My First Experience Taking TOPIK II (IBT): A Surprising Challenge!
I just finished my first attempt at TOPIK II (IBT), and wow—there were some unexpected changes that really caught me off guard! If you're used to the PBT (Paper-Based Test), be prepared because the IBT (Internet-Based Test) is a different experience. Let me walk you through my thoughts on the writing, reading, and listening sections and how they compare to the traditional PBT format.
✍ Writing (쓰기) – 3 Questions, 50 Minutes
The writing section felt shorter compared to the PBT version. Instead of writing 600–700 글 (characters) for the third question (long essay), I was only required to write 400–500 글. That's a significant reduction in word count, which could be either a relief or a challenge depending on your writing skills.
One huge advantage of the IBT version was the ability to copy, cut, and paste your text within the system. This feature made organizing my thoughts easier and allowed me to revise sentences without struggling with erasing and rewriting like in PBT.
And let's be honest—typing instead of handwriting made a big difference! My hands weren’t cramping, and my writing speed was much faster. However, I still had to watch my spelling and accuracy carefully since Korean typing (especially spacing) can be tricky.
📖 Reading (읽기) – My Speed Reading Nightmare
Oof. This section was a struggle! Imagine this: I was only on Question 19 when I suddenly looked at the clock and realized there were only 15 minutes left. 😱
Although the reading section felt similar to the PBT version in terms of question types and difficulty, the time pressure felt even more intense. Since it's IBT, you can’t mark answers and come back later as easily as you would with a paper test. Instead, you have to navigate quickly through on-screen texts, which for some reason felt harder to skim than printed materials.
Lesson learned: I need to practice speed reading in Korean before my next attempt. If you’re planning to take IBT, I highly recommend training yourself to quickly scan paragraphs and pull out key information.
🎧 Listening (듣기) – Major Changes & My Biggest Regret
I was VERY NERVOUS at the start of the listening section, which made me miss some of the earlier (easier) questions. Big mistake! 🙃 Unlike in PBT, where you could quickly circle an answer and move on, the IBT format required me to click and select the correct choice, which felt slower.
But here's the biggest change—new question types!
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True/False Questions (O/X):
- Instead of typical multiple-choice answers, some questions asked whether each statement was true (O) or false (X) based on the recording.
- This format forced me to focus on details rather than just picking the closest answer.
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"Choose Two Correct Answers" Format:
- Some questions required me to select TWO correct answers out of four choices.
- This added an extra layer of difficulty because even if I identified one correct option, I still had to find the second one.
Both of these formats also appeared in the reading section, so make sure you practice them before your test day!
🤯 Post-Test Thoughts: Do I Even Know Korean?
Honestly? After this exam, I felt like I don’t know any Korean at all. 🤡 It was a humbling experience, and now I have a deep appreciation for how tough TOPIK II really is.
And guess what? I have another IBT exam next month! 😭 I’m already regretting this decision—maybe I should have taken the PBT instead! I need at least a 3급 (Level 3), but at this rate, even that feels challenging.
Still, I refuse to give up! My action plan for next time:
✅ Train speed reading with Korean texts every day.
✅ Practice typing essays with proper spacing.
✅ Improve listening focus by doing mock tests with a timer.
✅ Familiarize myself with new IBT question types so I don’t panic.
Have you taken TOPIK II (IBT) yet? If so, how was your experience? If not, are you preparing for it? Let’s share our tips and struggles in the comments! 😊💬
📌 TL;DR – Key Takeaways for IBT TOPIK II
✔ Writing: Fewer words needed, and you can copy/paste text! Typing is easier than handwriting.
✔ Reading: Watch out for time pressure! Speed reading is more important than ever.
✔ Listening: New True/False and "Choose Two" questions require extra attention.
✔ General Tip: The IBT format is different from PBT, so practice online before test day!
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