60 lessons: structure, how to study, an 8-week plan
한국어 표준교재 (EPS-TOPIK Standard Textbook), published by HRD Korea, is the OFFICIAL basis of the exam: the question bank is built from its vocabulary and situations. Two volumes, 60 lessons in total, each lesson one situation (introductions, ordering food, instructions at work, illness, pay, safety). The PDF and audio are free on the HRD Korea site (eps.go.kr / epstopik.hrdkorea.or.kr); annotated Uzbek editions exist too. Paid "special" books are unnecessary — they are this textbook re-typeset.
Lessons 1–30 (volume 1): daily life — greetings, numbers, time, shopping, transport, food, housing, health, phone, bank, post office; core grammar (-이에요/예요, -아/어요, past tense, -(으)세요, -고 싶다, -(으)ㄹ 거예요). Lessons 31–60 (volume 2): working life — job search, the contract, instructions at work, tools and materials, safety rules, accidents, pay and insurance, basics of labour law, Korean culture and etiquette. Each lesson: vocabulary → dialogue (audio) → grammar → exercises → culture note.
For beginners who do not know Hangul: week 1 — Hangul, reading and writing, lessons 1–5. Weeks 2–3 — lessons 6–20, one lesson a day plus audio, each lesson's vocabulary into flashcards. Week 4 — lessons 21–30 plus a first pass through the volume 1 question bank. Weeks 5–6 — lessons 31–50 (work vocabulary — the most important part, do not rush). Week 7 — lessons 51–60 plus the volume 2 question bank. Week 8 — question bank and mock tests only, two full tests a day (40 questions, 50 minutes) against the clock. Those who know Hangul skip week 1 and finish in six weeks.
The question bank (공개문제) is the only other source you truly need; go through it at least three times and keep a separate list of the items you got wrong. Safety signs (안전표지) — memorise separately with pictures, about 30–40 of them. Numbers: telling the native Korean (하나, 둘 — hours, age, items) and Sino-Korean (일, 이 — dates, money, minutes) systems apart is the most common Listening mistake. MOON's TOPIK I materials are a good supplement for vocabulary and listening, but they do not replace the EPS textbook: the work and safety vocabulary is only there.