Hello,
I do not think it is true that the GRE "gets harder" if you retake it; the test is basically the same in terms of the difficulty level (which is determined in part by how well you answer the questions). The number 5 comes in because they will let you take the Analytical Writing section a maximum of 5 times in a 12-month period.
That said, 2BDentist, I also wouldn't recommend re-taking the exam unless you are certain that something specific went wrong on the previous test day (e.g. you were ill) or a school advises it. Your verbal score was really pretty stable. The quantitative score did jump down a bit. Many schools have a policy of considering your highest score on a given section (e.g. best verbal, best quantitative), while others may look only at your most recent score, or average all scores. Check with the schools to which you are applying. I don't think that the difference between a 540Q and 460Q would be the thing that makes or breaks your application.
Good luck, and happy New Year!
