The format
| Paper-based (PBT) | Internet-based (IBT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Writing tasks | 4 (51–54) | 3 |
| Long answers | 53: 200–300 characters · 54: 600–700 characters | Typed on a computer |
| Answer sheet | Manuscript grid for 53 and 54 | No paper grid |
The PBT writing section lasts 50 minutes. Formats and rules can change, so confirm the current test guide on the official TOPIK site before you register.
Using the grid as a ruler
- Spaces and paragraph indents take cells, so a draft counted without spaces will run long on the grid.
- On a 20-cell grid, 600–700 cells is 30–35 lines. Practice until you can feel 30 lines.
- Leave a little room: finishing mid-line near the upper limit is safer than squeezing past it.
See counting length in cells for why characters and cells differ.
Which rules matter
- Matter — one syllable per cell, empty cell between words, empty first cell for each paragraph, no period at the start of a line.
- Matter less — fine details that textbooks disagree on, like a gap after a period. Be consistent instead (why there is no single standard).
- Skip — titles and names inside the grid. Start answering directly.
Korean university essay exams give similar advice: their guidebooks note that hard-to-read handwriting, frequent spelling errors and clumsy grid use can hurt how well an answer comes across.
Practicing with the app
Leave the title empty and type your answer
Choose a 20-cell format (200-cell or 400-cell) and type a practice answer. The preview starts with an indented first line, like an exam answer.
Count lines, not characters
Count lines in the preview. For task 54, aim for 30–35 lines on a 20-cell grid. Do your final rounds by hand on a printed grid, since the PBT is handwritten.
The app’s English screenshots show a Korean sample text, because the grid is meant for writing in Korean.
FAQ
Do spaces count toward 600–700 characters?
On the grid, a space is an empty cell, so it takes room on the page. Use the grid lines as your measure.
Does the IBT care about wongoji rules?
IBT answers are typed, so cell placement does not apply. Spelling and spacing still do.
Sources: TOPIK Lab, TOPIK II writing format and answer sheet · NIIED, TOPIK IBT leaflet 2025 (PDF) · TOPIK official site · Veritas Alpha, 2027 university essay exam guidebooks (Korean)
Manuscript Paper: Writing Pad
Type the normal way and see it laid out on Korean manuscript paper instantly. No sign-up, works offline, and your writing stays on your phone. Free on Android, in English and Korean.