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SC: The first oversight board’s philosophy

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by TheGraduate » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:00 pm
Which of the following are correct? (There could be multiple correct options)

The first oversight board's philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, have been as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board's tenure.

The first oversight board's philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board's tenure.

The first oversight board's philosophy and its actions, including rulings on complaints and the release of procedural guidelines, are as influential on the industry now as they had been revolutionary during the board's tenure.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by GMATGuruNY » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:38 am
The intention here is to compare a PRESENT state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions ARE influential now) to a PAST state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions WERE revolutionary during the board's tenure).

Only the second option correctly compares a simple present state-of-being with a simple past state-of-being:
The first oversight board's philosophy and its actions...are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board's tenure.

There is no justification for usage of the present perfect (have been) in the first option or the usage of the past perfect (had been) in the third option.
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by Sun Light » Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:01 pm
GMATGuruNY wrote:The intention here is to compare a PRESENT state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions ARE influential now) to a PAST state-of-being (how the board's philosophy and its actions WERE revolutionary during the board's tenure).
Ok
Only the second option correctly compares a simple present state-of-being with a simple past state-of-being:
The first oversight board's philosophy and its actions...are as influential on the industry now as they were revolutionary during the board's tenure.

There is no justification for usage of the present perfect (have been) in the first option or the usage of the past perfect (had been) in the third option.
Is the word "Now" an indicator of the timing? And therefore we are using present tense?
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by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:46 am
Sun Light wrote:Is the word "Now" an indicator of the timing? And therefore we are using present tense?
Correct.
The modifiers now and during the board's tenure make it crystal clear that a PRESENT state-of-being is being compared to a PAST state-of-being.
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My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

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