Harvard Proposes 20% Cap on 'A' Grades

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Harvard University is considering a proposal to cap the number of 'A' grades given to undergraduate students at around 20% of the total grades in each course. The move is meant to restore the 'A' grade as a mark of 'extraordinary distinction' and address concerns over grade inflation, where nearly two-thirds of all grades at the university are currently 'A's.

Why it matters

The proposed change at Harvard is part of a broader debate around grade inflation and how to make grades more meaningful for students, employers, and graduate school admissions. Critics argue that widespread 'A' grades diminish their value and make it harder to differentiate top performers.

The details

Under the new plan, instructors would give 'A' grades to 20% of students in each course, plus four additional 'A' grades per class. This would mean in a 100-student course, no more than 24 'A' grades could be awarded, though 'A-' grades and below would not be restricted. The proposal also calls for using students' percentile rank within a class, rather than GPA, to determine eligibility for honors and internal awards.

• The proposal could face a faculty vote at Harvard this spring.
• If approved, the changes would take effect in the 2026-27 academic year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

If approved, the new 'A' grade cap would be implemented at Harvard starting in the 2026-27 academic year.