Grading criteria for the new Topik format in 2014

As you know, the topik website (http://www.topik.go.kr/) has a new layout and they also provide the official changes to the new Topik format which takes place since July 20, 2014. The important thing is that the Topik website has just uploaded the official grading criteria for determining each level as you can see from this photo. In the new topik exam, your level criteria bases on the TOTAL SCORE .

Grading criteria for determining each level
Source :http://www.topik.go.kr/usr/cmm/subLocation.do?menuSeq=2110101#none

English translation of grading criteria for determining each level

This is the table of detailed scores for each skill.

Table of detailed scores for each skill.

English translation of detailed scores for each skill.

As you know, in the new topik format, there are only two exams which are Topik I (Beginner) and Topik II (Intermediate-Advanced). If you take the exam Topik I, you only do 30 multiple- choice listening questions in 40 minutes and do 40 multiple- choice reading questions in 60 minutes. You do not have to do the vocabulary/grammar questions or writing tasks any more. Therefore, the exam for the beginner will become much more easy than ever. In my opinion, with only multiple-choice questions in the beginner exam, you will easily get the high marks. The total score of this exam is 200 marks.
+If your score ranges from more than 80 to 140, you will get Topik Level 1 (Beginner 1)
+If your score ranges  from more than 140 to 200, you will get Topik level 2 ( Beginner 2)

As for the Topik II (Intermediate-Advanced), it will become more challenging when the papers are the combination of the intermediate and advanced questions. In the first period, you will do 50 multiple-choice listening questions in 60 minutes and do the writing task consisting of short answers and 2 essays in 50 minutes. After a short break, you do 50 multiple choice reading questions in 70 minutes. The total score is 300 marks.
+ If your score ranges from more than 120 to 150, you will get Topik 3( Intermediate 1).
+ If your score ranges  from more than 150 to 190, you will get Topik 4 ( Intermediate 2).
+ If your score ranges  from more than 190 to 230, you will get Topik 5 ( Advanced 1).
+ If your score ranges  from more than 230 to 300, you will get Topik 6 ( Advanced 2).

I am happy that they finally eliminate the minimum passing score for each skill. In the old Topik format, no matter how high other skills were, you still failed if your score for each skill did not exceed the minimum passing score. However, in the new topik exam, you do not have to worry about each skill. You only need to reach the criteria for the total score.

This is the timetable for the new Topik exams.

 

Timetable for the new Topik exams.

English translation of timetable for the new Topik exams.

You can read more blog entries related to the new topik exams

Answer sheets for the new topik format

Sample of TOPIK I (Beginner) with answer keys, script, no audio

http://www.mediafire.com/view/s4sk3qh4a6zq5ta/(New_Topik)_Sample_I_Beginner.pdf

Sample of TOPIK II(Intermediate-Advanced) with answer keys, script, no audio

http://www.mediafire.com/view/oo843sly7iq8g08/(New_Topik)_Sample_II_Intermediate-Advanced.pdf

1. Official changes of new topik exam

2. Q&A about the changes of the new topik

3. Sample audios of new Topik format

4. Listening extract of new Topik II (intermediate-advanced)

5. Listening extract of new Topik I (beginner)

6. The change of downloading previous Topik papers