Overview
TOPIK I Level 1 is the entry point of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능력시험). It certifies that you can handle basic survival Korean — introducing yourself, ordering food, shopping, and navigating simple daily situations. The exam is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and is recognized worldwide for university admissions, employment, and visa applications.
Passing score: 80 out of 200 total points (combined Listening + Reading).
Level 1 corresponds to CEFR A1 and demonstrates the ability to carry out basic communicative functions such as greeting, asking directions, and making purchases.
Exam Structure
TOPIK I covers Levels 1 and 2 in a single test session. Your score determines which level you achieve.
| Section | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (듣기) | 30 questions | 40 minutes | 100 |
| Reading (읽기) | 40 questions | 60 minutes | 100 |
| Total | 70 questions | 100 minutes | 200 |
There is no Writing or Speaking section in TOPIK I. All questions are multiple choice (4 options). The Listening section plays audio recordings once, and you answer while listening.
Vocabulary Topics
At Level 1 you need approximately 800 core words. Focus on these categories:
- Self-introduction (자기소개): 이름 (name), 나이 (age), 나라 (country), 직업 (job)
- Daily life (일상생활): 아침 (morning), 밥 (rice/meal), 물 (water), 집 (house)
- Numbers & time: Sino-Korean (일, 이, 삼) and native Korean (하나, 둘, 셋) number systems
- Locations: 학교 (school), 병원 (hospital), 은행 (bank), 식당 (restaurant)
- Shopping: 얼마예요? (How much?), 원 (won), 비싸다 (expensive), 싸다 (cheap)
- Weather & seasons: 날씨 (weather), 봄 (spring), 덥다 (hot), 춥다 (cold)
Grammar Points
Level 1 grammar is foundational. Master these patterns first:
Particles (조사): - 은/는 (topic), 이/가 (subject), 을/를 (object) - 에 (location/time), 에서 (action location), 에게/한테 (to a person)
Verb endings: - Present tense: -아/어요 (informal polite), -ㅂ니다/습니다 (formal polite) - Past tense: -았/었어요 - Future tense: -ㄹ/을 거예요
Essential patterns: - 이것은 뭐예요? — What is this? - 저는 학생이에요. — I am a student. - 어디에 가요? — Where are you going? - 뭐 먹고 싶어요? — What do you want to eat?
Study Tips
- Focus on listening early. Listening is worth half the exam. Start with slow Korean audio — TOPIK I recordings speak at natural but clear speed.
- Memorize question patterns. TOPIK I Listening questions 1-10 repeat the same formats every exam: picture matching, appropriate response selection, and topic identification.
- Learn Hangul reading speed. In the Reading section, 40 questions in 60 minutes means roughly 90 seconds per question. Practice reading short Korean texts under time pressure.
- Use past exams. TOPIK publishes past tests at topik.go.kr. The question styles rarely change.
- Master 하다 verbs. A huge number of Korean verbs are noun + 하다 (공부하다, 운동하다, 요리하다). Learning the noun gives you the verb for free.
Sample Questions
Listening — Picture matching (듣기 1-4번 유형): You hear: "여자가 커피를 마시고 있습니다." (A woman is drinking coffee.) Select the picture that matches the description.
Reading — Fill in the blank (읽기 유형):
저는 매일 아침 7시에 ( ).
(a) 일어납니다 (b) 먹습니다 (c) 갑니다 (d) 삽니다
Answer: (a) 일어납니다 — I wake up at 7 every morning.
Reading — Short passage comprehension:
저는 한국 음식을 좋아합니다. 특히 김치찌개를 자주 먹습니다.
Question: 이 사람은 무엇을 좋아합니까? (a) 일본 음식 (b) 한국 음식 (c) 중국 음식 (d) 미국 음식
Answer: (b) 한국 음식
Recommended Study Path
On LangSteps, the following content maps directly to TOPIK I Level 1 preparation:
- Unit 0: The Korean Alphabet — Hangul mastery is non-negotiable. Complete all 6 lessons before anything else.
- Unit 1: Lessons 1-13 — Basic sentence structure, particles, tense conjugation, numbers, counters, and time expressions cover the core grammar needed for Level 1.
- Vocabulary: Food, Family, Numbers, Daily Routines, Greetings — These five categories contain the highest-frequency TOPIK I Level 1 vocabulary.
- Grammar Reference: Particles, Present/Past/Future Tense — Use these for targeted review of grammar points that appear on every exam.