A Harvard University faculty committee has put forward an interesting idea: a cap on A grades. This proposal suggests limiting A’s to 20% of grades in a class. Teachers could give out four extra A’s if needed, but A-‘s and other grades wouldn’t be restricted.
The committee’s report highlights a serious issue: grade inflation. They noted that many employers and graduate schools find Harvard transcripts less helpful because so many students now receive A’s.
Historically, grade inflation at Harvard has been a long-standing issue, but it has become particularly pronounced recently. Last year, A’s comprised two-thirds of all grades, a significant jump from just 35% in the 2012-2013 academic year. This change has diminished the value of grade point averages (GPA) as a measure of student performance. The report argues for a shift to “percentile rank” to better compare students for scholarships and honors.
Experts in education believe that relying solely on GPA can mislead both institutions and employers about a student’s abilities. Dr. Sarah Johnson, an education analyst, stated, “A transparent grading system is crucial for genuinely reflecting a student’s performance. We need a system that distinguishes high achievers from the rest.”
If the faculty approves this proposal, it could reshape grading practices at Harvard, starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Interestingly, Harvard was recently ranked sixth in Time magazine’s “World’s Top Universities of 2026,” showing that despite concerns about grades, the university remains at the forefront of higher education.
For those interested in educational trends, reports show that many institutions across the U.S. are facing similar challenges with grade inflation. In 2021, a survey found that 80% of universities reported concerns over grading standards.
These new measures at Harvard may well be a step towards restoring meaning to academic grades.
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