2026 KIIP Tests Explained: Placement, Midterm, Permanent Residency & Naturalization Exams
Which KIIP Test Do You Need?
A complete English guide to the KIIP placement test, midterm evaluation, permanent-residency comprehensive evaluation, and naturalization comprehensive evaluation.
Important: These four evaluations have different applicants, formats, and benefits. Passing a KIIP evaluation does not automatically grant permanent residency or naturalization. You must still satisfy all requirements for the immigration or nationality application concerned.
Quick Comparison
| Evaluation | Main Purpose | Format | Questions / Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Placement Test | Assigns KIIP Level 0–5 | PBT or CBT | 55 questions / 70 min. | Level assignment |
| Midterm Evaluation | Evaluates completion of Level 4 | PBT or CBT | 35 questions / 60 min. | Pass at 60+ |
| Permanent-Residency Comprehensive | Tests basic knowledge for permanent residency | PBT | 45 questions / 70 min. | Pass at 60+ |
| Naturalization Comprehensive | Tests knowledge for naturalization | PBT or CBT | 45 questions / 70 min. | Pass at 60+ |
KIIP Placement Test (사전평가)
The placement test measures an applicant’s Korean-language ability and related knowledge to assign the appropriate KIIP education level and study hours.
Who Can Apply?
- Legally residing foreigners and naturalized citizens who hold an Alien Registration Card or Residence Report Card. A naturalized citizen whose nationality acquisition date was more than three years ago is excluded.
- People who entered Korea with an Overseas Korean Visit visa (C-3-8) while their authorized stay remains valid. However, they cannot attend KIIP classes until completing foreigner registration.
Who Is Restricted?
- People already attending a class after receiving a level through the placement test
- People whose KIIP completion suspension began less than six months ago
- People who were removed from KIIP and are currently prohibited from participating
You may start from Level 0 without taking the placement test. Other possible level-assignment routes include TOPIK linkage, marriage-immigrant visa linkage, and an approved intermediate Korean-language course from another institution.
Test Format
| Section | Contents | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Test | 38 Korean-language and 10 Korean-culture multiple-choice questions | 48 | 60 min. | 75 |
| Short-answer Korean questions | 2 | |||
| Oral Test | Reading, comprehension, conversation, and listening/speaking | 5 | 10 min. | 25 |
The official testing time is 70 minutes, but the entire visit may take up to three or four hours because of waiting time for the oral test.
Level Assignment by Score
| Assigned Level | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 0–2* | 3–20 | 21–40 | 41–60 | 61–80 | 81–100 |
*A person receiving fewer than three points in the oral test is assigned to Level 0 regardless of the written-test score.
Score validity: The result is valid for two years from the result announcement date. A person scoring 85 or higher may apply for the permanent-residency comprehensive evaluation within that period without taking KIIP classes. Passing that evaluation alone satisfies the applicable permanent-residency basic-knowledge condition but is not treated as KIIP course completion.
KIIP Midterm Evaluation (중간평가)
The midterm evaluation measures Korean-language and Korean-culture ability after KIIP Level 4 or an approved linked intermediate Korean course.
Eligibility
- A person who completed KIIP Level 4 within the previous two years
- A person approved through a KIIP-linked intermediate Korean-language course
Test Format
| Section | Type | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Test | Multiple choice | 28 | 40 min. | 70 |
| Writing* | 2 | 10 min. | 5 | |
| Oral Test | Speaking, explaining, and conversation | 5 | 10 min. | 25 |
*The writing task requires an answer of no more than 100 Korean characters. Two prompts are combined into one writing task.
Passing score: 60 or higher out of 100. Decimal points are discarded.
A successful regular KIIP Level 4 participant is recorded as having completed Level 4 and advances to Level 5. A linked-course participant who passes is not automatically recognized as having completed KIIP Level 4.
Permanent-Residency Comprehensive Evaluation (영주용 종합평가)
This evaluation measures Korean language, Korean culture, and understanding of Korean society for participants in the basic Korean Society course and people applying for permanent residency.
Eligibility
- A person who completed the 70-hour KIIP Level 5 basic course
- A person who did not complete that course but scored 85 or higher on the placement test within the previous two years
Test Format: PBT
| Section | Type | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Test | Multiple choice | 36 | 50 min. | 65* |
| Writing** | 4 | 10 min. | 10 | |
| Oral Test | Speaking, explaining, and conversation | 5 | 10 min. | 25 |
*The multiple-choice weighting may change. The current official example is 14 questions × 1.5 points and 22 questions × 2 points.
**The writing section uses a combined prompt and requires an answer within 200 Korean characters.
Passing score: 60 or higher out of 100.
After completing Level 5 basic: Passing is recognized as permanent-residency KIIP completion and satisfies the relevant permanent-residency basic-knowledge condition.
Using a placement score of 85+ without Level 5 basic: Passing satisfies the relevant basic-knowledge condition but is not recognized as permanent-residency KIIP course completion. If the person later completes Level 5 basic, completion can be recognized without another evaluation.
Naturalization Comprehensive Evaluation (귀화용 종합평가)
This evaluation measures Korean language, Korean culture, and understanding of Korean society for advanced Korean Society course participants and naturalization applicants.
Eligibility
- A person who completed the complete KIIP Level 5 course, including the basic and advanced courses
- A person who filed a naturalization application on or after March 1, 2018, and takes the evaluation within one year of the filing date
A special transitional exception applies to certain participants whose completion was recognized before July 17, 2016. Check your eligibility on the official evaluation website if this may apply to you.
Test Format: PBT or CBT
| Section | Type | Questions | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Test | Multiple choice | 36 | 50 min. | 65* |
| Writing** | 4 | 10 min. | 10 | |
| Oral Test | Speaking, explaining, and conversation | 5 | 10 min. | 25 |
*The multiple-choice weighting may change. The current official example is 7 questions × 1 point and 29 questions × 2 points.
**The writing section uses a combined prompt and requires an answer within 200 Korean characters.
Passing score: 60 or higher out of 100.
After completing the full Level 5 course: Passing is recognized as naturalization KIIP completion, satisfies the relevant permanent-residency basic-knowledge condition, is recognized as passing the naturalization comprehensive evaluation, and qualifies for recognition of exemption from the naturalization interview.
Naturalization applicant without full Level 5 completion: Passing is recognized as passing the applicant’s comprehensive evaluation and satisfies the relevant basic-knowledge condition, but it is not recognized as KIIP completion or as an interview exemption. The applicant is assigned to Level 5 for two years.
PBT, CBT, Results, and Registration
PBT
Paper-based testing uses an OMR answer sheet. Written answers are completed directly on the designated answer sheet.
CBT
Computer-based testing uses on-screen answer selection and keyboard input. CBT is not listed for every evaluation type.
- Placement and midterm PBT results: normally available after 4:00 p.m. on the 13th day after the test
- Permanent-residency and naturalization comprehensive PBT results: normally available after 4:00 p.m. six days after the test
- Applicable CBT results: normally available after 4:00 p.m. two business days after the test
- Result location: My Page → Score Check on the KIIP Evaluation website
How to Register
Evaluation registration is completed online through the KIIP Evaluation website. Offline applications by visit or mail are not accepted.
Officially listed test fee: KRW 38,000 for PBT or CBT, including VAT. Check the current notice before paying because schedules and conditions may change.
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