I recently signed up for the Korean Language Proficiency Test (KLPT) in a local test center. As of the time of this writing, the date of the upcoming test is at October 25, while people still have time until September 30 to register.

KLPT, along with another Korean proficiency test called Test of Proficiency in Korean (한국어능녁시험TOPIK) is the IELTS, the TOEFL of Korean. As you may expect, if you pass this test or maybe even get good results, it will be tremendously advantageous to your Korean learning journey. The KLPT, I quote:

The KLPT suggests the standard of qualification and good command of Korean language in carrying out specific operations for examinees who desire to get a job in Korean companies and governmental authorities located in Korea or other nations or prosecute knowledge in a university in Korea.

Shanna, of Hangukdrama, has recently taken the TOPIK test. I think it would be very useful to ask her about the test itself if you're interested. :)

One of the differences between KLPT and TOPIK, according to Wikipedia is that it seems that TOPIK has no oral component. This could make passing the test easier though (lol) but it could also be criticized as not being comprehensive enough. Anyway, it's your choice. I took KLPT because I had to miss TOPIK due to a conflicting exam schedule with my university.

Basically I think that it's best to take KLPT after you have studied Korean to somewhere near the intermediate level. Most Korean textbooks are quite standard when what constitutes intermediate language comes into question. If you're into Korean already, it would be that you already know about Hangul and pronunciation, learnt basic numbering and counters, have understood the basic grammar functions like 있다/없다, -하고 싶다 (expression of desire), long and short negatives, the future -겠다 and so on. It's easier than it seems (and I'd like to think that is really the case), but I really ought to brush up just in case!

In any case, if you are not so confident, you can also take Basic KLPT. How's that for a starter? Remember also to have a form like the below :P