’t believe I did that…

For those that don’t know, the TOPIK is a an official exam that tests your Korean language abilities. There are two tests: the TOPIK I and the TOPIK II. In the TOPIK I exam, you can potentially earn a level 1 or 2, and by taking the TOPIK II, you can earn a level 3, 4, 5, or 6, with 6 being the highest level of ability. The test measures, reading, writing, and listening abilities, and in the near future, it will also measure speaking! So it’s really a huge undertaking that requires lots of preparation. Getting a good TOPIK score has many applications in real life. You can use it to prove your proficiency when applying for Korean universities, when trying to get a job in Korea, and it can help you change your visa status. And of course, it serves as really great motivation to keep studying Korean.

The sign up process was simpler than I anticipated. I followed the steps provided by TopikGuide.com. I also watched this video for additional guidance. The only part I struggled with was the photo. I stupidly forgot to research the application process beforehand and didn’t know that I needed to submit a photo! I frantically took a selfie and downloaded editing apps to turn it into a “good-enough” passport photo before uploading it to the site. It worked out in the end but I really should have prepared that ahead of time. I was shocked to see that there was a limited number of spots available for test takers and that it was filling up sooo quickly! Luckily, I was able to get one of the last spots at a university not too far from where I live. Then there was the task of paying for the registration, which was not too convoluted (compared to other Korean sites).

I breathed a sigh of relief after I successfully signed up…but now comes the daunting task of actually preparing for the exam! I’ve been thinking about signing up for the TOPIK for a reaallllyyyy long time now. I always had the vague idea that one day I’d like to try it out, and one day very far away I’d like to get a level 6, but it always seemed like a distant dream. Now, I’ve got exactly three months left to get myself ready for my first ever TOPIK! I’ve studied a lot in the past and passed a handful of exams in order to complete the KIIP program, but I don’t that has really prepared me for what’s in store. So on my first try, I’m not expecting a great score. Honestly, I’m not even expecting a good score. But I will try my best!

I guess I’ll be posting plenty of study-related blogs here for the next three months as I prepare for TOPIK II! To anyone else who also signed up today, good luck in your preparations!

Thanks for reading~!