How I Prepared Myself For the Korean Proficiency Exam in 3 Months

Disclaimer: While this article focuses on my experience preparing for the Korean language proficiency exam (TOPIK), the strategies and lessons I share can be applied to any language exam, including IELTS and TOEFL. If you’re an English learner preparing for these tests, you’ll find useful tips here, too!

I’m thrilled to share that I recently achieved Level 5 on the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam, and I want to take you through my journey, struggles, and strategies that helped me reach this milestone. Along the way, I’ll also share tips for anyone preparing for the exam.

As an experienced English tutor specializing in IELTS and TOEFL, I realized that many test-taking strategies for language exams overlap. This connection became clear during my TOPIK preparation as I applied proven methods from my teaching practice to my own learning. If you’re preparing for IELTS or TOEFL, my journey might just offer you some unexpected insights!

The starting point for the Korean language proficiency test

I moved to Korea in 2022 on a full scholarship to pursue my Master’s degree. However, my program was entirely in English, and I spent my first year in Korea barely learning any Korean (yes, even while living there!). It wasn’t until the end of my first year that I realized I needed to make the most of my time in Korea. That’s when my serious language-learning journey began.

Initially, I attended free Korean classes offered by my university and other institutions. These helped me grasp the basics, but they didn’t fit my learning style as they solely focused on grammar, so I decided to switch to self-study by implementing what I do when I tutor my students.

The turning point: six months of intense study

I took the TOPIK I exam after about six months of self-study and barely passed Level 2 (meaning I had a very low score). This wake-up call motivated me to dive deeper into Korean, knowing that my future career and personal interests would stay connected to this country.

The preparation process

Structured self-study

• I researched and downloaded popular TOPIK preparation books and followed their structures meticulously for the first two months.
• I created a specific and detailed study plan focusing on keeping it fun and motivating for myself. (Just like I do for my students!)
• I studied for 1-2 hours daily, focusing on one section of the test at a time, whether vocabulary, grammar, or writing.

Mock tests

• In my final month, I dedicated my time to weekly mock tests to mimic the actual exam setting.
• After each test, I carefully reviewed mistakes, noted unfamiliar vocabulary, and revisited challenging grammar points.

Immersion and practice

• Living in Korea helped me immerse myself in the language. I practiced speaking Korean daily, no matter how awkward I sounded at first.
• During commutes and chores, I listened to Korean podcasts like the DiDI Korean podcast on YouTube, transcribed episodes, and translated unfamiliar words. (I have a strategy for this activity that has been working incredibly well on my students)

My secret weapon: ChatGPT

Here’s a funny (and surprisingly effective) part of my journey: I used ChatGPT as my personal language coach! Like the stepmother in Snow White asking her magic mirror, “Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?” I used to end every conversation with ChatGPT by asking, “So, what is my level of Korean today?” Haha! It became a fun ritual, and the feedback kept me motivated to improve.

However, the free version of ChatGPT sometimes struggled to give the depth of feedback I needed. Eventually, I upgraded to the paid version for more advanced responses, which was still a bit lacking, unfortunately. But now that I think about it, I could have saved time (and probably frustration) by hiring a real Korean tutor on LiveXP. A tutor could have provided tailored guidance, real-time corrections, and interactive practice that no AI tool can fully replicate.

Well, I hope you can learn from my mistake—if you’re serious about taking exams like TOPIK, IELTS, or TOEFL, having a dedicated tutor by your side can make all the difference.

What I learned about vocabulary

I strongly believe in learning vocabulary through context rather than rote memorization. TOPIK vocabulary is quite repetitive (the same goes for many other language tests), so the more mock tests and practice material you review, the more you’ll notice recurring words. Instead of making flashcards, I focused on:

• Translating unknown words in context.
• Revisiting passages to see how these words were used.
• Letting frequent exposure naturally reinforce my vocabulary.

This strategy works well for any language exam, including IELTS and TOEFL, where understanding word usage in context is crucial for reading and listening success.

Key resources and tools

• Books: Choose one to three comprehensive TOPIK books and follow their structure.
• Mock tests: Platforms like Mastertopik.com provide affordable tests with detailed corrections, especially for the writing section.
• Consistent real-life practice: Whether it’s an app or a tutor, use what works for you to build consistency.

Final thoughts

My journey to TOPIK Level 5 was intense but incredibly rewarding. Preparing for any language exam—be it TOPIK, IELTS, or TOEFL—requires consistency, strategic planning, and immersion.