Announcement of EPS-TOPIK Examination-2023

(For Manufacturing & Fishery Sector)

Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea (MOEL) and the Ministry

of Foreign Employment (MFE) announce implementation of point system for
recruitment of foreign workers, scheduled to launch this year.

Point system takes different road with EPS-TOPIK based recruiting to

comprehensively examine a person with their skills, physical condition,
experiences including but not limited to their ability for Korean. Specifically,
on the physical conditions, Applicants with color blindness, color weakness
are not permitted to pass the point system based test. Also, applicants with
any physical handicaps such as the slipped disc, finger amputation cannot
pass the point system.

In the Recruitment Point System, candidates will be selected in order of

highest score. To pass the first round, a candidate has to get at least the
designated points (55 points, Perfect Score of 100, Manufacturing / 36 points,
Perfect Score of 90, Fishery). After that, at most 110% of the expected
number of final passers of the point system will be selected in order of
highest score by industries to take the second round.

Passers at the first round of test will get a chance to take the second
round of test which consists of Skills test and Competency test.

The skill test has to get at least the designated points (60 points, Perfect
Score of 100, Manufacturing / 66 points, Perfect Score of 110, Fishery) and
in the second round the scores of these two tests will be added up.

Considering the accumulated point, the candidates within the expected

number of selections will be selected to pass the point system in the order of
the highest scores.

In the second round of the test, the candidates who have work experiences
in the chosen industry, national certificates corresponding to the chosen
industry, and training course completions related to the chosen industry must
submit documentary evidence for the Competency test. Also all passers of
first round must take Skills test. The candidates who do not take Skills test
will not pass the point system.

Candidates must check their physical states in terms of the color

weakness and the color blindness to apply the first round of the test, EPS-
TOPIK.

Furthermore, the candidates found to have color blindness or color

weakness in Skills test, will not pass the point system. If a candidate is judged
to be unable to work in the applied industry, the candidate also could be
excluded.
February, 2023

Supervised by the Ministry of Employment and Labor(MOEL) of Republic of Korea

Administrated by : Human Resources Development service of Korea(HRD Korea)
Cooperated by :Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and
Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment

What is Recruitment Point system of foreign workers?

1 Objectives
○Previous system allows only passers of EPS-TOPIK constitute valid roster, which
has not contained various elements of the person, for example their capability of task
completion, physical condition and experiences that Korean employers want are
dismissed

- Previous system limits the potential candidates whose Korean ability is low but
their competency for the job has been known great.

○ To overcome this limit, HRD Korea designed the new system for evaluating
employees comprehensively by not only Korean ability but also by their physical
ability, level of competence and job experiences.

- The system will support employers to hire the right person, providing them
information of various aspects of the job seeker to be hired including their EPS
TOPIK results, Skills test, Training course completions, national certificates, and job
experiences.

- The system will broaden its range for the recruitment by giving chances to the
people who has low ability for Korean but with plenty of job experiences and
dedication for the job.

2 What Constitutes Recruitment Point System for Foreign Workers?

○ Recruitment procedure: ① 1st round of test(EPS-TOPIK)
→ ② 2nd round of test(Skills test + Competency test)
→ ③ Adding up score
○ The way to decide final passer :Passers will be decided by added up score (highest first)
< Point distribution by industries >
Competency test (Additional Score)
Training/Academic Background
Total EPS- Skills Work Completed a One who has a
Academic
Industry Experiences vocational government
Score TOPIK test Background
(one year or training course issued
(College or
more) ( 120H or certificate
more)
more)

Manufacturing 200pts 100pts 100pts 3pts 1pts 1pts 1pts

Fishery 200pts 90pts 110pts 3pts 1pts 1pts 1pts

3 1st round of test(EPS-TOPIK)

○Test duration(Questions) : 50mins [Reading(20 questions) 25mins, Listening (20 questions) 25 mins]

○Format of Test

- Multiple choice questions, Listening will follow right after Reading section

○ The passers for the EPS-TOPIK: The number of passers in each industry will be withinat
most 110 percent of the expected number of final passers.(One should get at least 55
points(Manufacturing) and 36 points(Fishery)

* The number of 1 round passers can be adjusted according to the number of expected number of
point system based test passers.

4 2nd round of test(Skills test Competency test)

1.Skills test
○ Industries which require Skills Test :Manufacturing, Fishery
○ Three parts (① Physical strength, ② Interview, ③ Basic skills) constitute the test.

○ Points distribution
Skills test
Industry Total
Physical strength Interview Basic skills
Manufacturing 100 30 30 40
 Fishery 110 30 30 50
* Scores with less than 60% compared to the total score of the Skills test will fail in the final round

2. Competency test
○ Target (EPS-TOPIK passer): The test will be eligible for first round passers who have
work experiences in the chosen industry, national, and training course completions
related to the chosen industry

○ One can find the formats needed for Competency test on the webpage of the sending
agency or the registration desk. Please fill in the formats and submit the documents to
verify relevant job experience, diploma(Manufacture only), certificate of course
completion and national certificates.

*If one has never got any training, certificates, job experiences, the candidate should not submit any
document because the candidate is not required to take Competency test.
○Due date: Until the last day of application period of the 2nd round test.

3. Verification Process of the Documents Submitted for the

Competency Test
○ When a candidate submits the counterfeited documents, the test result of the candidate
will be invalidated and the candidate will be eliminated in the list. Also the candidates
will be forbidden to apply any EPS related tests in the following 4 years and will be
accused.

First Second Third

Documents will be Questions which are After taking Skills test,

checked and relevant to certain documents will be
scrutinized by the industry will be checked once again if they
sending agency. asked when interview seem questionable.
[HRD Korea, Interviewer] [HRD Korea+Sending agency]
[Sending agency]

Ⅰ Notification of the test

 The schedule of Point System for Recruitment

▪ Notification of the implementation :Feb. 1, 2023

▪ Application period :Feb. 13 ~ Feb. 22, 2023
▪ Announcement of test venue and date :Mar. 6, 2023
▪ Implementation ofEPS-TOPIK(CBT)
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Mar. 13 ~ May. 30, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Jun. 1 ~ Aug. 30, 2023
- (Fishery) Sep. 1 ~ Nov. 30, 2023
▪ (EPS-TOPIK) Announcement on the test result
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Jun. 5, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Sep. 5, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 5, 2023
▪ Application of competency document Period
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Jun. 19 ~ Jun. 22, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Sep. 18 ~ Sep. 21, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 11 ~ Dec. 13, 2023
▪ Announcement of Skill test venue and date
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Jul. 3, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Oct. 2, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 18, 2023
▪ Implementation of Skill test
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Jul. 10 ~ Jul. 24, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Oct. 10 ~ Oct. 23, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 21 ~ Dec. 29, 2023
▪Announcement on the test result
- (Manufacturing 1st,) Aug. 2, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Nov. 8, 2023
- (Fishery) Jan. 10, 2024
1. The Expected Number of Passers

The expected number of passers

Industry Standards
Total 8,028

subtotal 7,069
.The results of the first and second tests are
combined to determine the number of
Manufacturing 1st
Notice Later successful candidates in order of the
2nd highest score.

Fishery - 959

2. Industries & Subcategories

○ A candidate should select one industry and one subcategory. One cannot change
the determined industry after the announcement of test result of EPS TOPIK.
(Subcategory is can be changed in the 2nd round application period.)
-Subcategories of Manufacturing: (1) assemble, (2) measures, (3) join

- Subcategories of Fishery: (1) Sea Farming, (2) In and Off-shore Fishery

○ A candidates is qualified for just one application. Duplications in application is

prohibited.

3. Qualifications
a. Person aged between 18 and 39(’83. 2. 14. ~ ’05, 2. 13.)
b. Person who has not been convicted of imprisonment or heavier punishment
c. Person who have no record of deportation or departure orders from the Republic
of Korea
d. Person who is not restricted from departure of home country
e. Person who has no color blindness and color weakness
* Person with disk or finger amputation will be given the chance to take EPS-TOPIK, though
they can be restricted to pass point system based test.
f. Person who don’t have total 5 years or longer duration of sojourn including the
duration of sojourn combining sojourn period with E-9 visa and E-10 visa

4. Application for EPS-TOPIK

a. Application Period: Feb. 13 ~Feb.22, 2023
b. How to apply for: Online
c. Required documents
- ①Application form (will be distributed at the registration site)
※Application numbers are written on each application form, and one applicant can receive
and submit one application form only. If there is any error in an application form, correct
it with correction tape and submit it.

※One who needs to submit documents for Competency test needs to get a form(from
sending agency homepage or in a registration desk) in advance so that he/she can submit
it within the 2nd round application period.

- ② A copy of passport -Validity of the Passport: At least 03 Months

※A copy of passport is required to be attached on the application form.
※Under” ~100kb” size(600 Pixels. Jpg)
※It is preferable to attach a copy of passport with your name written in English.
※If an applicant’s personal information on the passport does not match the same as the one on the
application form, their entry to Korea is not permitted in any case, and the applicant is fully
responsible for any problem caused by the differences in their personal information. Therefore,
applicants are strongly advised to get their passport before registration.
※We will use the personal information (name, date of birth, and gender) written on the
application form and the applicant’s photo attached on the application form for their
future employment in Korean, and these are not changeable in any case.

- ③ photographs of 3.5 x 4.5cm (taken within 3 months)

※ If one cannot be identified with passport, he/she will not be able to take the test.
※Under ” ~15kb” size file (100~300 Pixels. Jpg), White background

- ④Receipt of test fee

e. Test fee: 28USD (Rs.10, 140/-)
※If an applicant has unavoidable reasons to cancel his/her registration during registration
period, the applicant can get a full refund(However, once it is cancelled, re-application is
not allowed)

5. The Notification on Test Venue and Time of 1 st Round Test

-Announcement Date: Mar. 6, 2023
- Method: ① the bulletin and homepage of SLBFE(www.slbfe.lk)
②http://epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr

6. The Outline of 1stRound

a. Test date:
- (Manufacturing 1st) Mar. 13 ~ May. 30, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Jun. 1 ~ Aug. 30, 2023
- (Fishery) Sep. 1 ~ Nov. 30, 2023

(The test dates are flexible according to the total number of applicants. To know
individual test date, please check the bulletin and homepage of OEC,
andhttp://epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr)
b. Method of test: CBT (Computer Based Test)
c. Test Duration
Orientation for test Duration
Test session
takers Reading(25min) Listening(25min)
1st session 09:30~10:00 10:00~10:25 10:25~10:50
2nd session 11:00~11:30 11:30~11:55 11:55~12:20
3rd session 13:30~14:00 14:00~14:25 14:25~14:50
4th session 15:00~15:30 15:30~15:55 15:55~16:20
*Test takers must take a seat at least in09:30,11:00, 13:30 and 15:00for each session.
*The details on the test sessions and test duration can be varied according to the circumstances.

7. Test Structure & Criteria for EPS-TOPIK

 Number of
Category Total Points Duration
questions

Reading 20 (Manufacturing) 100pts 25 mins

Listening 20 (Fishery) 90pts 25 mins
Total 40 100pts or 90pts 50 mins

a. Test Structure & Criteria for EPS-TOPIK

- (Test Structure) ① Multiple-choice questions, ② Reading and listening test
will be implemented continuously without a break.

- (Criteria) Among the person who got 55pts(36pts) or more out of 100pts(90pts),
Manufacturing(Fishery).

b. Necessary Items for test

- Examinee’s admission ticket (will be distributed on the registration day)
- Passport
① All applicants are required to bring his/her passport of which is the same with
the one posted on his/her application form
②If an applicant doesn’t bring passport, the applicant wouldn’t take the test.

8. The Announcement on the 1st Round Test Result

○Announcement Date
- (Manufacturing 1st) Jun. 5, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Sep. 5, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 5, 2023

○ Methods of Test Passer Announcement

①Bulletin board at SLBFE
②http://www.eps.go.kr,
③http://epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr
○ Methods of Test Individual Score Announcement
- http://www.eps.go.kr
 Ⅱ 2ndRound of Test(Skills Test and Competency test)

1. How to Submit Documents for Competency Test

○ Those who have to submit documents for Competency Test

- Among the passers of the first round, the applicants who has work experiences
in the chosen industry, national certificates or took a vocational training course in
the industry, are eligible for Competency Test.
- First round passers must take Skills tests and there’s no need for the application
(applied automatically). But, the applicants, who want to take Competency test,
must submit documents for Competency test within the application period.
*Those who don’t take Skills test are not able to pass the point system based test.
○ Application Period:

- (Manufacturing 1st) Jun. 19 ~ Jun. 22, 2023

- (Manufacturing 2nd) Sep. 18 ~ Sep 21, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 11 ~ Dec. 13, 2023

○ Place of Application: Completed by SLBFE

*The regional registration place will be announced after being confirmed by SLBFE
○ Application Methods: by visiting the mentioned organization
○ Required Documents & Requisites:
①Passport, Examinee’s admission ticket for EPS-TOPIK
② Application Form for Competency Test (check the registration desk or the website)
③ Documentary Evidences for Competency Test

Documents to be
Category Details Remarks
submitted

It can be submitted when one can get Certificate of Career.

Work Certificate of career
*For Korean company, the certificate from EPS
Experiences Homepagealso can be acknowledged.
(original document)
Certificate of training course It can be submitted when one can get Certificate of Submit copy of certificate, and bring
Training
completion Training course completion (including overseas courses) the original document on the test
Course
(original document) from the government or private institution. date
Completion
Submit copy of certificate, and bring
Academic Academic Background Certificate of graduation, Certificate of expected
the original document on the test
Background (original document) graduation, and Degree certificate
date
Any overseas certificates are not
Copy of national certificate or permissible,
National Only national certificates that are based on nationalsystem
The original of confirmation Submit copy of certificate, and bring
Certificate including official tests can be used.
document the original document on the test
date

*The work history in Korea is also acceptable.

* Certificate of career in Korea can be issued from the EPS homepage(www.eps.go.kr).
* Certificate of Training course completion must include the names of the courses, training
hours and the contents of the training courses.
* Academic name must be written on the diploma.
* If any of the submitted documents are found to be false or counterfeited, the test results of the
candidate will be invalidated, the candidate will be forbidden to take any EPS related test in
4 years, and the candidate will be under accusation.

Examples of Impermissible Work Experiences∙Training Course

Completion∙National certificate

∙ Work Experiences: Even though a candidate has work history in the applied industry,
the work experience will be impermissible if the experience is irrelevant. Experiences in
sales, human resources, accountants, education, public service (except for technicians), ,
gas station, cookery, serving and hairdressing are not applied to Manufacture,
Construction, Agriculture & Stockbreeding and Fishery.
Exceptionally, previous instructors in the applied industry could submit the related
documents. For example, a previous instructor of Assembly could be qualified to use the
experiences for Manufacture.
∙Training Course Completion: If a training course is not relevant to the applied
industry, the history is impermissible. For example, nursing, accountant raising, and
leadership development course are not permissible.
∙National Certificates: If a national certificate is not relevant to the applied industry, the
candidate shouldn’t submit Copy of national certificate or the original of confirmation
document. For example a driving license, language certificates, vocational licenses
(medical, pharmacist and lawyer’s license) are not permissible.
∙Academic Background: Only counts for the Manufacture industry, and irrelevant
majors to the applied industry are impermissible. Sending agency should set up the
standard of colleges or universities which are officially approved as higher education
institution autonomously. For example, school of medicine, nursing, accounting are
irrelevant with the manufacturing industry.

○ Test Fee: Free of charge

2. Announcement on Test Date and Venue

○ Announcement Date
- (Manufacturing 1st) Jul. 3, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Oct. 2, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 18, 2023
○ Method of Announcement: on the bulletin board and homepage of SLBFE

3. Implementation of Skills test

○Subcategories of Skills test & Score distribution

Industry Skills test
Total score
(Skills test) Physical strength Interview Basic skills
Manufacturing 100 30 30 40
Fishery 110 30 30 50

○ Test Period
- (Manufacturing 1st) Jul. 10 ~ Jul. 24, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Oct. 10 ~ Oct 23, 2023
- (Fishery) Dec. 21 ~ Dec 29, 2023

○ Test Duration
Session Orientation (30M) Duration (3H) Scoring
1st Session 08:30 ∼ 09:00 09:00 ∼ 12:00 12:00 ∼ 12:30
2nd Session 12:30 ∼13:00 13:00 ∼ 16:00 16:00 ∼ 17:00

* You cannot reschedule your test date & venue and please remind that the person who arrives
 later than 08:30/12:30 for each session will not be able to take the test.
* Documents submitted for the competency test will be verified again when interviewing for
Skills test. If document is proven to be falsified, test will be null and void and person will not
be able to take the test for 4 years. (Person will be reported to the authorities)

Ⅲ Results notification
○ Selection Criteria:
-The results of the first and second tests are combined to determine the number
of successful candidates in order of the highest score.
* Scores with less than 60% compared to the total score of the Skills test will fail in the final round

○ Announcement of Test Result

- (Manufacturing 1st) Aug. 2, 2023
- (Manufacturing 2nd) Nov. 8, 2023
- (Fishery) Jan. 10, 2024

○ Methods of Test Passer Announcement:

①Bulletin board of SLBFE

②http://www.eps.go.kr

③http://epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr

○ Methods of Test Individual Score Announcement

-http://www.eps.go.kr
○ Validity of the result of point system based test: for 2 years from its
announcement date

Ⅳ Other Notice and Comments

1.Applicants with color blindness, color weakness are not permitted to pass point
system based test. Also, applicants with physical handicaps such as the slipped
disc or finger amputation can be excluded on the valid roster.

2. The use of digital devices (including but not limited to cell phones/smart phones,
tablet computers, laptops, notebooks, music and video players, cameras, or other
telecommunication devices capable of capturing or relaying information) is
strictly prohibited. Using or possessing a digital device during the examination
will be considered as a cheating.

3. Dishonesty act includes, but not limited to cheating on an exam. Failure

maintain integrity on an exam will result in a loss of test taking chance for 4 years.
- Relevant documents for competency test will be verified three times in the
process of test period. If the documents submitted are proven to be falsified, test
result will be invalidated and the person can’t apply for any tests in EPS system
in 4 years.

4. If information in the passport and the application form of EPS-TOPIK do not

match each other, the candidate will be not allowed to pass the point system
based test and not allowed to arrive in Korea.

5. Notice about preventing spread of COVID-19.

- All applicants must wear the masks before entering the test venue and
comply with proper instructions or guideline for the safety of other people.

- Before entering the venue, all applicants must have their temperature and
clean their hands with hand sanitizer. If applicants have fever, cough or
other respiratory symptoms, entrance for the venue can be restricted.
- Please shun physical contact such as handshakes and hugs and maintain proper
cough etiquette (cough or sneeze into your sleeve).
 <Precautions for this round >

◈ The person who successfully got in will get a chance to be

listed

on the valid roster but this does not guarantee their

employment.

◈ If one can’t get through health checkup or has any records of

illegal stay, he/she will be deprived of any chance for

employment.

◈ If the drug test results are positive after entering Korea, you
can

be returned to your country

◈ Person who have more than 5 years’duration of sojourn including the
duration of sojourn combining sojourn period with E-9 visa and E-10
visa can’t take the EPS-TOPIK
◈ Scorer with minimum score or higher
- EPS-TOPIK
 (Manufacturing) 55 points out of 100 points
 (Fishery) 36 points out of 90 points
- Skills test
 (Manufacturing) 60 points out of 100 points
 (Fishery) 66 points out of 110 points

◈ Additional points are awarded to work experiences, training

course completion, national certificate in the manufacturing
industry
◈ Anyone who involved in the document of competency
assessment must submit it

◈ The penalties for cheating candidates and illegal substitutes are

being reinforced. Also the candidates will be forbidden to apply
and EPS related tests in the following 4 years. If one work
in(come to) Korea unfairly, he/she will be accused of law
enforcement
【Attachment 1】

Score distribution by industry

Competency test

Total Training
Industry
EPS-TOPIK Skill test Score Career Certificate (Academic

Background)

Manufacturing 100 100 200 3 1 1

Agriculture&Livestock
90 110 200 3 1 1
Construction, Fishery

1st test 2nd test

Competency test
Industry
EPS- Total Skill Training
TOPIK Score test Career Certificate (Academic

Background)

Fishery
200 200 110 20 20 50
(Special case)
【Attachment 2】

The Outline of Basic Skills Test

Industry Category Tasks Contents

Considering the diagram, insert the pins in to the slate
Insert Pins
provided according to the color, size and shape

Assemble Hang Items Hang the rings on the rod according to size.

Assemble bolts In the given amount of time, tight two types of bolts
and nuts and nuts according to the sketch.
Considering the diagram, insert the pins in to the slate
Insert Pins
provided according to the color, size and shape

Manufacturing Measures Hang Items Hang the rings on the rod according to size.

In the given amount of time, measure accurately

Measures
according to the length and volume.
Considering the diagram, insert the pins in to the slate
Insert Pins
provided according to the color, size and shape

Join Hang Items Hang the rings on the rod according to size.

In the given amount of time, link two objects in the

Join
designated point with the provided instruments.
Considering the diagram, insert the pins in to the slate
Insert Pins
Common provided according to the color, size and shape
task
Hang Items Hang the rings on the rod according to size.
Fishery
Sea Wheelbarrow Drive a wheelbarrow loaded with sand along a given
Farming driving course within a time limit
In and Off-
Rope grooming Organize and knot the rope according to the drawing
shore
and knotting within the time limit
Fishery
【Attachment 3】

(Job experience, Training course completion, National certificate)

Competency test relevant documents
Application No. (For Sending Agency)
I myself will take any responsibilities for falsified documents (certificate of career, copy
of certificate) in registering EPS-TOPIK
※ If applicant’s document is proven to be falsified, the test result will invalidated
and the person will not be able to take any test for 4 years.
Applicants to fill in * Mark the industry you’re applying for(●)
EPS-TOPIK registration no. 0032021C50600000
Manufacture ·Assemble(○) ·Measures(○) ·Join (○) A ·Rebar(○) ·Carpentry(○)
Agriculture&Stockbreeding ·Agriculture(○) ·Livestock(○) Fishery ·SeaFarming(○) ·In andoffShoreFishery(○)

Date of birth ... Contact no.

Registration date 20 . . Name (signature)

Applicants to fill in * Mark(●) your answer For sending agency

▢ Job experience (Only for those who have job experience)

True ○
One year or more Less than 1 year
False ○
○ ○

▢ Training hours (Only for those who had training)

True ○
Training Academic Background
120 hours or more Less than 120 hours College or more High school or less False ○

▢ Certificates (for those who have certificates, no more than two)

No. Name of the certificate Issued date Institute/organization True ○

1 False ○
2

Sending agency Name: (signature)

Interviewer Name : (signature)
* Period of total employment should be written in months.
** Certificate of training course should be verified first and total training hours should be stated.
*** Confirm the relevancy of the major specified in the certificate of graduation before writing.
**** Documents should be verified as authentic and total amount of certificates should be stated.