KIIP Placement Exam Experience
If you’ve clicked on this link then you must have already learned about the KIIP program, about to register, already registered or is reading this one day before the exam. I took the exam in July 27th in Daegu, which is the exact reason why I am writing this. I had many expectations for this exam and tried to prepare myself the best to get into a level higher than level 0 or 1. As the procrastinator I am, I didn’t really prepare till 2 days before the exam. I searched the internet for information on the exam but not many people talked about the placement test. So instead, I will talk about my own experience from A to Z.
The day before the exam I needed to do a couple of things; Print out your letter of confirmation which you would find on your account for the KIIP test account, that shows you are taking the test from https://www.kiiptest.org. Don’t ever forget your password when you sign up for something on a Korean website because finding that password would be very stressful, trust me. You also need to prepare your alien registration card or passport; if you don’t have it they won’t let you take the exam that day and you’d need to wait until the next exam. The final thing is a specific examination marker in the black color it’s called “컴퓨터용 사인펜” which means computer sign pen and that is double-sided (Thin side for writing and thick for filling out the circles). If you don’t have it, it’s okay but being prepared is the priority. Luckily, the test givers passed it around for people who didn’t have it; some people thought their normal pens are normal and didn’t raise their hand when they were passed around. There is nothing embarrassing about accepting the markers they passed around.
The night before I watched a lot of videos to see what would be on the speaking section and writing section, a video that was good for mental preparation was this video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tA9dSSDCgk. Let me tell you though, easy and hard questions were scrambled all over the place, so if you see a hard question skip it, leave it blank and try the next question. I spent some time on hard questions so I regretted using that time and couldn’t complete the test. The test-taking time was one hour. We were told to arrive at the building at 12:00 and be in the room by 12:30. While you are waiting, your alien card should be checked, you will be asked to turn off your phones and put your bags at the area they create for the bags. You are not allowed to leave during the test to the bathroom so if you need to use the bathroom go before the exam preparation begins.
Right before testing time begins; they will pass out the card where you will fill out your answers. I suggest you know how to fill in applications before this exam starts because the instructors won’t speak a single word of English to help you. You should still ask for help if you don’t understand or ask your neighbor. There will be many confused people like you, so don’t feel embarrassed. Actually, the lady who was in charge of my group was not very kind, she spoke to us like we were less than her, rolled her eyes a lot and spoke very quickly. I believe that she was inconsiderate of the beginners in the room and got annoyed when people didn’t understand. Hopefully, when you take the exam you will not have someone like her in charge of the room.
When the exam begins, work on your pace and don’t let the quick flipping pages in the room to discourage you. Remember, everyone in that room is a different level and it’s a placement test. It’s not about passing or failing but finding your level. Don’t fill in the answers randomly by guessing, you need to place in your right level. If you pass by luck and end up in a higher class, most likely you will be confused and behind in class. When the written exam is done then you wait for the speaking section of your exam.
The wait is so tiring; I waited in the classroom for 3 hours and a half for my turn of the speaking exam. The examiners had two classrooms that had about 50 students each, which kept switching back and forth from the classroom I was in. So, I wasn’t just waiting for the students in my class to finish but the students in the other class to finish too in the number order. While you wait two sheets of paper would be given for you. You need to write your name, ACR number, date and the city in which the exam was being held. This would be used for the examiners, so don’t freak out if you don’t understand exactly what it says. Basically, it’s the sheet that examiners would fill out.
I thought I needed to introduce myself to the examiners but I was more than wrong. I wrote an introduction, memorized it and wrote about my country. The differences and the similarities between Korea and Palestine but they were all useless. For the speaking section, we were given one passage to read, we went in 5 people together which was so intimidating. We read in intervals, one sentence at a time. I got a really hard sentence so I don’t think I did very well in reading and they cut me short. Afterward, the questions they asked about were based on the passages. In my case, the passage was about birthdays, what present the person bought and who they gave it too? Afterward, the questions were related to that topic but passed on personalized questions. If you were to celebrate your birthday, who would you celebrate it with? What would you want for your birthday? Where would you like to go for your birthday and what would you do? The final questions were about Korean holidays. What do you eat in Choseok? The same question was asked for different holidays. I believe this section was to see how much the person knows about the Korean culture more than just language so learn about the Korean holidays from what they drink, eat, wear and do.
The examination felt very stressful because the Korean levels of the people around me were different so answering, I stuttered a lot. I believe that is the mistake I shouldn’t repeat. So when you take the exam to be confident and ramble about whatever you can. I answered with short words but I wish I spoke more. Don’t be afraid to ask the examiners to repeat the question. I believe that the exam is not scary but make sure to have a good meal that will make you have a lot of energy during the exam and get lots of sleep beforehand. I am looking forward to finding out my grade on my KIIP test portal online to see which level Korean class I would be placed in, to begin my Korean language Journey. Hope you stay strong, confident and find the right level that suits you as well. Happy journey readers!