Difference between grade level and grade in Korean
학년·급
학년grade level
학년 means a student's grade level or school year. You use it to say what year someone is in at school, such as first grade or third grade. It is common in everyday talk about school, children, and classmates.
급grade
급 means a grade or level. It is often used with a number, like 1급 or 2급, to show how high or low a class, test, or skill level is. In school and study situations, it helps people talk about course levels, exam levels, or certificates.
The difference
학년 is the year a student is in at school, like 1st year or 2nd year. It does not mean the level of a test, class, or certificate.