KIIP Pre-Evaluation (사전평가): Score-to-Level Placement Guide

The Pre-Evaluation (사전평가) is the placement test that starts your KIIP journey. It determines which stage you enter, Stage 0 through Stage 5, so you do not spend months in classes pitched too easy or too hard. This guide covers the test format, what the score bands mean, what is tested, how to prepare, and how TOPIK connects.

If you have not read the KIIP overview, start there first: KIIP: The 2026 Guide to Korea's Social Integration Program.

What is the Pre-Evaluation?

The Pre-Evaluation is a placement test, not a pass-fail exam. You do not pass or fail it. You sit it, receive a score out of 100, and the score determines which KIIP stage you are assigned to.

Every new KIIP registrant must take the Pre-Evaluation, with one exception: if you hold a valid TOPIK Level 2 certificate or higher, you skip the Pre-Evaluation and are placed directly into Stage 3. See the TOPIK section below for the full placement mapping.

You register for the Pre-Evaluation at kiiptest.org, operated by the Korea Immigration Foundation. Your class registration through socinet.go.kr (사회통합정보망) comes after your stage is confirmed.

Test format

The Pre-Evaluation runs in two formats.

PBT (Paper-Based Test): You write on paper and mark answers on an OMR (optical mark recognition) answer sheet.

CBT (Computer-Based Test): You complete the test on screen.

Both formats cost the same: 38,000 KRW per attempt (as of 2026, verify at kiiptest.org). This fee was introduced from January 1, 2025. Before that date, all KIIP evaluations were free.

The test includes multiple-choice (객관식) and short-answer items. There is no listening section. The Pre-Evaluation focuses on vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and basic Korean daily-life knowledge. Full details on the item count and time allocation are published on kiiptest.org before each test session.

Score-to-level placement

Your Pre-Evaluation score determines which stage you enter. The placement bands below are based on the official guidance published by the Korea Immigration Foundation. Verify the current bands at kiiptest.org before your test, as placement criteria can be updated.

Skipping Stage 5 Basic, the 85+ path: If you score 85 or above on the Pre-Evaluation, you may sit the Permanent Residency Comprehensive Evaluation (영주용 종합평가) directly without taking the 70-hour Stage 5 Basic coursework. This eligibility is valid for 2 years from your score announcement date. A pass on this path satisfies the F-5 permanent residency basic competency requirement, but it does not count as KIIP completion. If your goal is naturalization, you still need to complete the full Stage 5 track (Basic + Advanced) and sit the Naturalization Track Comprehensive Evaluation. Scores of 81 to 84 place you at Stage 5 but still require completing Stage 5 Basic before sitting Comprehensive Evaluation.

The hour estimates in the table assume you start from each stage and complete through Stage 5 Basic (the track required for F-5 permanent residency). Stage 5 Basic is 70 hours. Stages 1 through 4 are 100 hours each.

What is tested

The Pre-Evaluation covers three areas.

Korean vocabulary: You are tested on word meaning and usage. The level is broadly equivalent to TOPIK Level 1 and Level 2 vocabulary. Common topics include everyday situations: shopping, transportation, health, and workplace basics.

Korean grammar: Multiple-choice questions test your ability to choose the correct grammatical form in a sentence. You are not required to produce original written Korean.

Reading comprehension: Short passages followed by comprehension questions. Topics focus on everyday life in Korea. Reading pace matters here because the reading section is the longest part of the test.

Korean daily-life knowledge: A small number of questions test basic knowledge of everyday situations in Korea. These are not obscure cultural trivia. They cover things like using public transit, community service centers (주민센터), and healthcare basics. This knowledge comes naturally from living in Korea.

There is no listening (듣기) or speaking section. The Pre-Evaluation is entirely written.

How to prepare

Step 1: Download sample questions from kiiptest.org

The Korea Immigration Foundation publishes official sample questions (견본 문제) on kiiptest.org. This is the most reliable preparation material. Work through the sample questions first, then assess which areas need more work.

Step 2: Study TOPIK Level 1 and Level 2 vocabulary

The vocabulary and grammar tested in the Pre-Evaluation broadly aligns with TOPIK Level 1 and Level 2. If you are already studying for TOPIK, your preparation overlaps directly. If you are not studying for TOPIK, the standard TOPIK preparation wordlists for Level 1 and Level 2 cover the core vocabulary you need. These are widely available in bookstores and online.

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with Korean daily-life basics

Read about how common Korean daily-life processes work: using the subway, registering at a community center, visiting a health clinic. You do not need to memorize these systems in detail. Familiarity with the vocabulary and the general flow is enough for the Pre-Evaluation.

Step 4: Check whether your partner institution offers practice tests

Some KIIP partner institutions offer free mock tests or practice sessions before the Pre-Evaluation. When you search for partner institutions on socinet.go.kr, check whether the institution offers Pre-Evaluation preparation support. Not all do, but it is worth asking.

Realistic preparation time: If your Korean is near zero, you are most likely to be placed at Stage 0 or Stage 1 regardless of preparation. In that case, preparation for the Pre-Evaluation is less important than getting started with classes. If your Korean is already at a conversational level, a few hours reviewing TOPIK Level 1 and Level 2 vocabulary and working through the official sample questions is usually enough.

How this connects to TOPIK

If you are studying for TOPIK, or already hold a TOPIK score, the Pre-Evaluation connects to your situation directly.

TOPIK Level 2 or higher: Pre-Evaluation exemption

If you hold a valid TOPIK Level 2 certificate, you skip the Pre-Evaluation. You are placed directly into KIIP Stage 3. This saves you the 38,000 KRW fee and the time investment of the Pre-Evaluation itself.

The official Socinet TOPIK placement guide confirms the full mapping:

Your TOPIK certificate must be within its 2-year validity window when you apply. TOPIK scores expire after 2 years from the announcement date. KIIP completion certificates do not expire. Once you complete KIIP, that record stands permanently.

TOPIK Level 1 does not qualify

TOPIK Level 1 does not trigger a Pre-Evaluation exemption. If you hold only TOPIK Level 1, you must sit the Pre-Evaluation like any other applicant. Your Level 1 knowledge will likely place you at Stage 2 based on the placement bands above, but the Pre-Evaluation score, not your TOPIK level, is what determines your stage.

If you are currently preparing for TOPIK

If your Korean is close to TOPIK Level 2, it may be worth sitting TOPIK before registering for KIIP. A Level 2 pass gives you the Stage 3 placement without the Pre-Evaluation fee and skips Stages 0, 1, and 2, which represent approximately 200 to 315 hours of classes. That is a meaningful time saving on a path toward F-5 permanent residency. For more detail on how TOPIK scores translate into placement and visa points, see the TOPIK guide and TOPIK Levels Explained.

How you receive results

Results are published approximately 1 to 2 weeks after your test date. You check them in your account on kiiptest.org (마이페이지).

After your stage is confirmed, the next step is to find a partner institution and register for classes. You do this at socinet.go.kr. Use the institution search to filter by your region, class format (in-person, online, or hybrid), and schedule. Your stage placement record is attached to your Socinet account and carries over automatically if you later change institutions.

Once enrolled in classes, your progress through each stage is tracked in your Socinet account. The next evaluation after the Pre-Evaluation is the Mid-term Evaluation (중간평가), which you sit after completing Stage 4 classes to progress to Stage 5.

For the final step, the Comprehensive Evaluation (종합평가) that unlocks F-5 permanent residency or naturalization, see the KIIP Comprehensive Evaluation guide.

FAQ

What is the KIIP Pre-Evaluation?

The Pre-Evaluation (사전평가) is a placement test taken at the start of your KIIP registration. Your score determines which stage you enter: Stage 0 through Stage 4. You do not need to pass or fail it in the traditional sense. You simply sit it, receive a score, and get assigned to the corresponding stage.

Do I have to take the Pre-Evaluation?

Yes, unless you hold a valid TOPIK Level 2 certificate or higher. If you do, you skip the Pre-Evaluation and are placed directly into Stage 3. TOPIK Level 1 does not qualify. Your TOPIK score must still be within its 2-year validity window when you apply.

If I score 85 or above, can I skip Stage 5 classes entirely?

Yes. A Pre-Evaluation score of 85 or above lets you sit the Permanent Residency Comprehensive Evaluation (영주용 종합평가) directly, without completing Stage 5 Basic coursework. This eligibility lasts 2 years from your score date. Important: a pass on this path satisfies the F-5 permanent residency basic competency requirement, but it does not count as full KIIP completion. For naturalization, you still need to complete the full Stage 5 track. Scores of 81 to 84 place you at Stage 5 but you still take the 70-hour Stage 5 Basic before sitting the Comprehensive Evaluation.

Does TOPIK Level 1 exempt me from the Pre-Evaluation?

No. TOPIK Level 1 does not qualify for a Pre-Evaluation exemption. Only TOPIK Level 2 or higher triggers the direct Stage 3 placement.

Can I request a lower stage than my score assigns?

Generally no. The Pre-Evaluation score is the placement mechanism. If you feel your assigned stage is too high and your classes are too difficult, speak to your partner institution. Some institutions can advise on whether a transfer to an earlier stage is possible in your situation.

How much does the Pre-Evaluation cost?

38,000 KRW per attempt, as of 2026. Both PBT and CBT cost the same. The fee was introduced on January 1, 2025; before that date, evaluations were free. Verify the current fee at kiiptest.org before registering.

How long does the Pre-Evaluation take?

The test duration and exact item count are detailed on kiiptest.org. The format includes multiple-choice and short-answer items. There is no listening section. Build in extra time for check-in and waiting on test day.

How do I get my results?

Results are published approximately 1 to 2 weeks after your test date. Log in to your account on kiiptest.org and check your my-page. After your stage is confirmed, you can register for classes at a KIIP partner institution through socinet.go.kr.

@misc{seoulstart-kiip-sajeon-pyeongga-guide,
  author = {{Seoulstart Editorial Team}},
  title = {{KIIP Pre-Evaluation (사전평가): Score-to-Level Placement Guide}},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Seoulstart},
  url = {https://seoulstart.com/guides/kiip-sajeon-pyeongga-guide},
  note = {Last updated May 24, 2026}
}