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I never curve grades. What I do is return tests and allow them to correct them with an open book, explaining why the correct answer is correct. I give them “back” half of the the points they lost per question. I only do this on the first test. I’ve found it shows my students how to study and that if they actually read the book, they CAN do well on a test. The grades on their second tests tends to shoot way up. I consider teaching them how to take tests as part of their education.

I like that approach. While the student thinks that they are getting something of a "freebie" (or a half-freebie), what they are actually doing is learning the subject material. Which satisfies the purpose of the class.

Speaking of learning to study (this was some 15+ years ago), my Econ 101 instructor allowed us to create a 'cheat sheet' for one of our tests, but the rule was that we could only use one sheet of paper. I got several chapters of information on one sheet. She commented that I had rewritten the whole textbook.

I took her for Econ 102 also - she only allowed an index card for that test. :-)

Anyway, it turns out that I barely needed to look at the cheat sheet. By creating it, I solidly planted the logic and information into my own mind. In the process of making the sheet, I was learning the material.