A student is allowed to take the MCAT up to three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive years, and seven times in a lifetime. These limits highlight the importance of careful planning and thorough preparation before each attempt. Knowing these restrictions, students should adopt a structured study plan, use diagnostic tests to gauge readiness, and schedule sufficient time for content review, practice exams, and targeted improvement. This approach minimizes the risk of retakes and maximizes the chance of achieving a competitive score on the first attempt.