Faculty at Harvard University voted 458‑201 to cap A‑grades at 20 percent of all letter grades in undergraduate courses, with room for four additional A’s. The rule, approved by the Arts and Sciences school, applies only to undergraduates and takes effect in the 2027 academic year. It aims to restore the distinction of the top mark after two decades of rising averages.

In 2024‑25, roughly two‑thirds of Harvard’s undergraduate grades were A’s, up from 35 percent in 2012‑13, fueling concerns that employers and graduate programs can no longer rely on grades as a performance signal. Dean Amanda Claybaugh called the vote “consequential,” hoping other elite colleges will follow. Critics on campus, including a sophomore student government officer, fear the limit will heighten competition, stress and curb academic experimentation.

Psychology professor Steven Pinker praised the measure as a “good start,” while Yale economist Ray Fair suggested Harvard’s move could ripple through the sector. The policy will be reviewed after three years, but any reversal would require a fresh faculty vote. The cap now shapes grading practices and may influence how elite institutions report student achievement.