Overview
TOPIK II Level 3 marks the transition from beginner to intermediate Korean. Unlike TOPIK I, this exam includes a Writing section (쓰기) that requires you to produce Korean text — filling in sentences, writing short paragraphs, and composing a 200-300 word essay. Level 3 certifies that you can perform most daily functions, understand straightforward news articles, and express opinions on familiar topics. It corresponds to CEFR B1.
Passing score: 120 out of 300 total points (combined Listening + Writing + Reading).
Level 3 is commonly required for enrollment in Korean university undergraduate programs and for certain employment categories under the Employment Permit System (EPS).
Exam Structure
TOPIK II covers Levels 3 through 6 in a single test. Your score determines your level.
| Section | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (듣기) | 50 questions | 60 minutes | 100 |
| Writing (쓰기) | 4 questions | 50 minutes | 100 |
| Reading (읽기) | 50 questions | 70 minutes | 100 |
| Total | 104 questions | 180 minutes | 300 |
The Writing section breakdown: - Questions 51-52: Fill in the blank (complete a sentence in context) — short answer - Question 53: Write a 200-300 word explanation based on provided data (graph, table, or diagram) - Question 54: Write a 600-700 word essay on a given topic
For Level 3, strong performance on questions 51-53 is critical. The essay (question 54) is scored on a curve and even partial attempts earn points.
Vocabulary Topics
Level 3 requires approximately 3,000-4,000 words, expanding into abstract and social domains:
- Social relationships: 선배 (senior), 후배 (junior), 동료 (colleague), 이웃 (neighbor)
- News & media: 뉴스 (news), 기사 (article), 사건 (incident), 사회 (society)
- Emotions & states: 만족하다 (to be satisfied), 실망하다 (to be disappointed), 긴장하다 (to be nervous)
- Abstract concepts: 경험 (experience), 기회 (opportunity), 문제 (problem), 방법 (method)
- Housing & living: 이사 (moving), 계약 (contract), 월세 (monthly rent), 전세 (deposit lease)
- Education: 시험 (exam), 성적 (grades), 졸업 (graduation), 장학금 (scholarship)
Grammar Points
Level 3 grammar introduces complex sentence structures and indirect speech.
Indirect speech (간접화법): - -ㄴ/는다고 하다 (statement): 친구가 내일 온다고 했어요. — My friend said they're coming tomorrow. - -냐고 하다 (question): 어디 가냐고 물었어요. — They asked where I was going. - -라고 하다 (command): 선생님이 조용히 하라고 했어요. — The teacher told us to be quiet. - -자고 하다 (suggestion): 같이 먹자고 했어요. — They suggested we eat together.
Complex connectors: - -(으)ㄴ/는데도 (even though): 열심히 공부했는데도 시험에 떨어졌어요. — Even though I studied hard, I failed the exam. - -다가 (while doing/then): 걸어가다가 친구를 만났어요. — While walking, I ran into a friend. - -(으)려면 (if you intend to): 한국어를 잘하려면 매일 연습해야 해요. — If you want to be good at Korean, you need to practice daily. - -게 되다 (come to/end up): 한국에서 살게 되었어요. — I ended up living in Korea.
Conjecture & possibility: - -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (seems like): 비가 올 것 같아요. — It looks like it will rain. - -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 (seems like — past/present): 이미 떠난 것 같아요. — It seems they already left. - -(으)ㄹ지 모르다 (might): 내일 눈이 올지 몰라요. — It might snow tomorrow.
Study Tips
- Start writing Korean daily. The Writing section is new compared to TOPIK I. Even short diary entries (3-5 sentences) build the muscle memory needed for timed essay writing.
- Learn the essay template for question 53. Data description questions follow a predictable structure: introduction (주제 소개) → data description (자료 설명) → conclusion (결론). Practice with graphs from past exams.
- Master indirect speech thoroughly. Indirect speech appears in Listening (understanding what someone said), Reading (reported speech in passages), and Writing (paraphrasing prompts). It is the single most important grammar category for Level 3.
- Expand vocabulary through reading. At 3,000+ words, memorizing word lists becomes inefficient. Read Korean news articles for beginners (such as those on News in Korean or KBS World) to learn vocabulary in context.
- Practice Listening at 1.0x speed. TOPIK II Listening is faster than TOPIK I and includes longer conversations. Each recording plays only once. Train yourself to catch key information on the first listen.
Sample Questions
Writing — Fill in the blank (쓰기 51번 유형):
가: 이번 주말에 시간이 있어요? 나: 네, 시간이 있어요. 왜요? 가: 같이 영화를 ( ).
Expected answer: 보러 갈까요? / 볼까요? / 보러 가요
Writing — Data description (쓰기 53번 유형): You are given a bar chart showing "한국인의 취미 활동 조사 결과" (Survey results on Korean hobbies): - 운동 35%, 독서 25%, 영화 감상 20%, 음악 감상 15%, 기타 5%
Write a 200-300 word passage describing the data and its implications.
Reading — Paragraph ordering: Arrange the following sentences in logical order:
(가) 그래서 매일 30분씩 한국어 공부를 합니다. (나) 저는 한국 드라마를 좋아합니다. (다) 한국어를 배우면 자막 없이 드라마를 볼 수 있습니다. (라) 하지만 한국어를 잘 못해서 항상 자막을 봅니다.
Answer: (나) → (라) → (다) → (가)
Recommended Study Path
On LangSteps, Level 3 preparation extends across multiple content areas:
- Unit 0 and Unit 1: Complete review — Ensure perfect mastery of all beginner content before attempting TOPIK II.
- Grammar Reference: Connectors (all 12 topics) — Deep understanding of every connector pattern is essential. Focus especially on -아/어서 vs. -(으)니까, and -(으)ㄴ/는데.
- Grammar Reference: Special Constructions — Ability, wanting, obligation, experience, conjecture, and try-doing patterns are tested heavily.
- Grammar Reference: Passive & Causative — These verb forms appear in intermediate reading passages.
- Vocabulary: Emotions, Work, School, Health, Travel — Build the intermediate vocabulary base needed for both comprehension and writing.
- Vocabulary: TOPIK Essential Vocabulary — The curated high-frequency word list targets exam-specific vocabulary.