What Actually Matters When You Take a Prop Firm Test
"Test" is the shorthand many traders use for the prop firm challenge phase—the true gatekeeper between you and a funded account. But not all tests are created equal. The devil is in the details: drawdown rules, profit targets, time limits, and even the instruments you can trade. Here’s a data-driven look at how the major firms structure their trading tests, what that means for your odds, and what to watch out for before you pay a fee.
Prop Firm Challenge Comparison Table
| Firm | Max Drawdown | Daily Drawdown | Profit Target | Profit Split | Account Sizes | Challenge Cost | Min Trading Days | Trading Period | Instruments | Scaling Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $10K–$200K | $155–$1,080 | 4 | 30/60 days | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks | $2M |
| E8 Markets | 8% | 5% | 8% | 80/20 | $5K–$250K | $48–$988 | 5 | Unlimited | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Performance-based |
| FundedNext | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $6K–$200K | $59–$999 | 5 | 30/60 days | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | $4M |
| The5ers | 6% | 3% | 6% | 50/50 → 100% | $6K–$100K | $95–$875 | 3 | Unlimited | FX, Metals, Indices | $4M |
| Apex Trader Funding | 6% | 0% | 6% | 100% first $25K → 90/10 | $25K–$300K | $147–$657 | 7 | Unlimited | Futures (CME, etc.) | 20 accounts |
| TopStep | 4% | 2% | 6% | 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $49–$149/mo | 5 | Unlimited | Futures (CME, etc.) | Live capital |
| MyFundedFX | 8% | 5% | 8% | 80/20 → 92.75% | $5K–$300K | $49–$1,499 | 3 | Unlimited | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | $600K |
| My Funded Futures | 4% | 0% | 6% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $77–$477/mo | 2 | Unlimited | Futures (CME Group) | Up to $100K payout |
| Funded Trading Plus | 6% | 4% | 10% | 80/20 → 100% | $5K–$200K | $119–$999 | 0 | Unlimited | FX, Crypto, Indices, Commodities | $2.5M–$5.25M |
| Goat Funded Trader | 6% | 4% | 10% | 80/20 → 95% | $5K–$200K | $47–$997 | 4 | Unlimited | FX, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Crypto | Performance-based |
| Blue Guardian | 6% | 4% | 10% | 85/15 → 90/10 | $10K–$200K | $87–$897 | 5 | Unlimited | FX, Crypto, Indices, Commodities | $4M |
| Lux Trading Firm | 6% | 0% | 10% | 80/20 | $100K–$1M | $299–$4,999 | 0 | Unlimited | FX, Indices, Commodities, Metals | $10M |
| City Traders Imperium | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80/20 → 100% | $2.5K–$100K | $39–$549 | 0 | Unlimited | FX, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Metals | $4M |
| Tradeify | 4% | 2.5% | 6% | 90/10 | $50K–$150K | $139–$509 | 1 | Unlimited | Futures (CME, etc.) | Live after 5 payouts |
| Take Profit Trader | 4% | 2.2% | 6% | 80/20 → 90/10 | $25K–$150K | $150–$357 | 5 | Unlimited | Futures (CME, etc.) | PRO+ live capital |
Breaking Down the Key Test Parameters
Drawdown Rules: The Hidden Challenge
Drawdown isn’t just a number—it’s the main reason traders fail prop firm tests. A 10% max drawdown (as at FTMO or FundedNext) means you can lose $10,000 on a $100K account before being disqualified. But some firms set the bar lower: The5ers and Blue Guardian cap you at 6%, while TopStep and Tradeify go as low as 4%. Daily drawdown rules (5% at FTMO, 2% at TopStep) can be even more punishing, especially if your strategy has volatile days.
Futures-focused firms like Apex Trader Funding and My Funded Futures offer 0% daily drawdown, but enforce strict trailing drawdown that can be psychologically taxing—your "cushion" shrinks with each withdrawal or loss.
Profit Targets: Realistic or Out of Reach?
Profit targets are where many new traders underestimate the test. 10% in 30 days (FTMO, FundedNext, City Traders Imperium) is aggressive—especially if you’re trading conservatively to avoid drawdown breaches. E8 Markets and MyFundedFX offer a lower 8% target, while Tradeify and TopStep require just 6%—a notable difference in challenge difficulty.
But lower targets often come with trade-offs like lower drawdown or fewer instruments. If your style is slow and steady, prioritize tests with lower profit targets and unlimited time (E8 Markets, The5ers, MyFundedFX).
Trading Periods: Time Pressure vs. Flexibility
Some firms impose strict time limits (e.g., FTMO: 30 days for Phase 1, 60 for Phase 2), while others offer unlimited time (E8 Markets, The5ers, MyFundedFX, Funded Trading Plus). Unlimited time is a huge edge if you need to wait out market conditions or want to avoid overtrading.
Minimum trading days also matter: Tradeify lets you pass in 1 day, My Funded Futures in 2, The5ers in 3. FTMO and E8 require at least 4–5 trading days. For traders who can hit their target quickly, lower minimums mean faster access to a funded account.
Profit Split and Scaling: What Happens After You Pass?
Most firms start at 80/20 or 85/15, scaling to 90/10 or even 100% (e.g., The5ers, Funded Trading Plus, City Traders Imperium) as you hit milestones. Apex Trader Funding stands out with 100% of your first $25,000 in profits.
Scaling potential varies wildly. FTMO caps at $2M, FundedNext and The5ers at $4M, but Lux Trading Firm theoretically scales you to $10M. But beware: scaling is always conditional on consistent profitability and passing additional tests. Few traders ever reach those upper tiers.
Challenge Fees: Upfront Cost vs. Value
Fees range from $39 (City Traders Imperium’s $2.5K account) up to $4,999 (Lux Trading Firm’s $1M account). For a $100K standard account, expect:
- FTMO: $540
- E8 Markets: $588
- FundedNext: $539
- The5ers: $395
- MyFundedFX: $549
- Blue Guardian: $397
Futures firms often charge monthly: TopStep is $149/mo for $100K, My Funded Futures is $297/mo. If you plan to take multiple attempts, those costs add up.
Instruments & Leverage: Does the Test Fit Your Strategy?
If you trade only forex, almost all firms are open. But if you want to trade stocks, only FTMO offers them. Futures traders are limited to Apex, TopStep, My Funded Futures, Tradeify, and Take Profit Trader. Leverage also varies: FTMO, FundedNext, MyFundedFX, Blue Guardian, and Goat Funded Trader offer 1:100; others like Lux and The5ers are much lower (1:10–1:30), which can limit your position sizing and strategy flexibility.
Hidden Trade-Offs and Non-Obvious Rules
Trailing Drawdown: The Silent Killer
Some firms use trailing drawdown, which moves up with your equity or balance. This means that as you profit, your "safety cushion" shrinks. For example, at Apex Trader Funding and My Funded Futures, if you make $3,000 on a $50K account, your max loss limit rises, making it easier to breach after a bad day. Static drawdown (as at FTMO or City Traders Imperium) is less punishing for swing traders or those who pyramid profits.
News Trading and Weekend Holding
Not all firms allow trading during high-impact news or holding trades over the weekend. FTMO allows both, but restricts swing trading during news events. The5ers, TopStep, and Tradeify prohibit weekend holding entirely. If your edge is in news volatility or swing trading, double-check these restrictions before signing up.
Evaluation Models: One-Step vs. Two-Step vs. Instant Funding
Most classic tests are two-phase (e.g., FTMO: 10% in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2). Some firms (The5ers, Funded Trading Plus) offer instant funding for a higher fee, but with stricter rules and lower initial payout. One-step evaluations (Apex, My Funded Futures) get you to funded status faster, but often involve trailing drawdown or monthly fees.
Consistency Rules and Payout Delays
Some firms require consistency in lot size, risk, or even profit distribution across days (TopStep: 50% consistency, Blue Guardian: Guardian Shield, Goat Funded Trader: 15% rule). These can trip up traders who pass the profit target in one big trade. Payouts can also be delayed: Blue Guardian only refunds your fee after your fourth payout; Apex and My Funded Futures require a "cushion" before withdrawals.
Which Test Is Right for You? Trader Profiles
For Fast, High-Conviction Traders
Pick firms with low minimum trading days and unlimited time: Tradeify (1 day), My Funded Futures (2 days), The5ers (3 days), MyFundedFX (3 days). You can hit your target quickly and get funded faster. But beware of tight drawdown limits (Tradeify and The5ers: 4–6%).
For Slow and Steady, Low-Volatility Strategies
Prioritize unlimited trading periods and lower profit targets: E8 Markets (8%, unlimited time), MyFundedFX (8%, unlimited time), The5ers (6%, unlimited). These allow you to trade smaller and avoid blowing up on a single bad day. Accept lower leverage (1:30–1:50) as the trade-off for more breathing room.
For Swing or News Traders
FTMO, FundedNext, MyFundedFX, Blue Guardian, and Goat Funded Trader all allow news trading and weekend holding. Avoid The5ers, TopStep, and Tradeify if you want to hold trades over weekends or through news.
For Futures-Only Traders
Your main choices are Apex Trader Funding, TopStep, My Funded Futures, Tradeify, and Take Profit Trader. Apex and My Funded Futures have 0% daily drawdown and one-phase evaluations, but beware of trailing drawdown and monthly fees. TopStep and Tradeify offer EOD trailing drawdown and weekly payouts, but require consistency and have lower drawdown limits (4%).
For Maximum Scaling Potential
Lux Trading Firm boasts $10M scaling, but with 6% static drawdown, 1:10 leverage, and high challenge fees ($4,999 for $1M). Realistically, few traders reach this level. FTMO ($2M), FundedNext and The5ers ($4M), and Funded Trading Plus ($2.5M–$5.25M) offer more attainable scaling paths with more flexible rules, but you’ll need to hit multiple profit milestones.
How to Assess Your Odds: Calculators and Tools
Before you pay any fee, use the PropSurvivalEngine calculator to model your odds based on your average win rate, risk per trade, and strategy volatility. You can also compare firm rules side-by-side at /compare or check firm health scores at /health for up-to-date reliability and payout data.
Non-Obvious Insights Most Traders Miss
- Unlimited time is more valuable than a low fee. Passing in 60 days is often easier than passing in 30, even if the cost is slightly higher.
- Trailing drawdown can sabotage you after you’re profitable. Plan for how withdrawals or large trades will affect your "buffer."
- Firms with instant funding or high profit splits often have stricter rules or lower drawdown limits. Don’t chase the highest split if you can’t realistically pass the test.
- Monthly subscription models can get expensive if you don’t pass quickly. Budget for multiple attempts, not just the first month.
- Consistency rules can disqualify you after you’ve technically passed. Don’t rely on "home run" trades unless the firm explicitly allows it.
Bottom Line: How to Choose and Pass Your Next Test
The best prop firm test for you depends entirely on your trading style, risk tolerance, and capital. If you’re aggressive and can handle volatility, FTMO or FundedNext’s 10% targets and higher drawdown may work. If you’re methodical, E8 Markets or The5ers’ unlimited time and lower targets reduce pressure. Futures traders should weigh the trade-off between trailing drawdown (Apex, My Funded Futures) and lower profit targets (TopStep, Tradeify).
Ultimately, passing the test is less about luck and more about matching your strategy to the right firm’s rules. The more honest you are about your strengths and weaknesses, the higher your odds of not just passing, but keeping your funded account—and your profits.