Try to look at it as an absolute number rather than a percentage. Just 9-10 people are passing out of 50. If they wanted to make a whole load of money, they would pass atleast 25-30 people easily, just to fail them at the second stage?
From what I hear, the passing percentage from the entrance to the LOI stage is rather high. Much higher than 50%. Anyone have any figures here? If they were after the money, they would have ensured that a low %age actually ended up with an LOI.
What I believe is that they were not getting enough people earlier (perhaps a tough paper) which is why they must have made the paper easier this time so more may pass.
The shortened cool-off period - 3 months from the older 6 months - is also indicative that they are looking for more people to fill positions.