Harvard caps A grades to 20% of class

What's happened

Harvard College has voted to cap A grades at 20% of a class, with up to four extra As in smaller courses, starting Fall 2027; A-minuses are not limited. The policy aims to restore meaning to Harvard transcripts and reduce grade inflation, while a separate plan to use percentile ranks for honors replaces GPA in some comparisons.

What's behind the headline?

What this means for Harvard and beyond

The cap is limited to A grades, not A-minus grades, to avoid a drastic GPA impact.
An A will be a clearer signal of exceptional achievement; A-minus remains available without a cap.
The change is framed as a pro-student reform aimed at restoring transcript meaning and encouraging academic risk-taking.
Critics and student voices have questioned the lack of direct student input in the decision; a February survey showed broad student opposition.
The policy could influence other selective universities facing similar inflation pressures and may shape national discussions on grading standards.

Outlook

Implementation begins in 2027; a three-year faculty review will assess impact on learning, course design, and admissions comparisons.
The reliance on percentile ranks for honors signals a shift away from GPA-centric comparisons.
If successful, Harvard may prompt broader reforms in higher education grading practices.

How we got here

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences has approved a policy to limit straight A grades at Harvard College, following data that more than 60% of undergraduates have received A-range grades in recent years. The policy is modeled in part on Princeton’s earlier effort and is set to take effect in the 2027-28 academic year, with a three-year review planned.

Our analysis

Associated Press (via NY Post) and The Independent report on Harvard’s vote; coverage notes the 60% A-range grades and Harvard’s plan to implement at 20% cap plus four extra As in small classes, fall 2027, and the move to percentile rank for honors. The Independent also references Princeton’s earlier cap and related AI-driven grade inflation concerns.

Go deeper

Will this change affect your application or future job prospects?
How might other Ivies respond if Harvard leads with a 20% A cap?
What will the three-year review examine most closely?