KLAT at a Glance: From the Exam to University and Visa Use

KLAT stands for 'Korean Language Ability Test', or 한국어능력평가시험 in Korean. It is a Korean proficiency evaluation. The Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS), an incorporated foundation, develops and administers it. The test is divided into B-KLAT Basic and regular KLAT Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This guide explains the test structure, levels, 2026 schedule, registration, and 성적표 (seongjeokpyo, score report). It also covers recognition for universities, jobs, and visas in one place.

1. Before You Start

Things to Know First

KLAT is a test that evaluates your Korean skills. However, a KLAT score alone does not automatically grant a Korean visa, university admission, or a job.

Many internet posts say that "KLAT Level 2 satisfies the Korean requirement for the D-3 technical training visa." You must not rely on this statement under current standards.

The 2019 Ministry of Justice Directive included 'KLAT Level 2 or higher' as a Korean requirement for D-3 technical trainees.
However, the current 2022 revised Directive published on the Korean Law Information Center sets this requirement as 'TOPIK Level 2 or higher' or 'completion of King Sejong Institute Beginner 2 or higher'. It does not include KLAT.
Therefore, as of August 29, 2026, you must not describe KLAT as an official replacement test for the D-3 visa.

You can use KLAT when universities, scholarship bodies, or employers explicitly accept it under their own rules. School acceptance, employer acceptance, and visa acceptance by Korean diplomatic missions abroad or immigration are separate decisions.

1-Minute Summary

KLAT stands for 'Korean Language Ability Test', or 한국어능력평가시험 in Korean.
The Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS), an incorporated foundation, develops and administers the exam.
KETS is a non-profit foundation authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. However, you must not call KLAT a national exam run directly by the government.
Foreigners from non-Korean-speaking backgrounds, overseas Koreans, Korean university applicants, job seekers, and learners checking their Korean skills can take the test.
The exam is divided into B-KLAT and regular KLAT Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
KLAT levels range from Level 1 to Level 6. The testing body aligns them with CEFR A1 to C2.
KLAT levels and TOPIK levels are not automatically equal, even though they share the same level names.
Regular exams in 2026 are scheduled for March, May, July, October, and December.
The domestic exam fee is 40,000 KRW on the official schedule page. Overseas fees follow local test center rules.
The score validity period is 30 months from the test date.
You register online in Korea and by email overseas according to official notices. You must verify the actual method in the notice for each round and country.
Unlike past D-3 rules, the current D-3 Directive does not include KLAT.
KLAT does not automatically replace EPS-TOPIK for E-9, TOPIK for universities and visas, or KIIP evaluations.

What Is KLAT?

The KLAT Official Exam Overview describes KLAT as a test that measures the Korean communication skills of foreigners from non-Korean-speaking backgrounds and overseas Koreans. Its goal is to evaluate whether you can use Korean in daily life, study, and work, rather than testing only grammar rules.

Here are the main target groups listed by the testing body:

People who learn Korean as a foreign or second language
People preparing to enter Korean universities or graduate schools
People looking for jobs at Korean companies or in Korean-speaking roles
People who want to check their Korean proficiency objectively
Overseas Koreans and others who need to prove their Korean skills

However, "being able to take the test" is different from "the institution you submit to accepts it." Even if you are eligible to take the test, universities, companies, and visa authorities do not have to accept the score.

Who Runs KLAT and How Official Is It?

According to the KETS Corporate Overview, the testing body is the Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS), an incorporated foundation. It is a non-profit foundation established under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Permit No. 2011-37 and Civil Act Article 32. Its permitted work includes developing and administering KLAT and publishing textbooks.

KETS is the primary source for exam information. However, you must not judge visa validity based only on promotional statements from KETS. Therefore, you must separate descriptions clearly when citing corporate details:

Acceptable description: 'An exam run by a non-profit foundation authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism'
Description to avoid: 'A nationally accredited visa exam written and administered directly by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism'
Visa explanation: Check separately whether KLAT is stated in current laws, administrative rules, or diplomatic mission notices from the Ministry of Justice
University explanation: Check separately whether KLAT and the required level are stated in the university's application guidelines for that year

2. Exam Structure and Levels

Differences Between B-KLAT and Regular KLAT

The official exam overview introduces the test types based on study hours and proficiency levels.

Exam	Recommended Study Level in Official Guide	Result Level	Key Sections
B-KLAT Basic	Learners with about 150~200 hours	Level 1~2	Listening and Reading
Regular KLAT Beginner	Learners with under about 400 hours	Level 1~2	Listening, Vocabulary and Grammar, Reading
Regular KLAT Intermediate	Learners with about 400~800 hours	Level 3~4	Listening, Vocabulary and Grammar, Reading
Regular KLAT Advanced	Learners with about 800 hours or more	Level 5~6	Listening, Reading, and Writing

Do Not Confuse B-KLAT Level 2 and Regular KLAT Level 2

Both B-KLAT and regular KLAT Beginner show Level 1 and Level 2 on score reports, but their test structure, question count, and time are different. If the institution you submit to only writes 'KLAT Level 2', you must check four points in writing:

Does it accept B-KLAT scores?
Does it accept only regular KLAT scores?
Does it require a total score or a minimum score by section in addition to the level?
What is the validity period based on the test date or score report issue date?

The official exam overview mentions 'KLAT-Pro', but the current page states that it is planned for future development.

B-KLAT Exam Structure

This is the B-KLAT structure according to the KLAT Official Exam Structure and Levels Guide.

Section	Questions	Score	Time
Listening	25 questions	100 points	35 minutes
Reading	25 questions	100 points	45 minutes
Total	50 questions	200 points	80 minutes

Level	Total Score
Level 1	92~139 points
Level 2	140~200 points
No level awarded	Under 92 points

B-KLAT has no separate Writing or Speaking section on the official table. Therefore, it may not suit institutions that need a test evaluating all four language areas.

Regular KLAT Beginner Exam Structure

Section	Questions	Score	Time
Listening	30 questions	90 points	45 minutes
Vocabulary and Grammar	25 questions	50 points	30 minutes
Reading	20 questions	60 points	35 minutes
Total	75 questions	200 points	110 minutes

Level	Total Score
Level 1	80~139 points
Level 2	140~200 points
No level awarded	Under 80 points

For Level 1 decisions, the official table also lists benchmark scores by section: 27 points for Listening, 14 points for Vocabulary and Grammar, and 18 points for Reading. It is safer to check with the testing body before registration about how a minimum score requirement by section applies in the latest round.

Regular KLAT Intermediate Exam Structure

Section	Questions	Score	Time
Listening	20 questions	60 points	45 minutes
Vocabulary and Grammar	25 questions	50 points	30 minutes
Reading	30 questions	90 points	45 minutes
Total	75 questions	200 points	120 minutes

Level	Total Score
Level 3	80~139 points
Level 4	140~200 points
No level awarded	Under 80 points

The Intermediate exam has no separate Writing or Speaking section on the official table. If a university or employer requires all four skills, you must check whether a regular KLAT Intermediate score alone is enough.

Regular KLAT Advanced Exam Structure

Section	Questions and Tasks	Score	Time
Listening	30 questions	100 points	60 minutes
Reading	30 questions	100 points	60 minutes
Writing	3 tasks	100 points	45 minutes
Total	Total questions in official table stated as 60 questions	300 points	165 minutes

Level	Total Score
Level 5	150~239 points
Level 6	240~300 points
No level awarded	Under 150 points

The official detailed table shows 30 Listening questions, 30 Reading questions, and 3 Writing tasks, but the total row states '60 questions'. Test-takers should prepare based on having 3 Writing tasks, and check the detailed format in the round notice and with the testing body.

Official Vocabulary and Grammar Scope

The same official page also presents the learning scope for each level.

Exam	Vocabulary Standard	Grammar Standard
B-KLAT Basic	About 1,500 words	About 100 items
Regular KLAT Beginner	About 1,800 words	About 114 items
Regular KLAT Intermediate	About 3,200 words, cumulative about 5,000 words	About 180 items, cumulative about 300 items
Regular KLAT Advanced	No limit	No limit

These numbers are standards for the study scope, and memorizing only these amounts does not guarantee a level. Please look at the beginner and intermediate vocabulary and grammar lists on the official page together with the latest sample questions.

KLAT Levels and CEFR

The testing body maps KLAT levels to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

KLAT Level	CEFR Provided by Testing Body	Approximate Performance Level
Level 1	A1	Understand and use very basic everyday expressions
Level 2	A2	Basic communication in familiar everyday situations
Level 3	B1	Handle main points in daily life, study, and work
Level 4	B2	Deal with relatively complex content and situations
Level 5	C1	Use Korean at an advanced level in professional and academic settings
Level 6	C2	Very high level of proficiency

This table is the scale description from the KLAT testing body. There is no legal rule that other institutions must directly accept KLAT Level 4 as equal to TOPIK Level 4 or B2 in other exams.

KLAT and TOPIK Are Not the Same Exam

Both exams use Level 1~6, but that is where the similarity ends.

Category	KLAT	TOPIK
Administration	the Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS), an incorporated foundation	Ministry of Education, National Institute for International Education
Level system	Level 1~6 across B-KLAT, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced	TOPIK I Level 1 ~ 2, TOPIK II Level 3 ~ 6
Section structure	Varies by test level	Set by test type
Score validity period	30 months from the test date	Separate official TOPIK standards apply
Use for visas and universities	When an institution specifies KLAT	TOPIK is specified more widely across systems and institutions

Therefore, there are conversions you must not make.

Automatically converting "KLAT Level 2 = TOPIK Level 2"
Assuming that "CEFR B2 = meets the TOPIK Level 4 requirement of all universities"
Assuming that KLAT is accepted for all visas now because it was in past regulations

The standard is the exam name requested by the institution you submit to.

How Should You Understand PBT and CBT Terms?

The official exam overview of KLAT introduces paper-based PBT and computer- and internet-based formats. The instructions for examinees distinguish between PBT and CBT answer entry methods.

PBT: You take the exam on a paper question sheet and answer sheet.
CBT formats: You enter and save answers using a mouse or similar device on a test center computer.
Even if there is an expression like "internet-based," you must not assume it is an online exam taken at home at any time.
The actual exam format follows the notice for each country, test center, and round first.

The official guidance also mentions the possibility of group or unscheduled exams. However, individual examinees must first check whether public regular exams and designated test centers are running.

3. Schedule and Registration

2026 Regular Exam Schedule

This is the KLAT 2026 official schedule.

Round	Test Date	Registration Period	Score Release	Test Region
March	2026-03-08	01-30~02-20	03-17	Domestic and overseas
May	2026-05-10	04-03~04-24	05-19	Domestic and overseas
July	2026-07-12	06-05~06-26	07-21	Domestic and overseas
October	2026-10-04	08-28~09-18	10-13	Domestic and overseas
December	2026-12-06	10-30~11-20	12-15	Domestic and overseas

As of August 29, 2026, the official registration period for the October 4 exam is in progress. Registration for the December 6 exam is announced to start on October 30. Overseas test dates may change depending on local test center circumstances. You must check official announcements and local test center notices again for schedule changes, cancellations, or additional exams.

Test Centers

The official test center guide shows several domestic universities and overseas test centers as examples. These overseas locations include China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Japan, Vietnam, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Nepal.

You must not read this list as 'test centers confirmed to operate for all rounds in 2026'. You need to check five things before taking the test.

Whether the country holds your desired round
Whether it accepts registration for B-KLAT or your desired regular KLAT level
Whether the format is PBT or CBT
What the local registration deadline, exam fee, and payment method are
How to receive the score report and how to request a reissue

Registration Method

The official registration guide distinguishes between domestic and overseas registration.

Domestic

According to official guidance, you register online.
Prepare a passport-style photo file taken within the last 3 months.
Official guidance says the photo should be in JPG format.
Pay the exam fee according to the latest payment instructions on the registration screen.

Overseas

According to official guidance, you register by email.
Check the application form, deadline, and payment method of the local KLAT designated institution or test center.
The local registration period may differ from the schedule of the headquarters in Korea.

Some pages on the official website are provided through HTTP, and notices for old browsers also remain. Do not copy bank account numbers or payment guidance from third-party blogs, and verify them again through official domains and official contact points.

Name, Photo, and ID Document

On the application form, it is safer to enter your 영문성명 (yeongmun seongmyeong, your name in English letters) and date of birth exactly as shown in your passport. Your examinee number, date of birth, and English last name or first name are used for score inquiry and 진위확인 (jinwi hwagin, authenticity verification).

On test day, prepare your items according to the official instructions.

수험표 (suheompyo, admission ticket)
Original valid ID document
For PBT, designated writing tools for each round, such as a computer marking pen or pencil and eraser
Correction tape if needed

ID documents listed as examples in official guidance include a passport, 외국인등록증 (oegugin deungnokjeung, Residence Card, also called the Alien Registration Card or ARC), 주민등록증 (jumin deungnokjeung, Korean resident registration card), driver's license, and student ID card. Overseas test centers may accept only passports or set separate standards, so the instructions on the admission ticket come first.

4. Exam Day and Fees

Room Entry Time and Precautions During the Exam

These are the details provided in the official instructions for examinees.

PBT examinees enter the room by 9:00 AM.
CBT examinees enter the room by 30 minutes before the start.
For PBT, mark answers accurately in the designated manner.
Answers with two or more marks may be invalidated.
For CBT, select and save answers on the computer.
Follow the instructions of the proctor and local test center regulations.

Exam times and entry deadlines may change depending on the round and test center, so use your admission ticket and the latest notice as the final standard.

Cheating

The official instructions state that if cheating is confirmed, that exam will be invalidated and you may receive a suspension from taking the exam for 3 years. Being caught after the exam can also be subject to penalties. The instructions also mention possible criminal charges if you seriously disrupt the exam.

You must never engage in having another person take the test for you, forging ID documents, leaking exam questions, using electronic devices, or exchanging answers with other examinees.

Exam Fee and Refund

The domestic exam fee on the 2026 official schedule page is 40,000 KRW. Overseas exam fees follow local test center standards.

These are the refund standards set by the official instructions.

Refund Request Timing	Refund Amount According to Official Guidance
Before registration closes	100% excluding the remittance fee
Within 7 days after registration closes	50% excluding the remittance fee
After 7 days have passed since registration closed	No refund

The instructions state that postponing the test date is not allowed.
To request a refund, fill out the designated form and apply through the guided method, such as official email.
Local overseas test centers may have additional local payment regulations.
For special circumstances such as natural disasters or exam cancellations, check the separate notice for that round.

5. Scores

Score Release, Score Inquiry, and Score Report

The official score inquiry page provides inquiry using your examinee number, date of birth, and English last name or first name.

When you receive your score report, check these five things.

Whether your name in English letters matches your passport
Whether the exam name and distinction between B-KLAT and regular KLAT are accurate
Whether the test date, total score, level, and section scores are shown
Whether you can print or receive the score report before the deadline of the institution you submit to
Whether the institution you submit to requires an original copy, online verification, or a scanned copy

If printing does not work in your current browser, do not make repeated payments or install unofficial programs, but contact KETS.

Score Validity Period and Authenticity Verification

According to the official instructions, the KLAT score validity period is 30 months from the test date.

Score inquiry may not work after 30 months.
The instructions state that reissuing the score report is impossible after this period.
Universities and companies may apply their own shorter validity periods.
If a visa authority sets a separate standard for the issue date or test date, you must follow that standard.

The official score authenticity verification page allows you to verify the authenticity of the score report using your examinee number and issue number. Before submitting, check the scan quality and make sure the issue number is visible.

6. Visas and Practical Use

Can You Go to a Korean University with KLAT?

If a university recognizes KLAT in its application guidelines for that year, you can use it for admission, scholarships, graduation, or on-campus foreign language standards. However, not all universities accept it. It varies by department, program, degree, and screening track.

Applicants must check the following on the government Study in Korea University Search and the relevant university's 2026 and 2027 application guidelines for international students.

Whether "KLAT" is accurately written in the exam name
Whether B-KLAT is also accepted, or only regular KLAT is accepted
The required level and section scores
The score validity period
Differences between Korean tracks and English tracks
Conditional admission or additional Korean language requirements after admission
Whether scholarship standards and admission standards are different

University Admission and D-2 Visas Are Separate

The university accepts KLAT.
You pass the university admission screening.
You receive a Standard Admission Letter (표준입학허가서).
You undergo D-2 visa screening by a Korean diplomatic mission abroad or immigration.
They make a comprehensive assessment of finances, educational background, study purpose, and mission-specific language requirements.

Just because a university accepts KLAT does not mean that a Korean diplomatic mission abroad will not request TOPIK or other materials additionally.

Can You Use It for D-4 Language Training?

D-4 Korean language training is a program to learn Korean, so not all schools require a high prior Korean level. However, depending on the school, country, and diplomatic mission, they may check your study plan or basic language ability.

For KLAT to be helpful, the relevant places among the following three must explicitly accept it.

The Korean language education institution you want to enter
The university that issues the Standard Admission Letter
The Korean diplomatic mission abroad or immigration office in charge that will review the visa

Even if you have a KLAT score, it does not replace other D-4 requirements such as financial proof, highest level of education, tuition payment, or explanation of study gaps.

D-3 Technical Training and KLAT: Past and Present

This section is where old content has the most errors.

As of 2019

The 2019 Ministry of Justice Directive No. 1240 history page included the following Korean language requirements for technical trainees of overseas affiliated companies.

TOPIK Level 2 or higher
KLAT Level 2 or higher
Completion of King Sejong Institute Beginner 2 or higher

As of August 29, 2026

The Ministry of Justice Directive No. 1414 currently in effect is a regulation enforced on April 14, 2022. Article 3, Paragraph 4 defines the Korean language requirements like this.

TOPIK Level 2 or higher
Completion of King Sejong Institute Beginner 2 or higher
Exception conditions under the regulation, such as holding a degree or securing interpreter personnel

KLAT is not in the current legal text.** If the screen of an old Korean Law Information Center URL displays 'administrative rule (historical version)', you must not cite it as current law.**

Practical Conclusion

This document does not advise obtaining a new KLAT Level 2 to meet D-3 requirements.
The inviting company should check the Korean language requirements in the latest 2026 Visa Application Guidance Manual, the immigration office in charge, or the Immigration Contact Center at 1345.
Do not assume that a past visa issuance applies equally to your current application.
Besides Korean language proficiency, D-3 has separate requirements such as the inviting company, employment at an overseas corporation, training plan, age, number of trainees, and Confirmation of Visa Issuance (사증발급인정서).

E-9 Employment and KLAT

The Korean language exam for Employment Permit System (EPS) E-9 operates under the EPS-TOPIK system. Examinees cannot submit KLAT, regular TOPIK, SKA, or KIIP scores in place of EPS-TOPIK on their own.

KLAT can help you live in Korea or understand work instructions. However, that is a separate matter from replacing the E-9 selection test. E-9 applicants must follow the sending agency in their home country and official EPS notices.

E-1~E-7 and E-10 Employment and KLAT

Professional, designated, and crew work visas focus on education, experience, qualifications, employment contracts, wages, and workplace requirements by occupation. Some employers may accept KLAT as hiring material, but you must not generalize this as a legal Korean requirement for all E-series visas.

KLAT is specified in the job posting: Check whether you can submit it as hiring material.
Only TOPIK is specified in visa guidance: You cannot replace it with KLAT on your own.
No mention of a Korean exam: It does not mean KLAT is a required visa document.
Qualifications, education, or experience not met: High KLAT scores do not replace them.

F-6, F-2, F-5, Naturalization, and KLAT

Marriage migration, residency, permanent residence, and naturalization each use separate standards for Korean proficiency and basic knowledge of Korea. You must not assume KLAT replaces TOPIK, King Sejong Institute completion, or KIIP completion and evaluation just because it is a similar Korean exam.

F-6: Check the latest marriage migration required documents and Ministry of Justice standards of the applying mission.
F-2 and F-5: Check the accepted materials listed in the points table and permanent residence requirements.
Naturalization: Check the comprehensive evaluation, interview, and exemption requirements under the Nationality Act.
KIIP: Look up directly whether a KLAT linkage is specified in the current TOPIK Linkage Guide. As of August 29, 2026, the public stage-linkage table provides guidance based on TOPIK levels.

Without written evidence from the institution, do not assume that 'KLAT is also a Korean test, so it will work.'

When It Helps with Employment

KLAT can be practical material in these situations.

When a job posting specifies a KLAT level or proof of Korean proficiency
When an employer confirms in writing that they accept KLAT among various Korean tests
When you submit it as supporting material to show the Listening, Reading, and Writing level needed for work
When you explain your Korean learning outcomes and self-development

However, scores do not replace work experience, licenses, degrees, work visa qualifications, or interview skills. Even the Advanced exam has no independent Speaking section, so actual job communication may be evaluated separately in an interview.

7. Preparation Strategy

Who Is KLAT Suitable For?

People Who May Consider Taking the Exam

People whose applying university specifies KLAT in its latest application guidelines
People whose applying company or institution has confirmed that it accepts KLAT
People who have an accessible KLAT test center in their country of residence
People who want to check their Korean proficiency based on CEFR
People who plan to submit their score within the 30-month validity period

People Who Should Check Other Exams First

People preparing for E-9 Employment Permit System employment: EPS-TOPIK
People whose university or visa guidance requires only TOPIK: TOPIK
People applying to universities or diplomatic missions that accept only SKA: SKA
People preparing for permanent residence or naturalization in Korea: KIIP and related official evaluations
People preparing Korean requirements for marriage migration: Official proof listed by the applying diplomatic mission

10-Question Checklist Before Registration

It is safer to make payment after answering all ten questions.

Where will you submit your KLAT?
Is 'KLAT' clearly written in the latest official document of the institution you submit to?
Which exam do they accept between B-KLAT and regular KLAT?
Which test must you take among Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced?
What are the required level, total score, and minimum score by section?
Is the base date for the score validity period the test date or the issue date?
Is the score release date earlier than the university, visa, or hiring deadline?
Is a test center actually operating in your country and round?
Have you confirmed acceptance from the school and acceptance from the visa authority separately?
Have you met the requirements other than test scores, such as education, finances, employment contract, and invitation?

Preparation Strategy by Level

B-KLAT and Beginner

Daily vocabulary such as numbers, time, places, prices, family, transportation, and shopping
Basic grammar such as particles, tenses, negatives, and honorifics
Reading short notices, text messages, and signs
Listening for key information in repetitive conversations

Intermediate

Vocabulary used in schools, workplaces, and public institutions
Grammar expressing causes, results, comparisons, and pros and cons
Finding the speaker's intention and specific details in long conversations
Understanding the structure of explanatory texts, advertisements, notices, and short opinion essays

Advanced

Identifying the main argument and stance in news, lectures, and debates
Expanding vocabulary in academic, social, economic, and cultural fields
Analyzing claims, evidence, and development methods in long texts
Writing in the required length and format within the time limit

The official exam structure and the latest sample questions always come first. Avoid materials that advertise unofficial predicted questions as actual test items.

8. Misunderstandings and Safety

Common Misunderstandings

"KLAT Is a National Exam"

No. A non-profit foundation authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism operates it. However, its operating body differs from TOPIK, which a government agency administers directly.

"You Can Get a D-3 Visa with KLAT Level 2"

Not currently. It existed in the 2019 historical rule, but KLAT was removed in the current 2022 revised directive.

"KLAT Level 4 Is the Same as TOPIK Level 4"

They are not automatically equivalent. The institution you submit to must specify a conversion table or acceptance criteria.

"If You Pass Admission to a University That Accepts KLAT, a D-2 Visa Is Guaranteed"

No. University admissions screening and visa screening by Korean diplomatic missions abroad and immigration are separate.

"Because It Is an Internet-Based Test, You Can Take It at Home"

You must not assume this unless the round notice specifies it. Official instructions guide examinees to enter a CBT test center.

"Scores Are Valid for 2 Years"

KLAT official guidance states 30 months from the test date. Do not mix it up with the 2-year rules of other exams.

Preventing Scams and Misinformation

Be especially careful if you see statements like these in advertisements.

"100% visa issuance if you only obtain KLAT"
"KLAT is recognized equally with TOPIK at all institutions"
"Past D-3 regulations still apply unchanged today"
"Score report issued just by paying money without a test center"
"Having another person take the test for you or guaranteed scores"
"Urgent remittance to a personal account instead of an official account"

Cross-check the official website address, corporation name, email, test center, and registration period. Submit your passport copy only to required official registration desks.

Guide Table by User Purpose

Purpose	Realistic Role of KLAT	Official Bodies to Check First
Admission to Korean universities	Admission material when specified by the university	University application guidelines · Study in Korea
D-2 student visa	Can be admission material, but does not guarantee a visa	Applying diplomatic mission, immigration, and university
D-4 Korean language training	Supporting material when required by the school or diplomatic mission	University and applying diplomatic mission
D-3 technical training	Not among Korean language alternatives in current directive	Inviting company, 1345, and the immigration office in charge
E-9 employment	Cannot replace EPS-TOPIK	EPS and sending agency in home country
E-1~E-7 employment	Hiring supporting material if accepted by employer	Employer, Korea Visa Portal, and 1345
F-6 marriage migration	Do not assume replacement if not on official checklist	Applying diplomatic mission and Ministry of Justice standards
F-5 and naturalization	Check relevant system standards such as KIIP and TOPIK	Social Integration Information Net and 1345
Measuring Korean proficiency	Usable if suitable for your purpose and level	KETS

Official Verification Steps

Decide your purpose for coming to Korea.
Check the exact visa code, or the university admission or hiring track.
Search whether KLAT is specified in the latest official documents of that institution.
Confirm in writing whether they accept B-KLAT or regular KLAT, along with the required level and validity period.
Check the test centers, rounds, and registration methods in your country.
Register for the exam and take it.
After the score release, prepare a score report whose authenticity can be verified.
Submit it along with other admission, employment, or visa documents.

For final visa verification, use the Korea Visa Portal, the applying Korean diplomatic mission abroad, the immigration office in charge, or the Immigration Contact Center at 1345. From overseas, call +82-2-1345 or look up the overseas connection number provided by HiKorea.

Official Contact Information

These are the Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS) contact details shown on the official KLAT page.

Email: kets@kets.or.kr
Phone: 02-730-0206
Official website: KLAT Korean Language Ability Test

Contact details and operating hours may change. Please recheck the bottom of the official website and the latest notices.

9. Wrapping Up

In Closing

KLAT is a Korean proficiency assessment administered by KETS, and it is divided into B-KLAT and regular Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. In 2026, regular exams are scheduled in March, May, July, October, and December, and the domestic exam fee is 40,000 KRW. The levels are Level 1~6, and the score validity period is 30 months from the test date. KLAT and TOPIK differ in testing body, structure, and scope of use, so do not automatically convert levels. Use KLAT as admission or hiring material only if a university or company specifies it in its latest documents. Remember that university acceptance of KLAT does not mean D-2 or D-4 visa approval. Before registering for the test, it is safest to confirm the test name, level, and validity period in writing with the institution you submit to, the applying diplomatic mission, or immigration 1345.

Official Sources

These are the official sources that this document is based on.

KETS Corporate Overview · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Exam Overview · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Exam Structure and Levels · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT 2026 Test Schedule · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Registration Guide · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Test Center Guide · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Test-Taker Notice · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Score Inquiry · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
KLAT Score Authenticity Verification · Korea Educational Testing Service (KETS)
Current Ministry of Justice Directive on D-3 Technical Training (No. 1414) · Korean Law Information Center
2019 D-3 Directive History (No. 1240) · Korean Law Information Center
Visa Application Guidance Manual by Status of Stay (Distributed 2026-05-21) · Ministry of Justice
Study in Korea University Search · National Institute for International Education
KIIP TOPIK Linkage Guide · Ministry of Justice, Social Integration Information Net

Policies and schedules can change. Always confirm with the official sources before applying or departing.