retaking the gmat no more than 5 times per year

Dear pepo,
I'm happy to respond.

In my understanding, none of GMAC's time-related policies are keyed to calendar year. For example, when they say that scores are good for five years, that's five years from the date of taking the exam, not five calendar years. Much in the same way, I would think calendar year is irrelevant in this policy. In other words, if I were daft enough to take a GMAT on March 1, then May 1, then July 1, then September 1, then November 1, I would have five exams in a 12-month period and would have to wait until March 1 of next year before taking another GMAT.

Now, having said that, all of this should be irrelevant. Plan to succeed. Do everything you need to do, right now, so that the very next time you take the GMAT, you do your very best. Make the complete commitment to excellence and follow it through in every detail. Once you are in the business world, you usually will not get multiple chances to do something right. Instead, the opportunity will arise, and you will have one chance to bring your best to it. Treat the GMAT that way. Yes, if you are sick that day or something else unexpected arises, that would be a valid reason for a retake, but other than that, do not sit for the GMAT with any plan to retake. Don't give yourself an escape hatch. Don't plan to fail at any level. Plan 100% for success and commit yourself 100% to success as if your life depended on it.

That's my two cents.

Mike