Harvard To Limit Number Of Students Who Can Receive A Grade

Harvard faculty is voting to limit the number of undergraduate students who can receive an A in letter-graded courses.

The vote stems from a grading reform proposal aimed at addressing grade inflation.

Instructors may only award an A to 20-percent of the final undergraduate course enrollment plus four students.

Supporters of the changes said the new system is intended to make top grades "more meaningful" while reducing pressure on students to avoid academic risks.

The policy applies only to students at Harvard College, which is part of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and will go into effect starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

 (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)