The number of people taking the Test of Proficiency in Korean, aka TOPIK, has surpassed 550,000 this year. Shown are foreign contestants on Oct. 9 displaying their entries in a Hangeul calligraphy competition to mark the 579th anniversary of Hangeul Day at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Yonhap News)
By Aisylu Akhmetzianova
The growing popularity of the Korean language has led to over 550,000 people taking this year the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), with the number of domestic test centers and countries offering TOPIK's internet-based test to be expanded next year.
The Ministry of Education on Oct. 10 said this in releasing its plans for the 2026 TOPIK.
TOPIK next year will be administered a combined 15 times; six on paper, six online and three speaking tests. The paper-based exam consists of reading, listening and writing in the TOPIK I (beginner) and TOPIK II (intermediate–advanced) levels.
The number of countries offering the online test will rise from 13 this year to 17 next year with the addition of Nepal, Laos, Bahrain and India.
The number of TOPIK takers has steadily grown in recent years from 360,000 in 2022 to 420,000 in 2023, 490,000 last year and 550,000 from January to September this year.
aisylu@korea.kr