The EPS-TOPIK test
EPS-TOPIK is the first gateway to coming to Korea under the Employment Permit System (E-9).
What it is
- The EPS Korean language proficiency test, run by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.
- It tests reading and listening, covering basic Korean plus expressions needed for industrial safety and working life.
- It is often held as a computer-based test.
- Passing qualifies you for the jobseeker roster. Passing itself does not guarantee a job.
Schedules, eligibility, subjects and validity differ by country and year. Always check with your country's EPS agency and www.eps.go.kr.
How to prepare
- Check the official textbook and question types at www.eps.go.kr. Free materials are published.
- Practise reading and listening a little every day.
- Learn industrial safety vocabulary. These are the words that keep you alive in Korea.
- Work through past question types repeatedly.
What to watch for
- Brokers who "guarantee a pass" — you sit the test yourself. Anyone asking for money is running a scam.
- Cheating — being caught brings restrictions on eligibility and blocks the whole process afterwards.
- Fake textbooks and paid "information" — the official materials are free.
Where to go
- Employment Permit System www.eps.go.kr (official materials and schedules)
- Your country's EPS agency (the sending body)
- 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre (after arriving in Korea)
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour
Questions people ask
Can I retake it if I fail? There are retake rules. Check schedules and limits at www.eps.go.kr and with your country's agency.
Can I come straight away after passing? No. After roster registration an employer must select you, which takes time. Studying more Korean while waiting helps.
Does the pass expire? Yes. If it lapses you may need to sit it again. Always check.
Where do I learn Korean? Study with the official textbook or use a Korean language institution at home. There are many places to learn after arriving too. See korean-class-free.
Take care
Studying Korean is not for the test but for survival. Words like "위험" (danger), "조심" (careful), "멈춰" (stop), "도와주세요" (help me) and the ability to read safety signage genuinely prevent accidents. Keep studying after you pass.
Related
employment-permit-system · e9-visa-basics · eps-contract · korean-class-free
Source
Human Resources Development Service of Korea, EPS-TOPIK www.eps.go.kr / As of 2026-08