What do we mean by a "curve"?

[robert zellmer]

When we say we "curve" the grades a lot of people think it means we add 
points to your
scores or percentages.  That's not what we do.  We adjust cutoffs. So 
maybe in high
school you needed a 60% to pass with a D but now maybe is 58% (just an 
example).
So we're adjusting the grade ranges (cutoffs) slightly based on the 
points (percentages)
everyone received.  You won't see your percent change.

Dr. Zellmer