What characterizes a normal curve in statistics?

A normal curve in statistics is characterized by the fact that the mean, median, and mode coincide at the same point. This property is crucial because it reflects the symmetry and bell-shaped nature of the distribution. In a perfect normal distribution, the data is equally distributed around the central point, leading to these three measures of central tendency being identical. This symmetry indicates that the scores are evenly distributed on either side of the mean, with the highest concentration of values clustering around it, resulting in a peak in the center of the curve.

The other characteristics mentioned in the options do not appropriately describe the features of a normal curve. For instance, a normal distribution is not asymmetrical; it is symmetric about the mean. High scores do not dominate in a normal distribution; instead, it encompasses a full range of values, with the bulk clustering near the mean. Lastly, a flat peak does not pertain to a normal distribution, which typically has a distinct bell-shaped peak rather than a flat one, indicating a high density of values around the mean. Thus, the correct answer highlights a fundamental aspect of normal distributions in statistics.