The 2027 examination schedule reflects changes in expected candidate demand following the replacement of the Korean history subject in South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination with the Korean History Proficiency Test. The 83rd session will take place on a Sunday to accommodate candidates who work on Saturdays.
Why Will the Korean History Proficiency Test Be Held Five Times in 2027?
In 2027, one additional Advanced Test session has been added, bringing the total number of annual examination sessions to five. The National Institute of Korean History announced the additional session to accommodate increased demand resulting from the replacement of the Korean history subject in South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination with the Korean History Proficiency Test, beginning in 2027.
The important distinction is that the Basic and Advanced Tests will not both be offered at every session.
Advanced Test: Five sessions, from the 82nd through the 86th.
Basic Test: Two sessions, the 83rd and 84th.
Basic Test months: May and August.
In particular, the 82nd session on February 13, 2027, will offer only the Advanced Test, reflecting expected demand. The Basic Test schedule has been adjusted to May and August.
2027 Exam Dates and Registration Periods by Session
The five examination sessions will take place between February and November 2027. Regular registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on the first day of each registration period and closes at 5:00 p.m. on the final day.
| Session | Exam Date | Test Type |
|---|---|---|
| 82nd | February 13 (Saturday) | Advanced |
| 83rd | May 23 (Sunday) | Basic and Advanced |
| 84th | August 7 (Saturday) | Basic and Advanced |
| 85th | October 16 (Saturday) | Advanced |
| 86th | November 27 (Saturday) | Advanced |
The regular registration periods and results announcement dates for each session are listed below.
| Session | Regular Registration | Results Announcement |
|---|---|---|
| 82nd | January 12–19 | February 26 |
| 83rd | April 20–27 | June 4 |
| 84th | July 6–13 | August 20 |
| 85th | September 6–13 | October 29 |
| 86th | November 2–9 | December 10 |
Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on the first day and closes at 5:00 p.m. on the final day. Results are announced at 10:00 a.m. on the scheduled announcement date. All dates refer to 2027.
It is important to remember both the examination date and the registration period. Missing the registration deadline may prevent you from taking the session you intended to choose. Since the Basic Test is offered only twice during the year, it is particularly helpful to add its registration dates to your calendar in advance.
Why Is the Basic Test Offered Only in May and August?
The Basic Test has been limited to two sessions because its schedule was adjusted to account for expected demand for the Advanced Test in 2027.
The replacement of the Korean history subject in South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination with the Korean History Proficiency Test, beginning in 2027, led to the addition of another Advanced Test session. The National Institute of Korean History explained that the Basic Test schedule was moved to May and August after considering expected demand for the Advanced Test at the 82nd session in February.
Candidates should therefore distinguish between the available sessions according to the certification level they need:
Candidates seeking Basic Levels 4–6 should choose the 83rd or 84th session.
Candidates seeking Advanced Levels 1–3 can choose any session from the 82nd through the 86th.
Candidates preparing for South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination should check the requirement for Advanced Level 3 or higher.
The most important point is that candidates preparing for the Basic Test cannot select the February or October sessions and expect to take the Basic examination at those sessions.
Why Will the 83rd Session Be Held on a Sunday Instead of a Saturday?
The 83rd examination session will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2027. The Sunday schedule was selected to make the examination more accessible to people who work on Saturdays and other candidates who may have difficulty attending on a Saturday.
The other four sessions will all take place on Saturdays.
| Session | Day of the Week |
|---|---|
| 82nd | Saturday |
| Session | Day of the Week |
|---|---|
| 83rd | Sunday |
| 84th | Saturday |
| 85th | Saturday |
| 86th | Saturday |
For people who regularly work on Saturdays, the 83rd session may provide a more convenient opportunity to take the examination. However, the Sunday examination date does not necessarily mean that examination hours or test center locations will be identical to those of other sessions. Candidates should consult the examination guidelines for their specific session to confirm their test center and detailed arrangements.
Should You Choose the Basic Test or the Advanced Test?
The Korean History Proficiency Test awards different certification levels depending on whether candidates take the Basic or Advanced Test.
| Category | Basic Test | Advanced Test |
|---|---|---|
| Certification levels | 4, 5, and 6 | 1, 2, and 3 |
| Number of questions | 50 | 50 |
| Examination duration | 70 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Number of sessions in 2027 | 2 | 5 |
The Basic Test is suitable for candidates who need certification at Levels 4–6, while the Advanced Test is intended for those seeking Levels 1–3.
If you are preparing for a civil service examination or applying for a position at a Korean public corporation, check the certification level required by the relevant organization before choosing your test. Holding a Korean history certificate does not automatically mean that it meets every institution's requirements.
For candidates preparing for the replacement of the Korean history subject in South Korea's 2027 national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination, the required qualification is Advanced Level 3 or higher. The Basic Test cannot satisfy this requirement because it awards only Levels 4–6.
When Does Canceled-Seat Registration Open?
If you could not secure your preferred examination center during regular registration, you can also check whether canceled seats become available. This additional registration period allows candidates to apply for seats that become available after other candidates cancel their registrations.
| Session | Canceled-Seat Registration |
|---|---|
| 82nd | January 26–29 |
| 83rd | May 4–7 |
| 84th | July 20–23 |
| 85th | September 28–October 1 |
| 86th | November 10–12 |
Canceled-seat registration is available only when vacant seats remain. It should not be treated as a separate regular registration opportunity or as a guaranteed alternative if you miss the original registration period.
Unlike the other sessions, canceled-seat registration for the 86th session begins at 1:00 p.m. on November 10. For all other sessions, it begins at 10:00 a.m.
What Should Candidates Do Now to Prepare for the 2027 Examination?
Before making a study plan, first identify the certification level you need and match it with a session that offers the appropriate test.
Preparing for Basic Levels 4–6: Choose between May 23 and August 7.
Preparing for Advanced Levels 1–3: Choose from the five sessions scheduled between February and November.
Preparing for the national Grade 9 civil service examination: Aim for Advanced Level 3 or higher.
Working on Saturdays: Consider the Sunday examination on May 23.
Preparing for registration: Remember that registration opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. on the final day.
Unable to secure an examination center: Check the canceled-seat registration period for your session.
Candidates should consult the examination guidelines for each session to confirm regional registration arrangements and specific examination center information. Although the annual schedule has been announced, individual arrangements may still change depending on operational circumstances.
For the latest examination information, consult the examination announcements and notices on the official Korean History Proficiency Test website. For inquiries, contact the examination administration service at 1577-8322.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times will the Korean History Proficiency Test be held in 2027?
There will be five sessions in total, from the 82nd through the 86th. The Advanced Test will be offered five times, while the Basic Test will be available twice.
Can I take the Basic Test in February 2027?
No. The 82nd session on February 13 will offer only the Advanced Test. The Basic Test will be available only on May 23 and August 7.
Which is better for the 2027 Basic Test: May or August?
The May examination is the 83rd session and will take place on Sunday, May 23. The August examination is the 84th session and will take place on Saturday, August 7. Choose the session that best matches your preparation time and personal schedule.
When is the final Korean History Proficiency Test session in 2027?
The 86th session will take place on Saturday, November 27. Only the Advanced Test will be offered. Regular registration runs from November 2 through November 9.
Can candidates preparing for the 2027 national Grade 9 civil service examination take the Basic Test?
No. The Korean history qualification requirement for South Korea's national Grade 9 civil service recruitment examination is Advanced Level 3 or higher. The Basic Test awards Levels 4–6 and therefore does not meet this requirement.
