Sentence Correction

According to a survey of graduating medical students conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges, minority graduates are nearly four times more likely than are other graduates in planning to practice in socioeconomically deprived areas.

(A) minority graduates are nearly four times more likely than are other graduates in planning to practice

(B) minority graduates are nearly four times more likely than other graduates who plan on practicing

(C) minority graduates are nearly four times as likely as other graduates to plan on practicing

(D) it is nearly four times more likely that minority graduates rather than other graduates will plan to practice

(E) it is nearly four times as likely for minority graduates than other graduates to plan to practice

We know:

Four times more likely = X +4X =5X= Five times as likely as.

Four times as likely = X*4 =4X.

So, there is a difference between 5X and 4X.

Would any expert explain in detail the following question?

What is my analysis:

=> The use of "are" in A is optional. A cannot be eliminated on the basis of "are".
---> Why is B wrong?

D and E can be easily eliminated.

Thanks.