Applications have opened for the Test of Proficiency in Korean, to take place on April 16.

Test takers can choose to sit for the lower-level TOPIK I in the morning or the higher level TOPIK II in the afternoon.

The TOPIK I test consists of listening and reading sections and runs from 9:20-11:40 a.m. The TOPIK II has a listening and writing sections, followed by a separate reading exam, with the whole test running from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

The number of test centers has been expanded to 43, covering all provinces and major cities, except Ulsan and Sejong.

Tests will take place overseas in Asia on the same day and elsewhere on April 15.

Exam fees differ: TOPIK I costs 35,000 won ($31) and the TOPIK II costs 40,000 won. Applications can be made online via www.topik.go.kr, and close on Feb. 15.

Results will be announced on May 25.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)