Harvard Moves to Limit Top Grades and Combat Grade Inflation

Harvard University will limit the number of A grades that instructors can award to undergraduate students, in a move aimed at addressing rising grade inflation at one of America's most prestigious universities.

More than two-thirds of participating faculty members voted in favor of the new rule last week. Instructors will be able to award an A grade to no more than one-fifth students enrolled in a given course, plus up to four additional students. The change will take effect in the autumn of 2027.

According to an October report by Amanda Claybaugh, dean of undergraduate education, A grades accounted for 24% of all grades awarded in 2005, 40% in 2015 and as many as 60% in 2025.

Claybaugh said the new rule is intended to help the grading system better distinguish actual academic achievement. The faculty rejected a proposal that would have allowed exceptions to the cap.

(reuters, luc)