1. Introduction 

The TOPIK IBT (Test of Proficiency in Korean – Internet-Based Test) is an official Korean language proficiency test conducted online. It is administered by the National Institute for International Education (국립국제교육원, NIIED), an organization under Korea Ministry of Education South Korea.  

The TOPIK IBT test follows the same evaluation system and holds the same validity as the traditional paper-based TOPIK test.  

Starting in November 2023, the TOPIK IBT has been officially available in South Korea and several other countries, running concurrently with the paper-based version. IIG Vietnam has been authorized by NIIED to administer the TOPIK IBT from 2025. Vietnam is among the the first countries to implement the TOPIK IBT globally. 

2. Benefits of the Test 

• The TOPIK IBT is beneficial, and sometimes mandatory, for obtaining a residence visa in Korea. For example, applicants from Da Nang up to Northern Vietnam applying for a marriage visa must have at least a TOPIK I certificate. 

• When applying for jobs, visas, or scholarships to study in Korea, the TOPIK certificate is an essential measure of Korean language proficiency. Holding a TOPIK certificate can significantly ease the visa application process for studying in Korea. 

• Major Korean companies in Vietnam often require TOPIK certification as a prerequisite for hiring, evaluating, and promoting personnel. 

• In recent years, Vietnamese universities have started prioritizing TOPIK test results for admission and using it as a graduation requirement for students majoring in Korean language studies. 

3. Test takers 

• Students aiming to study in Korea for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or research programs. 

• Students majoring in Korean language and culture or other Oriental languages, who are required to obtain a TOPIK certificate before graduation. 

• High school students seeking an advantage for direct admission to Korean language faculties in Vietnamese universities. 

• Graduates from other fields who wish to work in Korean companies or deal with Korean clients. 

• Vietnamese workers unable to take the EPS test or those returning home voluntarily from illegal residence in Korea, wishing to return to Korea. 

• Employees of major Korean corporations, such as Samsung, Posco, Hyundai, and LG, which offer incentives for foreign language certifications, especially in Korean. 

• Vietnamese brides applying for a visa to Korea. 

• Others interested in or passionate about Korean culture. 

4. Test Levels and Score Range 

The TOPIK IBT is divided into two types, with a total of six levels: 

• TOPIK I IBT: An beginner-level test consisting of Level 1 and Level 2. 

• TOPIK II IBT: An intermediate/advanced-level test covering Levels 3 through 6. 

5. Test Structure 

The structure of the TOPIK IBT is as follows: 

Item Types: 

• Multiple-choice questions (select one answer from four options) 

• Fill-in-the-blank questions (choose the appropriate answer to complete the passage) 

• Sentence insertion (place a given sentence in the correct position within a passage) 

• Drag-and-drop (arrange sentences in order by dragging them with the mouse) 

• Short-answer questions (complete the sentence with the correct answer) 

• Essay writing (write a paragraph based on the topic provided, with editing functions available) 

6. How to Register for the Test 

In Vietnam, candidates can register for the TOPIK IBT via the official registration portal of IIG Vietnam at https://online.iigvietnam.com/. Detailed instructions for registration and payment are available at LINK 

7. Certificate Validity 

The TOPIK IBT certificate is valid for two years from the date the results are announced. 

8. Receiving Test Results 

Candidates can view their scores and print their score reports for free from the official TOPIK website: http://topik.go.kr.