At Harvard, over 60% of grades given last year were A's. Now the university is weighing a grade inflation crackdown

"With over 60% of Harvard students getting A's in the mid-2025 academic year, faculty are currently weighing a proposal that would cap that to no more than 20% of the class, plus four students. ( A more detailed breakdown: 66% of undergraduates earned A's, and 84% earned an A or A-minus in the 2024-25 academic year.)"

""The Student Handbook recognizes an A grade as one reserved for work of 'extraordinary distinction.' We recommend returning to this definition," the February 2026 proposal reads. "While any changes to grading policies may raise concerns about fostering a competitive culture, we believe that these recommendations take critical steps toward the College's goal to re-center academics, restoring confidence in the College's grading system, and better aligning incentives with pedagogical goals.""

""It's kind of nutty," Steven Levitsky, a Latin American studies professor at Harvard, told Inside Higher Ed. "We've completely erased the distinction between an A and A-minus," he said, adding that the proposal is the "least bad solution.""

"Faculty are voting on the measure this week, with results due next Wednesday, May 20. It's unclear whether it will pass, as students-already dealing with a weak job market and skyrocketing tuition costs (now surpassing $80,000)-are said to be furious, with some 85% opposing the cap, per the Harvard Crimson."

Over 60% of Harvard undergraduates earned A grades in the 2024–25 academic year, with 66% receiving A and 84% receiving A or A-minus. A February 2026 proposal recommends returning the A grade to its “extraordinary distinction” definition and limiting A grades to no more than 20% of the class plus four students. The proposal aims to re-center academics, restore confidence in grading, and align incentives with pedagogical goals. Faculty are voting with results due May 20, and student opposition is reported as high, with about 85% against the cap. The measure follows earlier grade-inflation controls that reduced A rates to 53% in fall 2025.

Read at Fast Company