Harvard Faculty Votes to Cap A-Grades at 20% + 4, Aiming to Combat Grade Inflation

Harvard University faculty have voted to limit the number of A-grades awarded in undergraduate courses, with a cap of 20% of students plus four, starting in 2027. The move aims to combat grade inflation, which has seen roughly 60% of undergraduate grades as A in the academic year ending mid-2025. Nearly 70% of faculty voted in favor, describing it as a "large mandate for change." Students are overwhelmingly opposed, citing increased stress and potential discouragement from challenging majors. The policy also includes using average percentile rank for university awards and rejects a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system. Harvard’s move may influence other institutions, despite past failures by Yale, Princeton, and Wellesley to sustain similar reforms.