What Is EPS-TOPIK? Test Structure, Scoring and Eligibility
What is EPS-TOPIK?
EPS-TOPIK (Employment Permit System – Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language test for people who want to work in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). It is run by HRD Korea (Human Resources Development Service of Korea) on behalf of Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor. Its stated purpose is to check whether you have the basic Korean needed for daily life and for industrial workplaces, and a basic understanding of Korean workplace culture (source: epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-08-24).
Test structure: 40 questions in 50 minutes
According to the official test outline (epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-08-24), the test has two sections:
- Listening: 20 questions, 25 minutes, 50 points
- Reading: 20 questions, 25 minutes, 50 points
- Total: 40 questions, 50 minutes, 100 points, all 4-choice multiple choice
Questions cover everyday communication, Korean used at industrial worksites, Korean company culture, and occupational safety and health. Reading items include picture matching, vocabulary and grammar blanks, and understanding signs and notices; listening items include sounds, pictures, conversations and short stories.
Is there a fixed passing score?
No. EPS-TOPIK is a relative-selection test: you must score above the minimum score set for your industry, and successful candidates are then chosen in order of marks within the number of workers each round needs (source: epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr, checked 2026-08-24). The minimum score and quota are different for every country and every round, so always check the official announcement for your round. In many countries a point-based system applies, where the language test is Round 1 and a skills test is Round 2.
Who can take the test?
The official eligibility conditions (checked 2026-08-24) are:
- Age 18 to 39
- No criminal record (as defined in the announcement)
- No record of deportation or departure order from Korea
- No ban on leaving your own country
- Total previous stay in Korea on E-9 or E-10 visas of less than 5 years
Test results are valid for 2 years from the announcement of results (source: Nepal EPS-TOPIK 2026 official notice, checked 2026-08-24). Passing the test does not guarantee a job in Korea; it only makes you eligible to be registered on the roster of jobseekers. For exact conditions for your country, always read the official notice at epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr and your national sending agency's website.