Harvard Grapples with Grade Inflation Amid Calls for Reform

Faculty consider capping A-grades and changing honors calculation as students and professors weigh in on the issue.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:06pm

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Harvard Magazine's recent cover story on grade inflation at the university has sparked a debate among students, faculty, and alumni. The article describes a pervasive campus culture that prioritizes high grades over learning, with 60% of grades being A's. In response, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences has proposed capping A-grades at 20% per class and using average percentile rank rather than GPA to calculate honors. Readers have shared a range of perspectives on the issue, with some arguing that high grades reflect the caliber of Harvard students while others say grade inflation devalues academic achievement.

Why it matters

The grade inflation issue at Harvard highlights broader concerns about the purpose and meaning of grades in higher education. Critics argue that an overabundance of A's undermines the ability to differentiate top performers, while proponents say strict grading policies can discourage risk-taking and academic exploration. As one of the most prestigious universities, Harvard's approach to grading could influence practices at other institutions grappling with similar challenges.

The details

The Harvard Magazine article describes how the average grade at the university has risen from a B-plus to 60% A's over the past few decades. In response, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences has proposed two key reforms: imposing a 20% cap on A's in each class, with four additional A's allowed for flexibility, and calculating university honors based on average percentile rank rather than GPA. These proposals are set to be voted on by the faculty this spring.

  • The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is expected to vote on the grade inflation proposals this spring.
  • The Harvard Magazine article was published in March 2026.

The players

Lindsay Mitchell

A former Harvard resident tutor and Expos instructor who offered a firsthand account of the campus culture around grades in the Harvard Magazine article.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

The governing body at Harvard that has proposed reforms to address grade inflation, including capping A-grades and changing the honors calculation.

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What they’re saying

“Given how competitive it is to get into Harvard, it makes sense that that was the case. In a world in which GPA and grades really matter for students' futures, it seems unfair to make the largely subjective process of grading essays even more meaningless by deciding that there can be a maximum of 20 percent of essays worthy of the top mark.”

— Molly G. (Harvard Magazine)

“Students worked hard to gain admittance to Harvard. Their focus once there should be on learning, thinking, expanding perspectives. Grade frameworks both support and stand in the way of this; it is unavoidable and ubiquitous. Pass/Fail systems leave students space to think, grow, take risks in their work, and ultimately gain more from a collaborative, rather than definitively competitive experience.”

— Christy C. (Harvard Magazine)

What’s next

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is expected to vote on the grade inflation proposals this spring, which could lead to significant changes in how grades are awarded and honors are calculated at Harvard.

The takeaway

Harvard's grade inflation issue reflects broader debates about the purpose and value of grades in higher education. While some argue high grades indicate the caliber of Harvard students, others say the overabundance of A's undermines academic rigor and the ability to differentiate top performers. The university's approach to addressing this challenge could influence grading practices at peer institutions.