Harvard faculty proposes cap on A grades, new internal ranking system; students say ‘there’s no benefit’
Harvard faculty have proposed capping A grades at 20 percent per course and introducing an internal “average percentile rank” (APR) system to determine honors, replacing GPA. The changes aim to curb grade inflation and restore academic distinction but have drawn strong student criticism. Many undergraduates told The Harvard Crimson that the policy offers “no benefit,” warning it could intensify competition, misrepresent mastery, and increase stress, while some students see potential long-term advantages for academic rigor.
Harvard faculty have proposed capping A grades at 20 percent per course and introducing an internal “average percentile rank” (APR) system to determine honors, replacing GPA. The changes aim to curb grade inflation and restore academic distinction but have drawn strong student criticism. Many undergraduates told The Harvard Crimson that the policy offers “no benefit,” warning it could intensify competition, misrepresent mastery, and increase stress, while some students see potential long-term advantages for academic rigor.
