A method and apparatus for adjusting the slope of insertion loss of digital step attenuator (DSA). The DSA is implemented on an integrated circuit. The DSA has two series inductances that are introduced between the input of DSA cell and a resistor in the cell, and the output of DSA cell and another resistor in the cell. In one embodiment, adjustment in the value of the series inductances is as achieved by altering the locations of the input port and the output ports. In another embodiment, adjustment in the value of the inductances is achieved by tailoring the length and width of the conductor trace used to connect the input and output ports to the series resistors. The adjustment in the values of the inductances provides a means by which the roll-off of the insertion loss as a function of frequency in the attenuation state can be controlled.