Dropout rate

[catchamogh]

1. In the last ten years, the dropout rate among Black high school students fell substantially over the past decade, while the number of Blacks who attend college is more than twice what it was.
(A) fell substantially over the past decade, while the number of Blacks who attend college is more than twice what it was
(B) fell substantially, while the number of Blacks attending college is more than double what it was at that time
(C) has fallen substantially, while the number of Blacks attending college has more than doubled
(D) has fallen substantially over the past decade, while the number of Blacks attending college is more than twice what it was at that time
(E) has fallen substantially over the past decade, while the number of Blacks who are attending college are more than double what they were

explain thy ans.

[Orange08]

I go with C.
"over the decade" is redundant to "In the last ten years".
"has fallen substantially" is the correct form since a present perfect tense needs to be used.
"twice" is adverb and thus "more than doubled" is the correct phrase.

[_gmat_stress_]

C, D and E are impossible i think. because students are plural, so it has to be HAVE in stead of HAS.

But i'd go for B, because they are talking about something in the past which is still going on, so it has to be attending

[DJValentino]

I put all my monies on C.

[iamproxied]

C.
D and E ruled out because of redundant expressions.
A and B, they are compraring number of blacks attending college with some number what it was(When? I dont see any reference).

[Kuba]

Clear C I think...

And _gmat_stress, the subject is not "students", but "rate", therefore we need a singular form of the verb - "has fallen".

[Aqueel]

(A) "past decade" - redundant.
(B) "what it was at that time" - redundant
(C) my choice
(D) "past decade" - redundant.
(E) "past decade" - redundant.

Official Answer please.

[hjafferi]

Imo C

[sandeep_142]

HAs to be C

A,D,E "over the past decade" redundant

B - awkward and wordy

[Jaydeep]

Me2 for C