More international students look to prove speaking proficiency with Sejong Korean Language Assessment test

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More international students look to prove speaking proficiency with Sejong Korean Language Assessment test

Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 16:08 Updated: 10 Mar. 2026, 16:58

YOON SEUNG-JIN
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Students take Korean classes at the King Sejong Institute Foundation in France in September 2024. [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]

For many international students planning to study in Korea, the Test of Proficiency in Korean (Topik) has long been the primary exam used to assess language ability for university admissions and visa requirements.

That test gauges reading, listening and writing skills, but some educators and learners pointed out that the lack of a mandatory speaking component limits its ability to assess practical communication skills.

In response, the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) launched the Sejong Korean Language Assessment (SKA) in 2022, which included a speaking portion.

The exam had about 6,400 test takers last year, about 1,000 more than in 2024 — an 18.5 percent increase. The foundation expects the number of participants to grow to around 15,000 by the end of the year, reflecting added interest among international students seeking alternative ways to prove their Korean language proficiency.

People take the 10th Sejong Korean Language Assessment held in September 2025, at the King Sejong Institute Foundation's branch in Tainan City, Taiwan. [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]

What sets the SKA apart

According to KSIF staff, what distinguishes the SKA is its emphasis on spoken communication. While the Topik also offers a speaking assessment, it is administered separately and is not a mandatory component of the main exam.

“Unlike traditional language tests that focus heavily on reading and writing, the SKA places greater emphasis on practical Korean that learners can use in daily life and professional settings,” a KSIF spokesperson said.

The speaking section is structured around several scenarios, including casual conversation and workplace discussion, depending on the learner’s proficiency level.

Through these tasks, test-takers are assessed on their ability to communicate effectively in real-world situations, rather than solely on their knowledge of academic language.

The iSKA

In addition to the paper-based SKA test, the KSIF also administers the internet-based Sejong Korean Language Assessment, or iSKA.

The iSKA adjusts the difficulty of subsequent questions in real time according to a test-taker’s proficiency level. KSIF says this allows the exam to measure Korean communication skills more quickly and with fewer questions, tailored to each learner’s ability.

Although the paper-based SKA is offered in 22 countries, the iSKA is only administered in seven overseas countries with established information technology infrastructure, including Vietnam, France and the United Arab Emirates, according to the foundation.

People take the second internet-based Sejong Korean Language Assessment held in November 2025, at the King Sejong Institute Foundation's branch in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates. [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]

Last year, KSIF also introduced a new testing method, “Bring Your Own Device,” at selected test centers. This allows test-takers to complete parts of the exam using their own devices, which the foundation says helps create a more familiar and convenient testing environment, particularly overseas, where equipment availability may vary.

According to the foundation, iSKA score reports carry the same administrative validity as SKA results at most organizations, though applicants are advised to check whether both types are accepted.

Different scoring methods

SKA and iSKA also adopted scoring approaches that differ from those used in other major Korean proficiency tests.

While Topik calculates scores based on the number of correct answers and the points assigned to each question, SKA considers additional factors such as question difficulty and response patterns.

According to the foundation, this method provides a more detailed assessment of a learner’s communication skills.

The King Sejong Institute Foundation plans to administer the SKA three times and the iSKA four times at King Sejong Institutes worldwide. [KING SEJONG INSTITUTE FOUNDATION]

Growing recognition and expanding access

The exam has gradually gained recognition among educational organizations. According to KSIF, institutions such as Yonsei University’s Global Leaders College, Korea University, Kookmin University and the Korea National University of Arts have begun accepting SKA scores for certain admissions, major declaration and scholarship-related purposes.

“The number of institutions recognizing SKA scores is gradually expanding as interest in evaluating practical Korean language ability grows,” a foundation spokesperson said. “We plan to continue working with universities and related organizations to broaden its use.”

This year, the foundation plans to administer the SKA three times and the iSKA four times at King Sejong Institutes worldwide. While the number of regular SKA tests remains unchanged, the iSKA has doubled from last year.

The SKA exams are scheduled to be held in March, June and September, and the iSKA in April, June, August and October at designated test centers and King Sejong Institute locations around the world, with a projected testing capacity of up to 15,000 examinees, the largest ever.

“The demand for the Sejong Korean Language Assessment has steadily increased in many countries,” said Choi Hyun-seung, secretary general of KSIF. “We will actively gather feedback to expand the scale of the exam in regions with high demand and improve convenience for test-takers.”

“By incorporating new evaluation methods, such as mobile-device-based testing, wider use of adaptive assessments and AI-based automated scoring, we aim to continue advancing the Korean language assessment system,” Choi added.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]