Harvard moves to limit A grades in undergraduate courses to strengthen academic standards

Key points

• Harvard University faculty have voted to impose a strict cap on A grades beginning in fall 2027, marking one of the institution’s most aggressive efforts in decades to combat grade inflation and redefine academic standards.
• Under the new policy, A grades in undergraduate courses will generally be limited to about 20% of enrolled students, with instructors allowed limited flexibility to award up to four additional A grades in a class.
• The move comes after years of debate over whether grades at elite universities have become too inflated to meaningfully distinguish exceptional academic work.
• What did Harvard approve?
• Faculty members approved the proposal by a vote of 458-201. The new grading framework will Cap A-range grades at roughly 20% of a class Allow instructors flexibility for up to four extra A grades Take effect beginning in fall 2027 Faculty also approved a second proposal changing how internal honors and awards are...