01 Levels & digital badges
CKL has three levels. Grade 1 is the highest (the reverse of TOPIK). Each level earns a verifiable digital badge.
02 Exam subjects
Subjects differ by grade. The written part is multiple choice; the practical part is written open response (short-answer + essay) — there is no separate speaking test. Each subject is out of 100.
🥉 Grade 3 — Written only
| Part | Subject | Format | Items | Score · Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Listening & comprehension | Multiple choice | 50 | 100 · 50min |
| Reading & comprehension | Multiple choice | 50 | 100 · 50min |
🥈 Grade 2 — Written + Practical
| Part | Subject | Format | Items | Score · Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Listening & comprehension | Multiple choice | 50 | 100 · 50min |
| Reading & comprehension | Multiple choice | 50 | 100 · 50min | |
| Practical | Communication ability | Essay ×3 + short answer ×4 | 7 | 100 · 50min |
🥇 Grade 1 — Written + Practical
| Part | Subject | Format | Items | Score · Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Listening & comprehension | Multiple choice | 50 | 100 · 50min |
| Practical | Communication ability | Essay ×2 + short answer ×8 | 10 | 100 · 50min |
| Writing & expression | Essay ×3 + short answer ×4 | 7 | 100 · 50min |
Subject areas include Korean linguistics (phonology, grammar, semantics, pragmatics, history, vocabulary, hanja, orthography), applied/socio/psycho-linguistics, and Korean culture & literature.
03 Eligibility (step by step)
Levels are taken in order — earn the level below before moving up.
- Grade 3: Open to everyone — no age, education or nationality requirement.
- Grade 2: For holders of a valid CKL Grade 3 certificate (within its 2-year validity).
- Grade 1: For holders of a valid CKL Grade 2 certificate (within its 2-year validity).
Your WIA SOOM plan bundles the free exams up this ladder: One Soom covers Grade 3, Two Soom covers Grade 3→2, Three Soom covers the full Grade 3→2→1 path.
04 Fees — and how it's free
| Grade | Includes | Standard fee | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥉 Grade 3 | Written | $33 | FREE First 100M / One Soom |
| 🥈 Grade 2 | Written + Practical | $55 | FREE Two Soom |
| 🥇 Grade 1 | Written + Practical | $77 | FREE Three Soom |
Use-it-or-lose-it: a free voucher is valid for 6 months from issue — study and take your exam within that window. Re-sitting a failed part costs $33.
05 Passing, certificate & renewal
- Passing criteria: Each subject is out of 100. You must score at least 40 in every subject (below 40 fails that subject) and average 60+ overall.
- Digital certificate: Issued online for free — with your gold/silver/bronze badge and a verifiable record (WIA Chain).
- Physical certificate: From 2026, physical cards/diplomas are discontinued as part of our environmental policy — certificates are digital.
- Renewal: Valid for 2 years from the pass date; renew by completing 30 continuing-education credits.
06 How the exam runs
- Online CBT, anytime: Taken online 24/7, 365 days — no fixed test date. Apply, then sit when you're ready.
- AI proctoring: Identity and integrity are verified during the exam (camera + activity checks).
- Instant result: Multiple choice is auto-scored on submit; open responses are scored against a rubric.
07 Refunds (paid exams)
- Cancel before starting the exam: 100% refund.
- Cancel within 12 hours of payment, not yet taken: 50% refund.
- Cancel after 12 hours, not yet taken: 30% refund.
- No refund once the exam has started, or if voided for misconduct.