After an evaluation, read the next account's rules before placing the first trade. Passing does not prove the same position size, loss calculation or withdrawal plan will fit the reward stage.

This guide does not claim that a particular percentage of traders lose accounts within three months. The earlier statistic lacked a supporting dataset.

Compare the New Account With the Evaluation

Record the actual loss floor, available buffer, maximum position, trading permissions, qualifying days, payout caps and inactivity terms. Confirm whether the account remains simulated. Topstep's Express account documentation illustrates how reward-stage objectives can differ from evaluation targets.

Do not assume the new stage always has tighter rules or that the evaluation rewarded aggressive trading. Both stages need risk control under their own terms.

Size Against the Remaining Buffer

Use the actual distance to the applicable loss floor, allowing for open trades, fees and execution uncertainty. A rule such as “risk 1% of the account” can consume a large fraction of a prop account's permitted loss when the advertised balance is much larger than the buffer.

If a personal trading limit is tighter than the firm's maximum, make its purpose and calculation explicit. A stop order is a control, not a guarantee of the exact loss in a fast market.

Recalculate After a Withdrawal

A withdrawal can reduce the remaining account cushion while a loss floor stays fixed or follows its own rule. Work through the post-withdrawal balance before requesting payment, and check any required minimum balance.

The relevant question is not simply whether profit can be withdrawn, but whether the remaining account supports the intended position size.

Review Behaviour Without Turning It Into a Promise

Keep planned and actual risk, rule exceptions and execution problems in a log. When errors repeat, pause and resolve them before adding exposure. No routine guarantees continued account access or recurring rewards.

Plan breaks around any inactivity and billing conditions. Taking a day off is different from assuming an account can remain unused indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I always cut size immediately after passing?

Recalculate using the new account's rules and your tested risk budget. A fixed contract reduction is not a universal answer.

How large should a profit buffer be?

There is no universal 30–50% target. It depends on loss mechanics, withdrawal effects and the strategy's tested losses.

Can I keep an account indefinitely by obeying the rules?

The agreement, continued eligibility and provider operations also matter. Rule compliance is necessary where required, but not a guarantee of perpetual service.

Risk Disclaimer: Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. See our full risk disclaimer.