Let's say that most math majors take this course in the first semester of their sophomore year. Then the bell curve grading gives you a much lower grade for ide

Let's say that most math majors take this course in the first semester of their sophomore year. Then the bell curve grading gives you a much lower grade for identical work if you take the class in the first semester vs second semester. You also get a lower grade for going to a better school. You even get a lower grade for helping your classmates. This makes the grades unfair and not useful for judging mastery of the subject. It only makes sense if the goal of a course is to beat the other students. For most courses, the goal should be learning.