Key Takeaways
- A grade cap limits 24 percent of students per class as Harvard College addresses Harvard grade inflation.
- More than 60 percent of grades were A grades
- The Faculty vote passed with 458 in favor and 201 against
- Policy implementation scheduled for the fall 2027 academic term
Harvard College has approved a policy to limit the number of A grades awarded to students, introducing a structured cap aimed at addressing Harvard grade inflation. The decision establishes a defined threshold for top grades across undergraduate courses.
New Grading Policy Defines “A” Grade Limits
The approved policy sets a cap using a “20 plus 4” model. In a class of 100 students, a maximum of 24 students can receive A grades. This includes both A and A minus grades within the total allocation.
The policy will take effect in the fall 2027 academic term. It is designed to standardize grading distribution across courses and reduce the concentration of top grades awarded in recent years.
Faculty members approved the measure through a vote of 458 to 201. The decision represents the first of three proposed changes to grading practices within the institution aimed at addressing Harvard grade inflation.
Data Shows Significant Increase In A Grades
An internal report issued in October 2025 identified a substantial rise in A grades over time. The report found that more than 60 percent of all grades awarded to undergraduate students were A grades. This compares to approximately 25 percent two decades earlier.
The report concluded that the grading system was no longer fulfilling its intended academic function. It stated that the current distribution reduced the ability to distinguish levels of academic performance.
In addition to the grade cap introduced to address Harvard grade inflation, faculty also approved a shift in how academic honors are determined. The institution will move from grade point average-based evaluation to average percentile rankings for internal awards.
A third proposal that would have allowed certain courses to opt out of the cap under alternative grading systems was not approved.
Academic Impact And Student Response
The policy is expected to change how academic performance is measured and interpreted within the institution. By limiting the number of top grades, the system aims to create clearer differentiation in student achievement.
Some faculty members also raised concerns about potential effects on classroom dynamics, including increased competition and reduced willingness among students to take academically challenging courses.
The subcommittee responsible for drafting the proposal stated that the cap would improve the clarity and value of academic records. The revised grading structure is intended to ensure that an A grade represents a defined level of academic distinction within the student population.
The implementation of the cap introduces a measurable limit on top grade distribution, marking a shift in grading policy aimed at aligning academic evaluation with performance differentiation.
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