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Curving adjusts raw scores upward (most commonly) using some method — like adding fixed points, scaling to a new maximum, or shifting scores so the top score becomes 100% — usually because a test turned out harder than intended.

A flat curve adds the same number of points to everyone's score, which helps everyone equally in absolute terms; a scaled curve multiplies scores by a factor, which gives a bigger absolute boost to students who already scored higher.

With most common curve methods, no — curves are typically designed as one-directional adjustments upward. But some statistical curving methods (like curving to a bell curve/fixed distribution) can lower some scores relative to others even while raising the class average.

If the top scorer got, say, 92% instead of 100%, curving so that top score becomes 100% (and adding the same point difference to everyone) assumes the test was uniformly harder than intended across all questions.

With additive or multiplicative curves, no — everyone moves up by the same amount or proportion, so the order of students by score stays the same. Only more complex statistical curving methods can change relative standing.