grade inflation

American  

noun

Education.

1. the awarding of higher grades than students deserve either to maintain a school's academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.

2. a rise in the average grade given to students.

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grade inflation British  

noun

1. an apparently continual increase in numbers of students attaining high examination grades, or the practice of awarding grades in this way

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Etymology

Origin of grade inflation

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Princeton and Yale are also investigating grade inflation on their campuses.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Faculty voted to approve the A-cap as part of a yearslong effort to curb grade inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

While grade inflation has been an issue on college campuses for years, AI tools have made it even harder to assess the quality of students’ work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

A corollary concern is that grade inflation and other factors appear to be weakening the validity of this measure statewide.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Like other forms of inflation, grade inflation ultimately means exaggeration—and neither in the marketplace, nor in the classroom, is exaggeration a good thing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025