Harvard Votes to Combat Grade Inflation With Strict New ‘A’ Grade Limits

In a strong measure to curb the rising 'A' grade, Harvard University has set an upper limit on the percentage of 'A' grades for undergraduate students. The policy was approved by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on May 20, 2026 and will be implemented in the fall of 2027.

What Is The New Limit Set By Harvard University?

A decision from the academic senate will take effect during the fall semester of 2027, and professors of letter-graded courses will be able to give ‘A’ grades to no more than 20% of the students in each class, plus four additional students in each class. For example, in a 100-student class, a maximum of 24 ‘A’s can be given.

It is only applicable to undergraduate courses. This policy will be reviewed every three years.

What is the Reason Behind the New Limit?

Over 60% of all grades at Harvard are now ‘A’s' with the consequence of making the difference between an ‘A' and a ‘B' less meaningful. By a vote of 458 to 201, a measure that was approved by the faculty to make the grades more meaningful and restore rigor.

Inflated grades have also been on the White House's radar as part of its sweeping effort to reshape the higher education system.

The faculty was cautiously in favor of the proposal, recognizing that some action needed to be taken to address inflation but was concerned about rankings. This might be among the first decisive actions taken by a top-tier American university to address the issue of grade inflation.