EPS-TOPIK Exams are back and better

The Employment Permit System: Test of Proficiency In Korean (EPS-TOPIK) examination is making its long-awaited return this December and early March after a 2 year COVID enforced hiatus. The first of the exams, the special EPS-TOPIK exam given by workers who have already served one tenure in Korea and look to return, is being held on this Thursday, the 16th of December(1sth Poush) in the new Computer Based Testing(CBT) method.

This is the first time in the history of the EPS-TOPIK test is being conducted with the use of computers and modern technology, an approach that proves itself to be much more convenient in the new COVID conscious society as well as a long term solution to tedious paper based methods.

The technology being used for the CBT is facilitated by the Korean Government in tandem with the Department of Foreign Employment’s EPS Korea Section, bringing forth this modern and much needed change in the old way of testing. The Director of the EPS section of the Foreign Employment Department, Suresh Raut highlights to us the salient features of the technology that makes it so much more convenient and better. The exams will be conducted on individual computers, in the Information and Communication Technology Center(ICTC) building, which has been fully equipped with the appropriate technology for the upcoming examinations. With the use of cameras in every computer with sensors and a central connecting feed of all the examinees' videos to the invigilator and control room, who monitor for even the slightest head movements and unnatural movement from the examinees, the Director confidently assures that the use of unfair means shall not go unnoticed in its slightest.

The 5146 examinees further shall use a specialized software provided by the Korean Government to sit for two exams on the computers; two 40 question listening and writing tests. These tests will be conducted one after the another with the tabs for each exam on the computer closing the second the time for the test elapses, with the answers being delivered to the authorities immediately through the software as well!

The software he adds, is also capable of reading the examiner's face only allowing the examinee to sit for the exam given the 40% resemblance criteria is met.

The result from this exam is expected to be published within the month by January.

Along with the ICTC building, for the second category of exams (the test that is reserved for new applicants looking to find employment in Korea), Director Raut further informs us that his department is further preparing their own testing center in Bhaisepati. He further adds, “This building shall have rooms that can house up to 50 candidates at a time and shall be equipped with computers, sensors, fingerprint readers, face sensors and control rooms similar to the ones being used at the ICTC building this time.”

For the price of 24 dollars, new applicants can apply starting from around February for the March examinations to be held in Bhaisepati.

The EPS-TOPIK exams that have been going on from 2007, when the Nepali government signed an agreement with the Korean Government to send migrant workforce to the latter, has been a cornerstone for migrant workers seeking safe passage to a foreign country to find well-paying employment. Since the need for a broker or agency is null and void for this process as the government handles all the processes, South Korea is one of the safest destinations for migrant workers to work in.

The workers are provided with proper insurance, healthcare and also social security money once they return with an added bonus of being able to go back for another tenure if their employer is satisfied with their work.

With a minimum salary of approximately one thousand five hundred dollars with incentives South Korea has been the prime destination for migrant workers with about 66,870 people having already been employed from Nepal since the EPS’s inception in 2007.

For the price of 24 dollars, new applicants can apply starting from around February for the March examinations to be held in Bhaisepati.

The use of the new technology is bound to shake things up for new applicants and returning workers alike. “The test that hadn’t been conducted for 2 years since 2019 now returns with much change and adaptation to the new circumstances. With new technology, the examinees must be prepared for the new technology and institutions must begin to teach examinees in these new methods and syllabuses”, says Director Raut.