Collective nouns, in language, refer to a collection of things taken as a whole. Since they are taken as a whole, or one unit, they are almost always singular.

Even though the Mt. Everest team began the expedition with more provisions than they had in any previous year, its food lasted through only the first twelve days of the climb.

A. they had in any previous year

B. their previous years had had

C. they had for any previous year

D. in their previous years

E. it had in any previous year

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“Team” is singular on the GMAT, a collective noun, so we can eliminate (A), (B), (C), and (D) right away. This should be an easy-question for anyone who has a good grasp on Pronouns. They even give you the clue “it” in the non-underlined portion at the end. Don’t ever take the non-underlined for granted!