You can still register for the 81st Korean History Proficiency Test through the canceled-seat registration period if you missed regular registration, but you must apply by 5 PM on Friday, November 13, 2026. Registration is available only if seats remain after the regular registration period, and this exam session offers the Advanced Level only. There is also conflicting information about the registration opening time: some official notices state 10 AM, while others state 1 PM. You should check the actual registration page rather than relying on just one time.
The examination will take place at 10 AM on Saturday, November 28. Registration is complete only after you have selected an available exam venue, submitted your application, and completed payment.
Missed Regular Registration? You Can Still Apply Until November 13
Canceled-seat registration for the 81st exam runs from November 11 through November 13. However, some regions or exam venues may have no additional seats available if all places allocated during regular registration have already been filled.
Registration period: November 11 (Wednesday)–November 13 (Friday)
Final deadline: November 13 (Friday), 5 PM
Registration coverage: Nationwide
Eligibility: Only where seats remain after regular registration
Available examination level: Advanced Level only
Exam date: November 28 (Saturday), 10 AM
Please note if you intended to take the Basic Level exam. The 81st session offers only the Advanced Level, so you cannot register for the Basic Level in this session.
Does Canceled-Seat Registration Open at 10 AM or 1 PM?
The official website provides conflicting opening times for the 81st exam. For this reason, it is better not to wait until 1 PM before checking.
The following times appear in the official materials:
Notice containing the 81st exam guidelines: November 11 at 10 AM
81st exam announcement popup on the website homepage: November 11 at 10 AM
Examination schedule on the official website: November 11 at 1 PM
National Institute of Korean History's 2026 annual schedule: 1 PM
In other words, official materials for the same examination list both 10 AM and 1 PM as the opening time. No separate correction notice confirming that one time has replaced the other has been identified, so neither time should be treated as definitively correct without clarification.
To avoid missing your opportunity, access the official website from 10 AM and check the canceled-seat registration menu. If registration has not opened, check again at 1 PM.
Official website: Korean History Proficiency Test registration portal
You Can Select Only Exam Venues With Remaining Seats
Canceled-seat registration is available nationwide, but this does not mean you can freely choose any exam venue. You can register only at venues that appear as available in the actual registration system. Venues that have reached capacity may be unavailable for selection.
Follow these steps on the registration page:
1. Log in to the Korean History Proficiency Test website.
2. Open the application menu and select canceled-seat registration for the 81st exam.
3. Read the examination instructions and important notices.
4. Upload or verify your applicant photograph and personal information.
5. Select the Advanced Level and specify your province or metropolitan area and region.
6. Choose your preferred venue from the available options.
7. Review your application details and proceed to payment.
8. Open the application confirmation menu and verify your final registration status.
Separate popup windows are used during venue selection and payment. If your browser blocks popups, the venue selection or payment window may fail to open. Check that popups are allowed for the official website before starting.
The venue selection popup and payment popup are used at different stages of the process.
You must check venue availability and remaining seats directly on the registration page. It is not possible to guarantee in advance that a particular region still has available seats.
The Registration Deadline and Exam Venue Change Deadline Are Different
One point that often causes confusion is that the deadline for new canceled-seat applications is different from the deadline for existing applicants to change their exam venue.
| Category | Schedule for the 81st Exam |
|---|---|
| New canceled-seat registration | Until November 13, 5 PM |
| Region and exam venue changes | Until November 20, 5 PM |
| Photograph registration and editing | Until November 28, 10 AM |
| Admission ticket printing begins | November 24, 10 AM |
The fact that exam venue changes are allowed until November 20 does not mean that people who missed regular registration can submit a new application until that date.
Anyone who has not yet registered must complete a new canceled-seat application by 5 PM on November 13. Applicants who have already completed registration can change their exam venue during the separate change period, which ends at 5 PM on November 20.
Venue changes may also be restricted by seat availability, so if you have a preferred location, it is better to check early in the change period.
Your Registration Is Not Complete Until Payment Is Confirmed
Do not close the page immediately after selecting an exam venue. Continue through the payment process, then check your application details in the registration confirmation menu.
On the final registration day, you should also consider the banking hours associated with your payment method. Virtual account transfers and other payment methods may have different transaction cut-off times depending on the bank. The official website advises applicants to complete payments and refund transactions before the relevant banking system closes.
It is helpful to prepare the following before registering:
An account that allows you to log in under your own name
A digital identification photograph that meets the personal identification requirements
Your preferred exam venue and an alternative venue
Your intended payment method
Browser settings that allow popups
If the venue selection or payment window does not open, check whether your browser is blocking popups. You should separately verify that the payment page opened correctly and that the payment was actually completed.
The examination fee for the Advanced Level in the 81st session is KRW 27,000. Cancellation and refund conditions may vary depending on the payment method, so check the applicable terms before paying.
What Should You Check After Successfully Registering?
The 81st examination will be held on Saturday, November 28, from 10 AM to 11:50 AM. Only the Advanced Level will be administered.
After completing canceled-seat registration, keep track of the remaining important dates:
Until November 17, 5 PM: Cancellation with a 100% examination fee refund
November 18, 10 AM–November 20, 5 PM: Cancellation with a 50% examination fee refund
Until November 20, 5 PM: Exam venue change deadline
From November 24, 10 AM: Admission ticket printing begins
November 28, 10 AM: Examination begins
December 11, 10 AM: Examination results announced
Venue changes and refunds have separate deadlines, so do not assume they follow the same schedule. In particular, ordinary examination cancellation and refunds are no longer available after 5 PM on November 20.
Admission tickets can be printed starting November 24. After printing yours, check the assigned exam venue and examination room carefully. On examination day, you must enter the examination building by 10 AM and bring your required identification document and admission ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still take the 81st exam if I missed regular registration?
Yes. You can apply through canceled-seat registration until 5 PM on November 13, provided that seats are still available.
Can I apply for a canceled seat at any exam venue nationwide?
Registration is available nationwide, but not every exam venue will have available seats. You must check the venues that can actually be selected on the registration page.
Does registration open at 10 AM or 1 PM?
The official examination guidelines and homepage announcement state 10 AM, while the official examination schedule states 1 PM. No correction notice resolving this discrepancy has been identified. The safest approach is to check from 10 AM and check again at 1 PM.
If I miss the November 13 registration deadline, can I apply on November 20?
No. November 20 is the deadline for existing applicants to change their exam venue. The deadline for new canceled-seat applications is 5 PM on November 13.
Do I have to upload my photograph on the day I register?
The photograph registration and editing period for the 81st exam runs from 10 AM on November 11 until 10 AM on November 28, the examination day. However, you cannot print your admission ticket without registering a photograph. If the photograph does not allow your identity to be verified, your admission to the examination may be restricted.
