Easy6 Launch Week Day 3: Typing trainer teaching TOPIK while you type
We recently surveyed TOPIK test-takers about their biggest worry when taking the IBT exam. The results surprised us a bit: typing speed came out on top. Not grammar, not vocabulary, not even the essay topics themselves but just the basic challenge of getting thoughts onto the screen fast enough.
When you think about it, it makes total sense. Most Korean learners type Korean at less than half their native language typing speed. We've watched people struggle through practice sessions, hunting and pecking their way through what should be straightforward sentences.
The Typing Problem is Real
As we covered in our post about TOPIK IBT exam changes and similarities, the writing section has some unexpected challenges. Sure, you get more time per question compared to PBT, but that doesn't help much if you're spending half your time just trying to find the right keys.
We've seen it happen: someone has a great idea for their Q52 graph analysis or knows exactly what they want to argue in Q53, but they can't get it down fast enough. All that preparation becomes useless when you're still typing your introduction while everyone else is wrapping up their conclusion.
Our Solution: TOPIK-Focused Typing Practice
So we built a Korean typing trainer, but we didn't want it to be just another generic typing tool. Every sentence you practice is built around actual TOPIK content: the kind of sentence structures and vocabulary you need to write on test day.
Instead of typing random Korean phrases, you're drilling sentences like "아이들의 정서 발달에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있다", so you're getting vocabulary practice while you build up your typing speed.
It's genuinely two birds with one stone. Your fingers get familiar with the keyboard layout while your brain absorbs the precise academic phrasing that shows up in high-scoring TOPIK essays.
Making It Actually Fun
Honestly, we got a bit carried away with the gamification. We added speed tracking, combo streaks, and personal bests because we wanted people to actually enjoy using it. There's something satisfying about watching your words-per-minute climb or maintaining a long accuracy streak.
But the real reason for all the bells and whistles is simple: typing speed only improves with consistent practice. A few minutes every day beats cramming for hours the week before your exam. If we can make it addictive enough that people actually come back regularly, that's half the battle won.
The Confidence Boost
There's something really powerful about walking into your TOPIK IBT knowing that typing won't be the thing that trips you up. When your fingers can keep up with your thoughts, you can focus on what actually matters: crafting good arguments and using precise grammar.
We've noticed this with our beta testers. Once they stop worrying about whether they can finish typing in time, their actual writing quality improves. They spend less mental energy on mechanics and more on content.
Give It a Try
The typing trainer is live now in Easy6. Whether you're preparing for your first IBT or trying to improve your score, building Korean typing fluency is probably one of the most practical things you can do.
After all, the best essay in the world doesn't help much if you can't get it typed before time runs out.
