Hello, darkfire382

According to the website, t he 33th Topik(January 19, 2014 ) and the 34th Topik (April 20, 2014) still use the current format of Topik. However , the new format of the Topik will be applied since the 35th Topik ( July 20, 2014)
In general, I am quite pleased because in the new format of Topik, they eliminate the system “If any of your skills does not exceed the passing scores, you will fail.” In the previous topik exam, no matter how high the average score you have, you still fail if one of your skills do not exceed the passing score. For example, your average score of 4 skills is 51 which is qualified to pass Topik 1, but the score of your writing skill is 30, so you will fail. However, in the new Topik, you won’t have to worry about them any more.
However, I’m very worried when they eliminate the Vocabulary/Grammar section which is my favorite parts that always help me to get high scores. Now if I take the topik II(Intermediate-Advanced), I can only take the reading, listening and writing parts.
I have just looked through the sample of the new topik part. In the new Topik I (Beginner), they eliminate the writing part. In the new Topik II (Intermediate-Advanced), they even eliminate the multiple choice in the writing part which is also my favorite to help me get high scores. You will have to fill in the blanks with your own words which are the most difficult parts.
Then you will have to write 2 ESSAYS and the topics are very difficult. In the previous intermediate topik exam, you only need to write a narrative or descriptive essay such as describing your dream house, your future job, your vacation. However in the new Topik exam, you have to write argumentative essays about some topics. In the sample, you have to write a 200~300- character essay about how to use the Internet well. I’m quite shocked because the essay they require is too short.
Related Posted in 0Korean Learning Journey , 2Exam , TOPIK | Tagged Korea , Korean , Topik
Oh dear oh dear… I’m not quite at the level where I can write anything about pollution or stuff like that. Either I need to make a quantum leap over the next 10 months or I need to postpone my “intermediate/advanced” TOPIK adventure to avoid total embarrassment. As a starting point I will aim for the quantum leap, but I will need to think carefully about my ability blue hair when we reach the sign-up period.
Hello koreanlearner, Thank you very much for your comments. I think writing is the most scary section in the Topik. In the old Topik format, we can easily practice by writing essays blue hair with the subject repeated many times. However, with the new topik, we have to prepare more vocabularies in social skill. I agree with you about the big leap between Topik I and Topik II. They say that they want to make the Beginner topik exam easier to encourage more people taking the exam. However, in fact, the beginner certificate is not much valuable. If you want to work in Korean company or study abroad, you will need at least Topik 3. I always hope there will be a easier system for the intermediate Topik.
Well then… Looks like I’ll be postponing taking TOPIK. XD I can’t write a good essay in another language on something like pollution. That’s a leap from writing about every day things. I’m guessing they’re going to grade the essays on how strong your arguments and examples are as well. In English? I got all the terms for ya. Korean? Hahahaha… ha… ha… >.>
I’m still confused about the whole “intermediate/advanced” thing. Is the certificate going to say, “You have passed intermediate/advanced?” That seems so weird. blue hair Maybe the score on Topik II will determine if they categorize you as intermediate or advanced (i.e. just passing = int. high scores= blue hair adv.). I’m still against the grouping of levels blue hair 3-6 like that.
But even that is weird. There surely must be a lower boundary for when once can call oneself “intermediate” or advanced? What if one’s score in an area genuinely is too low for one’s ability to live up to the description of a level 3, are they then going to award a level 2 based on a test that doesn’t even include that level or will test takers either way get away with a level 3? I need to start spelling my way through these documents for some pointers about their future grading…
I agree. It’s making a lot of things complicated. I still can’t wrap my head around it fully. They said they did it to make things simpler, but they went far from it. It’s like saying you’re either basic or advanced (but not really advanced because we’re gonna mix intermediate blue hair in there). I mean, we as language learners should never get too focused on what level we are, but if I’m taking a test for it, I’d like to know.
Hello, darkfire382