TEPS

Overview

TEPS (Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University) is an English test made by the university's Language Education Institute. The first test was held in January 1999, and a revised version started in May 2018 as the 248th test. It was designed so that memorised tricks do not help much, and it is used for civil service hiring, university admission and graduation requirements, and recruitment at companies. The TEPS Council, based at Seoul National University, runs it.

Exam pattern

The test has 135 questions and takes 105 minutes. It is scored from 0 to 600.

Item types by section follow.

• Listening has five parts: a response to a question or statement, a response to a short conversation, a question about a conversation, and two parts with a monologue (one question, then two questions per passage). Each item is played once, except monologue passages, which are played twice. Options are read aloud, not printed.

• Vocabulary has two parts: filling a blank in a conversation (10) and in a statement (20). Part 2 uses academic and technical words.

• Grammar has three parts: a blank in a conversation (10), a blank in a statement (15), and finding the awkward or incorrect expression (5).

• Reading has four parts: completing a passage (10), spotting the sentence that does not belong (2), one question per passage (13), and two questions per passage (10). Passages include academic texts, business memos, news articles, emails and messenger chats.

Marking and results

Scoring uses item response theory, and equating is used so that the same score means the same level on any test form. The total score places you in one of 10 levels.

The TEPS Council states that TEPS is certified by the Ministry of Education. A score of 327 or higher, which is Level 2 or above, qualifies for a national certificate under Article 23 of the Framework Act on Qualifications.

Scores are published on the TEPS site. The score page says 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday after the test, but the current schedule lists a Monday at 4:00 p.m. about a week and a half after each test, and warns that the time can change, so use the schedule. An online score report can be printed straight away, and a paper report by post arrives 7 to 10 days later. Objections can be raised within a week of the announcement. A score is valid for two years from the test date.

Important dates

Regular tests are held monthly on Saturdays. For example, the 411th regular test is on 24 October 2026, with registration from 7 September to 4 October 2026 and a late registration window from 7 to 20 October 2026. The 412th test is on 21 November 2026 and the 413th on 5 December 2026. Results for the 411th test are due on 2 November 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Fees

As listed on the official TEPS FAQ in 2026 (applying from the 382nd regular test, held on 10 May 2025), the regular test fee is 49,000 won in the normal registration period and 52,000 won in the late registration period, which includes a 10% handling fee. A same-day online registration option costs 60,500 won including VAT. Active-duty soldiers and some other military groups get 50% off in the normal registration period only, and the late and same-day options carry no discount.

How to apply

Regular tests can be registered for online or offline during the registration period, and the online route is on the Korean TEPS site with a member account, where you choose your test site and date and pay. The English site says registration is done on the Korean site, and that a downloadable registration guide for foreigners exists. For tests outside Korea, such as in China, Vietnam or Mongolia, contact the TEPS Council at +82-2-886-3330. You may retake as often as you like, since there is no limit on attempts.

After the exam

Scores from different sittings are not combined. Each sitting has its own report, and you can use whichever valid score you prefer.

Preparation tips

• Practise listening to items read once, because TEPS plays most items a single time.

• Study collocations and academic vocabulary for the Vocabulary section.

• Do not rely on tricks, as the TEPS Council states the test is built to reward steady reading and listening practice.