Took 4 Prop Firm Challenges Here's What I Learned (and Why I'm Still Not Profitable)

[theoiltrader]

Hey everyone,
After lurking for a while and reading some incredible trading journals here, I figured it was time to post my own not because I’ve made it, but because I haven’t. I’m still deep in the journey. Maybe sharing this helps someone avoid some of the traps I fell into (and still fall into).

Background​

I started trading FX about 6 years ago stopped, started, life got in the way. Came back fully around late 2022 when I discovered online prop firms.

The pitch was hard to ignore:
📈 $100K accounts for $500
📉 No risk to personal capital
💰 Get funded + payouts if you follow the rules

I've now taken 4 prop firm challenges across 3 different firms. Passed two, failed two. Still haven't taken a payout. Brutal.

Why I'm Posting​

I’ve realized I had strategy hop syndrome, lacked consistent journaling, and never deeply studied which firm actually matched my trading style.

So I’m changing that — and documenting everything here.

My goal: build a 2-year track record, understand my trading edge, and match with a firm that fits my actual behavior — not just one with flashy ads.

Current Setup​

• Strategy: 1H/15M hybrid swing-intraday with EMAs and structure
• Entry trigger: Pullback + liquidity wick inside fib zone
• Trading style: Risk 1%, max 3 trades/day
• Tools: MT5 + journaling every trade manually
• Account: Currently re-taking a 50K challenge (day 4)

What Changed for Me Recently​

One of the biggest shifts was using a tool that actually analyzed my trades and showed me what style I was trading based on data — not what I thought I was doing.

Turns out I was trading like an aggressive intraday scalper, even though I thought I was swing trading. 🤦‍♂️ No wonder I kept violating time-based or news-based rules.

I now run my trades through a tool called ForexPropRank that gives me a “Prop Firm Ready Score.” It breaks down:

• Trade duration & timing
• Drawdown behavior
• Rule violations (hidden and obvious)
• Style classification
• And then matches me with firms that fit that profile

Honestly, I wish I used it before blowing 3 challenges.

If you're stuck like I was, it's worth checking it out. (Just search ForexPropRank, I won’t drop a link — not here to promote.)

What I’ll Share in This Thread​

• Win/loss stats
• Account curve
• Emotional breakdowns
• Rules I violated
• Which firms I’m testing
• Payouts (when they finally come 😅)

No cap, no guru BS. Just raw documentation.