I planned to but didn’t do the advanced test this year. I did apply, but then decided that I hadn’t studied enough and so pulled out. I did the intermediate test again. I think I’ll do better than last time but still be shy of Level 4.

I didn’t think that there’d be many people in the UK taking the test, but not as few as that! Thousands take the test in Korea, and I’d say about 85% of whom are Chinese students who have to take the test to go to or continue at a Korean University. 12.5% would be students from other Asian countries, especially Vietnam and Japan, and Westerners would be about 2.5% at most.

That’s the impression I got anyway. I think the TOPIK website has the actual statistics.

I just wondered how everyone found the TOPIK exams this year? How did your advanced and intermediate papers go, James? I took the S-TOPIK beginner paper and B(business)-TOPIK yesterday in the UK, which made for quite a marathon of Korean examination!

It was my 3rd attempt on the beginner paper and I really hope I can get level 2 this time. At least the essay was simple - just a self-introduction. The first 1/3rd of the business exam was straightforward, but it rapidly got more difficult and by the end I was just making pretty patterns on the answer grid!

By the way, how many people take TOPIK in the Korean test centres? In the UK there were about 8 of us taking beginner TOPIK, 3 doing intermediate and a couple doing advanced. I was the first and only person to take B-TOPIK in the UK! Hence I think it’s unlikely that they’re going to offer two TOPIK exam sessions per year here (despite my requests).

As for the test, I haven’t tried but I’d be suprised if you can change your level after you register. The good news is that Level 2 is very easy, especially so with the new format of the tests meaning you need only a 50% average instead of 60%. I think you’ll whiz through it with plently of time to spare.

Not that it’s relevant now, but Level 3 is a HUGE step up. Not that I’m the most studious of people, but I didn’t pass it until my 3rd time, the 2nd time getting 59.75% when I still needed 60% to pass back then! Now that you only need 50% it is much easier, but it’s still a bit of a jump.

Are the Korean classes still going on? I’m officially on vacation as of yesterday (woo!) so if you’d like to have coffee/lunch sometime let me know.