How To Pass A Prop Firm Challenge
Most traders don’t fail because they can’t trade.
They fail because they break the rules.
It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure—especially when you feel like you have to prove yourself fast. But the evaluation phase isn’t about perfection or quick profits. It’s about showing that you can stay consistent under structure. That’s what real trading is.
At BluSky, we’re not looking for lucky trades. We’re looking for traders who treat this seriously and know how to manage risk. If that’s you, you’re already halfway there.
Let’s walk through what actually works.
1. Know the Rules—Then Trade Inside Them
Before you place a single trade, you should know your evaluation parameters cold.
That means:
Your profit target
Your trailing drawdown
Your consistency rule
And your daily loss limit (during the evaluation only)
These aren’t just checkboxes—they shape how you should approach each day. At BluSky, we’ve made the rules simple on purpose. We don’t penalize traders for hitting a big day. If you go over the consistency cap, we just adjust your profit target by the extra. That way, you’re not punished for doing well.
Understanding this changes how you trade. You stop forcing setups. You stop trying to impress. And you start trading like a funded trader before you’re funded.
Know the limits. Work inside them. That’s how you move forward.
2. Trade Small, Win Big
The number one mistake new eval traders make? Oversizing.
They come in hot, trying to hit the profit target in a few trades. When one move goes against them, they blow the account or fall into the reset loop. That’s not trading—that’s gambling.
Start with the smallest contract size your plan allows. You’re not here to impress anyone. You’re here to show you can stay in control and manage risk. The goal isn’t to pass in one day—it’s to pass without breaking down.
At BluSky, we want traders who understand that protecting capital is the first win. Once you're funded, there's plenty of room to scale. But in the evaluation, small and steady is what gets you through.
3. Build a Plan and Stick to It
Without a plan, you’ll always end up reacting. And in futures, reacting usually means overtrading, chasing losses, and second-guessing every decision.
Your plan should be simple:
One or two setups you trust
Clear entry and exit rules
A defined daily risk limit
This keeps your decisions clean. You’re not guessing. You’re executing.
Take time before the session to map out your levels. Know your bias. Know when you’ll stop for the day—win or lose. Write it down. Treat the evaluation like it’s a real account, because soon it will be.
The traders who pass consistently aren’t the ones with the flashiest trades. They’re the ones who follow their plan, every single day.
4. Focus on Risk, Not Reward
Chasing the profit target will burn you out. Managing risk is what keeps you in the game.
Before the market opens, decide exactly how much you’re willing to lose that day. Then stick to it. If your max loss is hit, shut it down—no second chances, no “just one more.” This single habit separates pros from gamblers.
Your size should match your risk. If you’re pushing close to your daily limit on one trade, your sizing is too big. Shrink it. Give yourself room to take a few good setups without blowing the account.
At BluSky, once you're funded, we remove the daily loss limit. But during the evaluation, it’s there for a reason—it forces discipline. Learn to control risk now, so when you’re trading real money, it’s second nature.
5. Use the Tools BluSky Gives You
You don’t have to figure this out alone. One of the things that sets BluSky apart is the support we offer during the evaluation phase.
Need help? You get free 1-on-1 coaching with experienced traders. These aren’t generic pep talks—they’re real conversations about your trading, your habits, and what you can improve.
Want accountability? Join our Discord community. You’ll find other traders pushing through the same process, sharing ideas, and staying sharp together.
And if you slip up? You’re not out. We offer resets for a small fee, or even free when your subscription renews. Evaluations are hard for a reason—but we give you every tool possible to succeed.
The right resources can shorten the learning curve. Use them.
6. Mindset Over Mechanics
You can have the best strategy in the world, but if you can't control yourself in the moment, it won’t matter.
Most traders who fail know how to trade—they just let emotion take over. They chase. They hesitate. They break their own rules after one red candle. It’s not a strategy problem. It’s a mindset problem.
The solution? Start treating the evaluation like it’s real. Respect your rules, your capital, and your time. Take breaks. Review your trades. Journal how you felt—not just what you saw. This isn’t just about passing. It’s about becoming someone who stays funded.
The goal is progress, not perfection. Red days will happen. But if you stay patient and stay accountable, you will pass. And more importantly, you’ll build habits that carry into your funded account and beyond.
Passing an evaluation isn’t about finding the perfect setup or timing the market just right. It’s about showing you can follow the rules, manage risk, and keep your cool under pressure.
At BluSky, we’re not looking for the biggest trades. We’re looking for the right mindset.
If you’re ready to trade with structure, support, and a real shot at growing into a funded trader, we’re here to back you.
Start your evaluation. Trade smart. Get funded.
