Sejong Institute Korean test expands nationwide as demand grows
Summary
The King Sejong Institute Foundation will hold its 13th Sejong Korean Language Assessment on Sept. 19 at 14 testing centers in seven cities and provinces, expanding access for foreign learners in Korea. Applications opened Monday and run through Sept. 6. The test is now being administered domestically for the second time after a June session, and the foundation said the number of centers has risen from five to 14 as demand grows.
Key Facts
- The assessment measures listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
- Scores are used for admission, graduation and major-entry eligibility at universities including Korea University, Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University.
- The assessment also serves academic requirements at Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri, and is used by organizations including Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and Daekyo for recruiting skilled workers.
- The test gained a legal foundation as an accredited test after amendments to the Framework Act on the Korean Language took effect on July 29.
Test takers participate in the 12th Sejong Korean language Assessment at Daegu Haany University / Courtesy of the King Sejong Institute Foundation
The King Sejong Institute Foundation will administer its 13th Sejong Korean Language Assessment on Sept. 19 at 14 testing centers across seven cities and provinces, expanding access for foreign learners in Korea.
Applications opened Monday at 9 a.m. and will remain available through Sept. 6 at 11:59 p.m. through the Sejong Korean Language Assessment website.
The foundation introduced the assessment in Korea for the first time this year, after previously administering it only overseas, and the September test will be the second domestic administration following the June session.
The number of testing centers has increased to 14 from five, the foundation said, as demand for Korean-language proficiency testing grows among foreign learners living in Korea.
The Sejong Korean Language Assessment measures communication skills in four areas: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Scores are being used as eligibility criteria for admission, graduation and entry into majors by international students at universities including Korea University, Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University, according to the foundation.
The scores are also used for academic requirements at Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri in the United States, as well as for recruiting skilled workers at companies including the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and Daekyo.
The Republic of Korea Embassy in Uzbekistan also uses the assessment as supporting material in visa reviews, the foundation said.
The foundation said the assessment gained a legal foundation as an accredited test after amendments to the Framework Act on the Korean Language took effect July 29.
The foundation said the organization would continue working with companies, universities and related institutions to expand the test’s use in employment, domestic residency and scholarships for international students.
It added that applications and additional information are available through the official Sejong Korean Language Assessment website.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
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