KIIP Level 5 Test

The KIIP Level 5 Test in Daegu was administered at Yeungjin College on April 28, 2018, Saturday (2^nd test for the year). Applicants for both the permanent residency test and nationality test took it at the same time. However, the two groups were placed in separate classrooms. I only applied for the permanent residency test and so did not attend the additional 20 hours of class. A Korean friend told me that I can also attend the additional hours and take the nationality test if I wanted to.

For the KIIP tests, applicants have to be at the test venue (room) before 12:30 PM. By 12:30 PM, the test administrators instructed us to put everything inside our bag (just leave the ARC card or passport on the table), turn-off our mobile phones and place our bags at the front (they laid a mat on the floor). They then distributed the OMR cards, pens (ballpen and markers), writing test answer sheet and the questionnaire. The test started at 1PM.

The test was divided into 3 sections. The written test (objective questions) had 36 multiple questions with a 50-minute time limit (1:00-1:50PM). There were questions about vocabulary, reading comprehension, history and government. I find the Level 5 written test questions easier than the Level 4. It seems there were less reading texts and it was shorter too compared to Level 4. There was not a lot of questions from the Level 5 lessons. After the written test, the test administrators distributed the writing test question and we started the test at 1:55PM. We were only given 10 minutes to finish it. I felt that 10 minutes was not enough to write a 200-character essay. I usually write in pencil but a test administrator saw me and said I should write using a pen. I really prefer writing in pencil because I can easily erase it. The question for this test was about our experience of a Korean Traditional Culture. I wrote about the time I wore a Korean hanbok. There were two additional questions: about how it was different from our hometown and how we felt when we experienced it.

Once the writing test was over, we were given time to go to the bathroom and the speaking test started at 2:15PM. This time I did not have to wait too long compared to the Level 3 and Level 4 speaking test. In both those previous tests, I was always among the last people called. However, unlike Level 4, we were not allowed to get our bags while waiting. We can only grab our bags when it was our turn to go to the waiting area for the speaking test. As usual, there were two applicants at a time and we were given two pieces of paper to hand over to the speaking test administrators. The papers were the score rubric for the speaking test. We were asked to read a passage (silently) and questions related to it were asked. The topic of the passage we read was about the Korean education fever and Suneung. We were also asked questions related to Jeju and a place in our hometown that is similar to Jeju as well as some of the Korean national holidays. Speaking is my weakest Korean skill and I felt that I did not do so well in this part of the exam. I was able to say something when they ask a question however I am not really sure if my answers were correct.

Since I know my Korean speaking ability is not that great, I usually study hard for the written and writing portion of the exam. I usually do not aim for high scores; I just hope to get enough score to pass so I do not have to take the exam again. During my Level 5 class, one of our classmates mentioned that he took the exam before and was asked to sing the Korean National Anthem (he did not pass). I was not able to ask which type of exam he took, but just to be sure I memorized it as well. It was not included during the permanent residency test but I heard from another student who took the nationality test that they were asked to sing the first part of the anthem.

KIIP Level 4 Test

NOTE: I only realized now that I have not posted this topic. I took the Level 4 exam last December 09, 2017 and should have posted about it at least weeks after but I have totally forgotten. I have already taken the Level 5 class and exam which I will post about later.

I did the KIIP Level 4 classes at Keimyung University every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 2PM. Unlike Levels 1 to 3 in which the exam is conducted on the last day of class, the Level 4 mid-term exam has to be registered through the website (www.socinet.go.kr) and is usually conducted in a different location. The exam location assigned to our class was the Dong-gu Multicultural Center, the same place where I took KIIP Level 3 classes. I found out that there was also a test being administered at the Daegu Immigration Center on the same day.

The KIIP Level 4 test was divided into three parts. The first part was a written test, followed by a writing test and finally a speaking test. The written test had 28 multiple choice questions with a 40-minute time limit. I have to say that 40 minutes is not enough with all the reading texts that had to be done. I think it may also be because I did not know the meaning of some words so I have to read and re-read the text to try and understand it. Some questions that were asked were also from the Level 3 lessons like food and family titles. After the written test, the facilitators distributed the writing test question and answer sheet. Only 10 minutes were allotted to finish it. If I translated the questions correctly, I think we were asked “what job would you like?” and “what effort do you need to make to get that job?”. I wrote down my answer in pencil first on the question page before writing it on the answer sheet in pen. After the writing test, we were given a chance to go to the restroom.

After a 15-minute break, the speaking test started. Those who were pregnant or had kids with them were called first. There were a couple of questions asked during the speaking test. For the first part, we were asked to look at three pictures and describe it to the examiners. What we got were pictures of different volunteering activities. The second question were about other volunteering activities we would like to do. This was followed by questions about our favorite season and the reason. The last question was about a rule that we have to follow in our daily life which if we did not do would result in us paying a penalty. When we informed our teacher about the picture topic, she mentioned that it was the first time that it was used in this exam.

Here is the time schedule that we followed during exam day:

12:30-1PM: Giving of instructions, distribution of answer sheet, questionnaire, and pen

1:00-1:40PM: Written Test

1:40-1:45PM: Distribution of writing test answer sheet and questions

1:45-1:55PM: Writing Test

1:55-2PM: Collection of writing test answer sheet and pens

2:00-2:15PM: Break

2:15-4PM: Speaking Test (wait in the same room and proceed to another location once name is called)

The results became available on Thursday of the following week (though they usually say it comes out on Friday). I was really worried about it since I was not sure of my answers for the written test and my Korean speaking skills are not that good. However, I am relieved to find out that I passed Level 4.