Texas Law: Changes to Medical School Admissions and Grading

Texas House Bill 291 brings important changes to how medical schools in our state operate. The law sets rules for grading, admissions, and how schools make decisions about who gets hired. These changes take effect starting in fall 2026, giving schools time to prepare. One major change is about grading. At least 50 percent of medical coursework must be graded using a letter system from A to F or a similar tier system with at least four levels. This means students will see clear letter grades on a significant portion of their work, making it easier to understand how they are performing. The law also focuses on admissions. Medical schools must consider students' scores on standardized tests that measure knowledge and critical thinking in science and medicine. However, test scores alone cannot be the only thing schools look at when deciding who to admit. Schools must also consider other factors about each applicant. Another important requirement is that medical schools must tell the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board if they want to change their admission standards or grading standards. Schools must share the new standards, explain why they are making changes, and say when those changes will start. This transparency helps ensure our state has a say in how medical schools operate. These rules apply to all medical schools in Texas that award degrees or certificates. The changes give our state stronger oversight of medical education and help ensure students have clear, consistent grading standards.