How do I prepare for the Naturalization Comprehensive Assessment (interview and written test)?

The Naturalization Comprehensive Assessment has a written test of 40 questions (60 minutes) and an oral test of 5 questions (10 minutes). You pass with 60 points or more out of 100. The naturalization interview is separate. If you complete the whole Level 5 course of the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (사회통합프로그램), you are recognized as passing the Comprehensive Assessment and are also exempt from the interview.

How the test works

• Written test: 36 multiple-choice questions and 4 writing questions (the 4 writing questions are combined and count as 1 task). Multiple choice takes 50 minutes and writing takes 10 minutes. You write on one 200-character manuscript page.
• Oral test: 5 questions, such as understanding, conversation, and listening and speaking.
• Content: It checks your Korean language skills and your understanding of Korean society together.
• Place: A site designated by your local immigration office (출입국·외국인관서).

How to prepare

1. Study Korean and Korean society, culture, and systems with the Korea Immigration and Integration Program textbooks. The Comprehensive Assessment tests the basic knowledge from this course.
2. Practice writing within 1 page (200 characters). You have only 10 minutes, so you need to practice writing short answers.
3. Practice speaking out loud for the oral test. Training to answer right after hearing a question helps.
4. When the test date is set, apply to take the test on the Social Integration Information Network (사회통합정보망) (My Page) during the application period.

⚠️ Things to watch out for

• You must take the Comprehensive Assessment within 1 year from the date you apply for naturalization. If you do not take it within this period, you cannot get naturalization approval.
• If you apply and then do not show up, you are marked as failed, whatever the reason. If you cannot go, apply to cancel your test with your local immigration office before the application deadline.
• You can take the test 2 more times within 1 year from the application date. If you fail all 3 times, your naturalization application is denied.
• You are not told the result individually. Check it yourself on My Page.
• If you have a disability or other reason that makes the regular test hard, submit supporting documents when you apply for naturalization and get approved as a person needing special consideration before you apply for the test.

Check the test schedule and how to apply on the Social Integration Information Network (soci.moj.go.kr), at your local immigration office, or at the Foreigner Comprehensive Information Center (외국인종합안내센터) (1345).