KIIP Pre-evaluation Score-to-Level Chart and Cutoffs
After taking the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) pre-evaluation (사전평가), the first thing most people want to know is "Which level does my score put me in?" The pre-evaluation is not a pass-or-fail test — it is a placement test that sets your starting level based on your score. This article lays out the assigned level for each score, how the score is calculated, and two things that are easy to miss: the oral cutoff and the 85-point special case.
Level placement by pre-evaluation score
The pre-evaluation combines a written test and an oral test for a maximum of 100 points. Based on your total score, you are placed into a level as shown below.
| Total score | Assigned level |
|---|---|
| 0–2 points | Level 0 (Basics of Korean Language and Culture) |
| 3–20 points | Level 1 (Beginner 1) |
| 21–40 points | Level 2 (Beginner 2) |
| 41–60 points | Level 3 (Intermediate 1) |
| 61–80 points | Level 4 (Intermediate 2) |
| 81–100 points | Level 5 (Understanding Korean Society) |
The higher your score, the higher the level you start at. Being placed at a higher level cuts the hours and tuition you have to complete. But there is one more condition — the oral score requirement explained below — so don't judge by the total score alone.
How is the score calculated
The pre-evaluation score is split into 75 points for the written test and 25 points for the oral test.
| Section | Number of questions | Points | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written test | 50 questions | 75 points | 1.5 points per question |
| Oral test | 5 questions | 25 points | 5 points per question |
Getting all 50 written questions right gives you 75 points, and getting all 5 oral questions right gives you 25 points, adding up to 100 points. The total score used to decide your level is the sum of these two.
An oral score below 3 points means Level 0 regardless of your total
The condition most easily missed in placement is the oral score. If your oral score is below 3 points, you are placed in Level 0 no matter how high your written score is. In other words, there are two ways to end up in Level 0:
- Your total score is 0–2 points
- Your oral score is below 3 points (regardless of your written score)
For example, even if you score high on the written test and your total goes above 50 points, an oral score under 3 points still starts you at Level 0. Here, "below 3 points" does not include 3. An oral score of exactly 3 points does not trigger this condition. This is why you should prepare the oral test as well, since it tends to get neglected in favor of the written test.
Placement examples by score
Let's look at a few examples of how a total score leads to a level.
- Total 2 points → Level 0
- Total 15 points → Level 1
- Total 35 points → Level 2
- Total 55 points → Level 3
- Total 72 points → Level 4
- Total 90 points → Level 5
- Oral 2 points (regardless of written score) → caught by the oral cutoff, Level 0
It also helps to know the boundary scores. 20 points is Level 1 and 21 points is Level 2. 40 points is Level 2 and 41 points is Level 3. Each band runs up to and including its upper-end score.
With 85 points or more, you can go straight to the comprehensive evaluation
If your pre-evaluation score is especially high, there is a special case that lets you skip the education courses. With 85 points or more, you can take the permanent-residency comprehensive evaluation right away, even without completing the Level 5 basic course (70 hours). However, this only applies within 2 years from the date you scored 85 points or more, and after that this special case is no longer available.
If you are preparing for permanent residency and your Korean is already strong enough, this means you can go straight to the comprehensive evaluation without any education. For details such as the eligibility to take it, see the Comprehensive Evaluation (Permanent Residency / Naturalization) Guide.
What are the advantages of a high score
Being placed at a higher level means you skip the earlier levels' education. That means you save on both completion hours and tuition. For example, if the pre-evaluation places you at Level 3, you start from Level 3 without going through Levels 0–2.
Starting in 2025, the education became paid. Level 0 is free, Levels 1–4 are KRW 100,000 each, and Level 5 is KRW 70,000 for the basic course and KRW 30,000 for the advanced course. The higher the level you are placed at, the more your tuition burden drops by the levels you skip. The completion hours and cost by level are organized in the KIIP Completion Benefits and Costs article.
Frequently asked questions
What score do you need to pass the pre-evaluation? The pre-evaluation has no pass-or-fail line. Your score simply decides your starting level. A pass mark like 60 points applies to the level evaluations, mid-level evaluation, and comprehensive evaluation — not to the pre-evaluation.
What score do I need to reach a higher level? The minimum total score for each level is 3 points for Level 1, 21 points for Level 2, 41 points for Level 3, 61 points for Level 4, and 81 points for Level 5. Each level runs until the next band begins (for example, Level 1 is 3–20 points), and an oral score below 3 points means Level 0 regardless of your total.
If my score comes out low, can I take it again? Because the pre-evaluation is a placement test, you can retake it to aim for a higher level. That said, the test fee is KRW 38,000 per session, so it is to your advantage to take it once you are well prepared.
Where do I check my result and assigned level? You check it on the evaluation website (kiiptest.org) under My Page > Evaluation Results. The timing of the result announcement differs by test method. The application process is covered in detail in the Pre-evaluation Guide article.
Key summary
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Maximum score | Written 75 points + Oral 25 points = 100 points |
| Placement basis | Total score 0–2 / 3–20 / 21–40 / 41–60 / 61–80 / 81–100 points |
| Oral cutoff | An oral score below 3 points means Level 0 regardless of total |
| Special case | With 85 points or more, direct entry to the permanent-residency comprehensive evaluation within 2 years |
| Pass line | The pre-evaluation has no pass-or-fail line (placement test) |
The pre-evaluation is only a test to set your starting point, so don't get too hung up on the score — just start step by step from the level you are placed in. If you are curious about the placement routes and the overall program structure, read on in the Level Placement Criteria and Program Structure article.
If you would like to get a head start on vocabulary by level, you can practice KIIP prep vocabulary with the KIIP Study app.
This article is a guide meant to aid understanding and is not official information. Regulations may change, so check the latest details on the Social Integration Information Network (socinet.go.kr) and the evaluation website (kiiptest.org). (Written as of July 2026)