Have you ever heard that a “C” is an average grade? That may have been true in the past, but not anymore. In fact, by 2020, 90% of grades were either A’s or B’s, according to a report from The College Board. The College Board found that between 1998 and 2016, high school GPA overall rose by .11 of a GPA point. So, why are today’s students earning higher grades? Are they smarter or are schools getting easier?

Welcome to the era of grade inflation. This trend has been on the rise since the late 19th century, but it really took off in the 1960s when above-average grades in college coursework could exempt young men from being drafted for the Vietnam war. In addition to this, many other factors contribute to grade inflation, such as the desire to support students, pressure to cede to parents’ complaints, or district policies that pressure teachers to compare favorably against other schools.

How does this translate for college admissions? With so many students earning high grades, it’s harder for admissions teams to distinguish between applicants. In addition to course selection and academic rigor, colleges are looking for applicants who have taken and performed well in challenging courses like honors, accelerated, and AP classes. This demonstrates an applicant’s ability to handle academic rigor at their schools.

This can also mean that if you attend a school with significant grade inflation or where the differences between GPAs are minuscule, it may make sense to submit standardized (SAT or ACT) test scores. While many schools have gone test-optional since the pandemic, but admissions officers still view these scores as reliable for comparing applicants from different contexts. Test scores can also provide additional data points to demonstrate college-level work readiness.

While grade inflation isn’t good or bad, it just is, so it’s crucial to take stock of how it might impact how a college views you. You are much more than your GPA, and ensuring you have strong academic rigor and other ways to demonstrate your academic talents and potential is key!