Intent LogoIntent
Back to article list
English (India)

What's Your English Level, Really? Stop Getting Confused by IELTS and CEFR – A Game Reveals the Truth!

Share article
Estimated reading time 5–8 mins

What's Your English Level, Really? Stop Getting Confused by IELTS and CEFR – A Game Reveals the Truth!

Do you often feel this way? You've studied English for over a decade, memorized countless vocabulary books, but when you truly ask yourself, "How good is my English, really?", your heart starts to pound.

One moment it's IELTS scores, the next it's CEFR levels – B1, C2 – it all sounds like a headache. It's like some people measure your height in 'metres' while others use 'feet'; the different numbers just leave you completely bewildered.

Today, let's clear all this up once and for all. Forget those complicated tables and official explanations; let me tell you a story – a story about playing games.

Imagine Learning English as a Grand Role-Playing Game

That's right, learning English is just like gaming. And CEFR is your rank, while IELTS is your specific combat power score.

  • CEFR = Game Ranks

    • From lowest to highest, it's divided into three major ranks: A, B, and C, with each rank further split into two sub-levels: 1 and 2.
    • A Ranks (A1, A2): Bronze Players. You've just left the beginner's village. You can complete the simplest quests, like ordering food or asking for directions. You might stumble a bit, but you can survive.
    • B Ranks (B1, B2): Platinum/Diamond Players. This is where most players gather. You've mastered core skills and can team up with others for 'dungeons' (fluent conversations), clearly expressing your strategies (opinions). This is your 'admission ticket' for applying to foreign universities.
    • C Ranks (C1, C2): Master/Challenger Players. You are a top-tier player on the server. You can not only understand the most complex 'strategy manuals' (academic articles) but also pick up on the 'unspoken cues' from opponents (understand implied meanings).

  • IELTS = Power Score

    • The IELTS 0-9 band score is your precise 'combat power' or 'experience points (XP)'. It's not a vague rank but a specific score that tells you how much more XP you need to 'level up' your rank.

Now, let's see how 'Power Score' and 'Ranks' correspond:

How Much 'Power Score' Do You Need to Advance to the Next Rank?

  • Power Score 4.0 - 5.0 (IELTS) → Advance to B1 Rank

    • Game Status: You're no longer a rookie. You can handle most everyday quests and chat casually with familiar NPCs (native English speakers). But if you want to tackle high-difficulty 'dungeons' (studying abroad, working), you still need to 'grind' for more XP.

  • Power Score 5.5 - 6.5 (IELTS) → Advance to B2 Rank

    • Game Status: Congratulations, you've reached 'Diamond' level! This is the minimum requirement for most foreign university 'guilds' (universities) to recruit members. You can communicate easily in most 'battles' (daily life and academic settings), express yourself clearly, and understand your teammates' instructions.

  • Power Score 7.0 - 8.0 (IELTS) → Advance to C1 Rank

    • Game Status: You're a 'Master'! You can effortlessly read lengthy 'martial arts manuals' (long, complex articles) and grasp their 'hidden moves' (deep meanings). With this power score, the doors to top universities will open for you.

  • Power Score 8.5 - 9.0 (IELTS) → Advance to C2 Rank

    • Game Status: You are a 'Challenger', a server legend. English is no longer a foreign language to you; it's your second nature. You have completely mastered the essence of the language.

By now, you should understand. The IELTS 6.5 score is crucial because it's precisely the dividing line between B2 and C1 ranks – the watershed separating 'qualified players' from 'excellent players'.

Don't Just Focus on the Score; Real 'Levelling Up' Happens Elsewhere

Now you understand the relationship between scores and ranks. But a more important question is: Do we play games for the rank badge, or to truly enjoy the game itself?

Similarly, we learn English not just for a cold, impersonal score, but to open a door – a door that allows us to converse with the world, understand diverse cultures, and connect with more intriguing minds.

Exam scores are merely a 'save point' on your 'levelling up' journey; they tell you your current position, but they're not the destination. True 'experience points' come from every real-life communication.

But here's the catch: many people don't have the right language environment and fear being ridiculed for making mistakes. So, what's the solution?

The best way to 'level up' is to jump straight into 'real-world combat', but in a safe, stress-free environment. It's like finding the perfect training ground within a game. If you're looking for such a place, you can try Intent.

It's a chat app with built-in AI translation. You can directly converse with native speakers from around the world. If you encounter a sentence you don't understand, the AI will instantly translate it for you; and when you're unsure how to reply, the AI can even offer suggestions. It's like having your personal 'gold-standard sparring partner', enabling you to effortlessly and confidently accumulate 'combat experience' in the most authentic contexts, rapidly boosting your 'power score'.

So, stop fretting over those complex standards.

Instead, view your English learning as an exciting adventure game. Every time you speak, every conversation you have, is you accumulating valuable experience points for yourself.

Your goal isn't just a score; it's to become a player who can freely explore the entire game world.

So, are you ready to level up to the next level?

Browse more articles