Moon Ji-hwan, a 4th-year student in the School of Computer Science at ERICA Campus, secured first place among university students in the 23rd 토토사이트 케이벳 (Test of Practical Competency in ICT) held in 2025, earning him the Minister of Science and ICT Award.

토토사이트 케이벳 is a nationwide certification exam that assesses practical skills required in the software (SW) industry. The test targets both students and professionals in the field and consists of multiple choice, short answer, descriptive, and performance-based questions across a wide range of areas, including software, data, system architecture, information security, and IT business. Performance-based items, in particular, test the ability to draw diagrams and solve complex problems.

Since 2020, Moon has taken the exam eight times, raising his score dramatically from 270 to 875. Following his top score in the 21st regular evaluation, he once again ranked first this year. We spoke w토토사이트 케이벳h him about the secret behind his success, how he prepared for the exam, and his future plans.

Congratulations on winning the Minister of Science and ICT Award in the 23rd 토토사이트 케이벳 evaluation. How do you feel?

I actually received the same award in the 21st TOPCIT evaluation last year, so I was hoping for a good result this time as well. But since the rankings can change with just a few points, I wasn’t certain I’d win again—even though my score jumped from 738 to 875. I’m simply grateful to have received the award once more. As a reward, I’ll be attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas this coming January, and I’m incredibly excited about it.

You scored an impressive 875 this time. What’s changed the most about you since you first took the test?

At first, I wasn’t familiar with the question types and didn’t know much, so my score was low. But after taking the test several times, I was able to identify my weak areas. While serving in the Air Force’s development division, I worked and studied at the same time, and my scores steadily improved. I also participated in various competitions and won awards, which enriched my resume. Over time, I could feel how the achievements I built up through TOPCIT were opening new doors for me—it was like a snowball effect. Each experience naturally led to new challenges and opportunities.

What motivated you to keep going through all eight attempts w토토사이트 케이벳hout giving up?

I actually enjoy taking tests. I’ve taken plenty of certification exams like TOEIC and TOPCIT. With each improvement in my score, I felt a sense of accomplishment, and I naturally set a goal to surpass 850 points and reach Level 5. More than anything, the biggest motivator was the award itself. Getting the chance to travel to the U.S. and attend CES for a week is rare, so I was determined to earn it—and that kept me focused and persistent.

Which areas did you focus on the most to improve your score?

Over time, I got a better sense of where to focus. I especially practiced drawing various types of diagrams since they carry a lot of weight in the grading. I also reviewed SQL syntax, especially DDL (Data Defin토토사이트 케이벳ion Language) and DML (Data Manipulation Language), which are very difficult when presented as fill-in-the-blank questions. For other areas, I reviewed the core concepts lightly and relied on existing knowledge to answer the questions.

Any recommended resources or platforms for studying?

I relied most heavily on the “TOPCIT Essence” section of the official website. It covers all topics on the test, so it helped me understand the overall structure. However, since the material is vast, I recommend getting a feel for the big picture first, then reviewing individual concepts using blog posts that summarize the key points. For diagrams, I looked up examples on blogs and then practiced drawing them on the “Practice TOPCIT” page of the official site.

How do you see the connection between 토토사이트 케이벳 and your major or actual fieldwork?

It’s very closely connected. The key topics—databases, networks, cloud, information security, programming languages, and system architecture—are all directly related to software courses. I’ve seen many students who performed well in class and on projects also do well in TOPCIT. In that sense, TOPCIT isn’t just a knowledge test—it’s a comprehensive evaluation of real-world capabilities grounded in academic knowledge.

How did the courses at Hanyang University help you prepare for 토토사이트 케이벳?

My coursework in the School of Computer Science was very helpful. Subjects like Computer Architecture, Databases, Computer Networks, Data Structures, and System Security were directly applicable to various parts of the exam. Also, during my third and fourth year, I completed a yearlong Capstone Design project, where I built an Android app and gained hands-on experience with cloud server deployment and database design—that experience was extremely beneficial.

What are your future plans now that you’ve achieved this milestone?

I recently applied to KAIST for a master’s program, and this award was a major asset. I plan to study system security in depth and build a foundation for broader career options after graduation. I’m also considering pursuing a Ph.D. and even studying in the U.S. I’ve visited several times for TOPCIT-related events and personal travel, and each trip was inspiring. Those experiences gave me new motivation and helped solidify my goal of working internationally.

Any final words for others who are pushing themselves to grow through continued effort?

Just trying is valuable in itself. You might fail, but the lessons and experience you gain will help you grow. I’ve failed certification exams and been rejected by companies I really wanted to work for. But I kept going, trying again, and finding new paths. If you stay consistent and move forward at your own pace without getting discouraged by temporary results, you’ll eventually find yourself stronger and more accomplished. Don’t give up—keep moving toward your goals!