Our CEFR Difficulty Scale (1–10)

CEFR levels such as A1, A2, B1, and B2 are extremely useful — but they are also broad.

At LinguaVerseSchool, we use CEFR as the foundation for all content, but we add an additional 1–10 difficulty scale within each CEFR level to better reflect how learners actually progress.

This allows us to describe where a learner is within a CEFR level, not just which level they are in.

Why a 1–10 Scale Is Needed

A single CEFR level can cover a wide range of ability.

For example:

  • An early A1 learner may only understand very simple sentences
  • A confident A1 learner may read short texts comfortably with minimal support

Both are “A1” — but the learning experience is very different.

Without finer granularity:

  • Content can feel unexpectedly difficult
  • Learners may struggle to choose the right next step
  • Progress can feel uneven or discouraging

The 1–10 scale exists to smooth those steps.

How the Scale Works

  • 1 = very early in the CEFR level
  • 10 = very strong performance at that level, approaching the next CEFR band

For example:

  • A1 (1–3): first exposure, very controlled language
  • A1 (4–6): growing familiarity, short connected texts
  • A1 (7–10): confident comprehension, preparing for A2

The scale does not replace CEFR — it refines it.

What Determines Difficulty at LinguaVerseSchool

Difficulty is not based on a single factor. LinguaVerseSchool considers a combination of:

  • Vocabulary frequency and variety
  • Sentence length and complexity
  • Grammar structures used
  • Verb tense range
  • Use of modifiers and connectors
  • Text length and cohesion

A story with familiar vocabulary but long, complex sentences may score higher than a shorter text with simpler structure.

This reflects how real reading difficulty works.

Reading-Focused, Not Exam-Focused

The LinguaVerseSchool difficulty scale is designed specifically for reading comprehension.

It does not attempt to measure:

  • Speaking fluency
  • Writing accuracy
  • Pronunciation
  • Exam readiness

A learner may read comfortably at a higher level than they can speak — and that is normal.

The scale helps learners choose texts they can understand and enjoy, not texts that test them.

How to Use the Difficulty Scale as a Learner

By combining:

  • CEFR level (A1–C1)
  • Internal difficulty (1–10)

LinguaVerseSchool helps learners:

  • Avoid sudden jumps in complexity
  • Build confidence gradually
  • Read more consistently
  • Stay motivated over time

This approach mirrors how people actually learn languages — step by step, not in large leaps.

Where to Go Next

To get the most out of the difficulty scale, you may want to:

  • Explore stories at your current CEFR level
  • Read multiple stories at the same difficulty before moving up
  • Revisit slightly easier texts to build fluency

You may also find these guides useful:

👉 Or explore CEFR-aligned stories on LinguaVerseSchool and start reading today.