The CEFR describes six levels, from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient), in any language. Korea's own exam, TOPIK, uses six numbered levels instead: TOPIK I covers levels 1–2, TOPIK II levels 3–6. TOPIK's own guide gives no CEFR equivalents; Yonsei University's language institute roughly matches TOPIK 2 with A2 and TOPIK 4 with B2.
- CEFR levels
- Six, A1 to C2 (Council of Europe)
- Korea's exam
- TOPIK, run by NIIED for the Ministry of Education
- TOPIK I (paper)
- Levels 1–2: 80 or 140 points out of 200
- TOPIK II (paper)
- Levels 3–6: 120, 150, 190 or 230 points out of 300
- Score validity
- Two years from the results announcement
What can you do at each CEFR level?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the Council of Europe's scale for describing ability in any language. Contos writes its Korean stories at the four lower levels and moves readers up by vocabulary.
| Level | CEFR global scale (summarised) | Contos moves you up at |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Familiar everyday expressions; introducing yourself; simple exchanges if the other person talks slowly and helps | Start here |
| A2 | Sentences on immediate matters such as family, shopping, local area and work; simple, routine exchanges | 500 known words |
| B1 | Main points of clear standard input on familiar matters; coping while travelling; describing experiences and plans | 1,500 known words |
| B2 | Main ideas of complex text; regular interaction with native speakers without strain for either side | 4,000 known words |
Above B2 come C1 (using the language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes) and C2 (understanding virtually everything heard or read with ease). For how many hours each stage usually takes in Korean, see how long it takes to learn Korean.
How does the TOPIK exam work?
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is Korea's official test for people whose first language is not Korean. It is run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education, and scores are used for Korean university admission, jobs and some visas. The 2026 guide lists two papers and their pass marks:
| Paper (on paper) | Sections (questions) | Total, time | Level by score |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOPIK I (beginner) | Listening (30), reading (40) | 200 points, 100 minutes | Level 1: 80+ · Level 2: 140+ |
| TOPIK II (intermediate and advanced) | Listening (50), reading (50), writing (4) | 300 points, 180 minutes | Level 3: 120+ · Level 4: 150+ · Level 5: 190+ · Level 6: 230+ |
- One paper, several levels. There is no separate test for each level: your TOPIK I score decides between level 1 and level 2, and your TOPIK II score between levels 3 and 6.
- No writing at beginner level. TOPIK I tests listening and reading only.
- A computer version too. TOPIK IBT has shorter papers scored out of 400 (TOPIK I) and 600 (TOPIK II), with its own pass marks.
- Speaking is a separate test. The TOPIK speaking test has six questions, takes 30 minutes and is scored out of 200; in 2026 it is held in Korea.
- Scores expire. A TOPIK score is valid for two years from the day results are announced.
How do TOPIK levels compare with the CEFR?
The TOPIK guide gives levels and pass marks but no CEFR equivalents, so any comparison is somebody's estimate. One published by a major school is Yonsei University's Korean Language Institute, which places its own six course levels against both scales and says the match is approximate:
| CEFR | TOPIK level in Yonsei's comparison | Contos |
|---|---|---|
| Below A1 to A1 | 1 | A1 stories |
| A2 | 2 | A2 stories (from 500 known words) |
| B1 | 2–4 | B1 stories (from 1,500 known words) |
| B2 | 4 | B2 stories (from 4,000 known words) |
| C1 | 5 | — |
| C2 | 6 | — |
Note the B1 row: TOPIK 3 sits inside a wide band. If you need a certificate, prepare for the TOPIK paper itself; if you want a sense of your reading, the CEFR descriptions and a graded story are the quicker check.
What does each level look like on the page?
The Contos flagship series, Moonlight Villa, is written separately at each level: the same villa in Seoul, the same disappearing rooftop tomatoes, the same young man, Minjun, sleeping on the stairs while his startup struggles. Here is his working life at each level.
스타트업 회사가 문제다. 회사 돈이 없다. 민준도 돈이 없다.Seutateueop hoesaga munjeda. Hoesa doni eopda. Minjundo doni eopda.
매일 회사에 가기 전에 이십 분씩 여기서 잔다.Maeil hoesae gagi jeone isip bunssik yeogiseo janda.
스타트업은 망해가고 있었고, 월급도 못 받았다.Seutateueobeun manghaegago isseotgo, wolgeupdo mot badatda.
투자자가 등을 돌렸다고 누군가는 말했다.Tujajaga deungeul dollyeotdago nugunganeun malhaetda.
Measured across all the free chapters of the Contos Korean library (October 2026), the changes are steady:
| Level | Average free chapter | Spaced words per sentence | Free chapters narrated in formal -ㅂ니다 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 105 spaced words (297 syllable blocks) | 3.3 | 5 of 24 |
| A2 | 151 (432 blocks) | 4.5 | 5 of 24 |
| B1 | 186 (521 blocks) | 5.9 | 0 of 24 |
| B2 | 236 (667 blocks) | 6.5 | 0 of 24 |
How do you find your Korean level?
For a certificate, the answer is a TOPIK sitting. For reading, a quicker test works: read a chapter at a level and notice what stops you.
- Almost nothing, and you're enjoying it: the right level for building speed.
- A few words per paragraph, but you follow the story: the right level for learning new words.
- You lose track of who did what: go down a level. In Korean that usually means the particles and endings are not automatic yet.
Contos doesn't test you. You pick a level when you start, and it moves you up as your known words grow. If you are new to Korean, start with the writing system and then the 30-day reading plan.
Read chapter 1 of Moonlight Villa at A1. If it is too easy, try the same story at A2.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Is TOPIK level 2 the same as A2?
There is no official equivalence. Yonsei University's language institute places TOPIK 2 around A2 in its own approximate comparison, and its B1 band spans TOPIK 2 to 4. Treat any TOPIK–CEFR table as a rough guide.
How long is a TOPIK score valid?
Two years from the day the results are announced, according to the TOPIK site. Universities and employers may set their own rules on how recent a score must be.
Do I have to take TOPIK I before TOPIK II?
No. They are separate papers with separate registration fees, and you sit the one that fits: TOPIK I for levels 1–2, TOPIK II for levels 3–6. Your total score on that paper decides the level you receive.
Is B2 Korean fluent?
Not in the everyday sense of near-native. The CEFR describes B2 as following the main ideas of complex text and talking with native speakers without strain for either side. Yonsei's comparison puts it around TOPIK 4.
What level are the Contos Korean stories?
A1 to B2. Every series is written for one level, and the flagship, Moonlight Villa, is written at all four. Chapters 1 and 2 of every series are free to read in your browser or on iPhone and iPad.