You register for TOPIK differently depending on where you take the test. If you are taking TOPIK in Korea, the official route is the TOPIK website. If you are taking TOPIK outside Korea, follow the local administering institution in your country.
This guide focuses on official registration rules and 2026 schedule data. It does not try to predict which test centers will fill first or which local overseas office will use which payment method.
If you have not yet chosen a level, read TOPIK Levels Explained first.
If you want a class to prepare with, browse Seoulstart's language school directory for university institutes and private academies by city.
Step 1: Choose The Right Test
TOPIK I covers Levels 1 and 2.
TOPIK II covers Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.
If your university, employer, scholarship program, or visa route asks for Level 3 or higher, TOPIK I cannot produce that result. Choose TOPIK II.
There are also separate formats:
- PBT: paper-based TOPIK
- IBT: computer-based TOPIK, with separate raw score bands
- TOPIK Speaking: separate speaking evaluation
Use the format named by the institution or route you are applying to. If it only names a TOPIK level, confirm whether PBT and IBT are both accepted.
Step 2: Check The 2026 Korea Schedule
NIIED's 2026 implementation plan lists these Korea PBT sessions.
| Session | Korea registration window | Korea test date | Score announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104th PBT | Dec 9-15, 2025 | Jan 11, 2026 | Feb 12, 2026 |
| 105th PBT | Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2026 | Apr 12, 2026 | May 29, 2026 |
| 106th PBT | Mar 10-16, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | Jun 25, 2026 |
| 107th PBT | May 12-18, 2026 | Jul 5, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| 108th PBT | Aug 4-10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | Dec 10, 2026 |
| 109th PBT | Sep 1-7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 |
The same 2026 plan lists these Korea IBT sessions.
| Session | Korea registration window | Korea test date | Score announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th IBT | Dec 16-22, 2025 | Feb 28, 2026 | Mar 20, 2026 |
| 12th IBT | Jan 13-19, 2026 | Mar 21, 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 |
| 13th IBT | Apr 7-13, 2026 | Jun 13, 2026 | Jul 3, 2026 |
| 14th IBT | Jul 7-13, 2026 | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 |
| 15th IBT | Aug 18-24, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
| 16th IBT | Sep 15-21, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 |
TOPIK Speaking runs separately in Korea.
| Session | Korea registration window | Korea test date | Score announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Speaking | Jan 13-19, 2026 | Mar 21, 2026 | Apr 13, 2026 |
| 11th Speaking | Apr 7-13, 2026 | Jun 13, 2026 | Jul 6, 2026 |
| 12th Speaking | Aug 18-24, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 |
NIIED says 2026 schedules may change depending on domestic or overseas administering-institution circumstances. Check topik.go.kr before registering.
Step 3: Register Through The Correct Channel
NIIED's TOPIK basic operating regulation separates domestic and overseas registration.
If you take TOPIK in Korea, register through the TOPIK website.
If you take TOPIK outside Korea, follow the registration method of the administering institution in that country. The same regulation says overseas applicants follow the country-level administering institution's registration method.
Overseas registration periods and fees can differ from Korea. NIIED's 2026 implementation plan tells overseas applicants to confirm with the local administering institution.
Step 4: Avoid Mobile Registration
TOPIK's mobile notice says mobile devices, including phones, tablets, and touch-enabled laptops, are not supported during registration periods. Use a PC or ordinary laptop.
Step 5: Prepare ID And Photo
ID
The 2026 implementation plan says domestic test takers must bring an accepted original ID. For foreign residents, the listed examples include an unexpired passport, foreigner registration card, mobile foreigner registration card for eligible users, permanent resident card, and welfare card.
Overseas test takers follow the ID rules of the country-level administering institution. NIIED's basic operating regulation says overseas ID rules are set locally, but the ID should include a photo, English name, and birth date.
Photo
The 2026 implementation plan says TOPIK registration photos follow the Ministry of Justice foreigner-registration photo standard. It describes a recent color upper-body passport-style photo, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, with a plain background, no hat, no eye obstruction, and no altered original image.
If your local overseas office gives a stricter local photo rule, follow the local office.
Step 6: Know The Korea Fees
The 2026 Korea fees are:
| Test | Format | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I | PBT | 40,000 won |
| TOPIK II | PBT | 55,000 won |
| TOPIK I | IBT | 70,000 won |
| TOPIK II | IBT | 95,000 won |
| TOPIK Speaking | IBT | 80,000 won |
Fees outside Korea vary by country. Confirm the current fee with the local administering institution before the local registration window opens.
Step 7: Cancellation And Refund Basics
NIIED's basic operating regulation says domestic applicants can cancel from the application date until 1:00 PM on the day before the test. It also says detailed cancellation and refund rules can be set by the NIIED president.
For overseas tests, the regulation says the local administering institution's refund rules apply.
Because refund percentages and cutoff times can vary by session or local office, check the current session notice before paying.
Step 8: Test Day Basics
Bring your accepted original ID.
The 2026 implementation plan says a person who does not bring a required ID cannot take the test. It also says test takers cannot enter the test room after the notified entry time.
Electronic and communication devices are not allowed during the test. The 2026 plan tells candidates to turn off and submit communication and electronic devices before the first session starts.
For PBT, the 2026 plan says the answer sheet must be filled out with the computer marking pen provided by the test supervisor.
Step 9: Check Results And Certificate Validity
The 2026 Ministry of Education plan says scores are announced through the website on the announced score date. It also says the score certificate is issued through the website and is not sent by post, fax, or email, except that overseas administering institutions may receive one copy per test taker when requested.
TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the score announcement date.
For what your score can do in a visa context, see TOPIK for Visa Points and verify the current official immigration notice before applying.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Using the wrong test. TOPIK I cannot award Level 3 or higher.
Using the wrong score table. PBT and IBT have different raw score bands.
Registering on mobile. TOPIK's mobile notice says mobile devices are not supported during registration periods.
Ignoring the local overseas office. Overseas applicants follow the country-level administering institution's method, fees, ID rules, and refund rules.
Using an old score. TOPIK scores are valid for 2 years from the score announcement date.
Ready to understand the score table? See TOPIK Levels Explained. For the broader overview, use the TOPIK hub.