Harvard College has postponed its widely discussed grading reform until fall 2027 and introduced a new “SAT+” grade, marking a major revision in its plan to combat grade inflation. The announcement was made by Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh, according to a report Harvard Crimson.The revised proposal, which will be voted on by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, comes after months of intense debate among students, faculty and administrators. An earlier version, introduced in February, sparked strong opposition, particularly over the strictures on A grades.
Timeline, Grading Cap, and SAT+ Increase
Three major changes have been made to the updated plan. First, implementation has been delayed by a year — from the originally proposed 2026-27 academic session to 2027. A committee appointed by Harvard College Dean David J. Deming will oversee the rollout.Second, the proposal modifies how the A-grade cap is calculated. Instead of applying only to students earning letter grades, the 20% cap (plus four additional A’s per course) will now include all enrolled undergraduates, even those choosing pass/fail grading.Third, the plan introduces a new “SAT+” grade within the satisfactory/unsatisfactory system. This designation is intended to recognize exceptional performance in pass/fail courses and will be awarded incrementally at the discretion of the instructor.
Student reaction and divided faculty opinion
The original proposal met with strong resistance from students. A Harvard Undergraduate Association poll found that about 85 percent of respondents opposed the policy, citing collective lobbying before a faculty vote.However, faculty reactions are mixed. Some instructors supported the cap, arguing that it could address systemic grade inflation and reduce pressure to give high grades. Others expressed concerns about shorter, advanced courses and its impact on academic autonomy.
SAT+ and wider policy scope limitations
While the SAT+ grade is intended to add value to the pass/fail assessment, its use will be strictly regulated. It will not factor into the internal ranking for honors or awards, and academic departments may not require it for course credit. Faculty policies also prohibit treating the SAT and SAT+ differently beyond transcript notation.The revised proposal further expands the scope of the policy to include all Faculty of Arts and Sciences courses with undergraduate enrollment, not just Harvard College courses.
Concern over educational choice
The reform has sparked wider concerns about its potential impact on student behaviour. Harvard President Alan M. Garber has defended long-term goals to combat grade inflation but warned that strict grading caps could discourage students from enrolling in more challenging courses.(with input from Harvard Crimson)
