How to Pass the Topstep Evaluation: Rules, Tips, and Mistakes to Avoid

Category: Prop Firms | Date: 2026-05-05

What Is the Topstep Trading Combine?

The Topstep Trading Combine is a funded account evaluation program where traders prove their skill by hitting a profit target while staying within defined risk parameters. Pass the evaluation and Topstep funds you with a live account — no personal capital at risk.

The Combine is not a live trading account. It is a simulated environment with real market data where Topstep measures your consistency, discipline, and risk management before trusting you with their capital.

Topstep Combine Rules (2026)

Profit Targets

Each account size has a profit target you must reach to move to the funded stage:

$50K account: $3,000 profit target
$100K account: $6,000 profit target
$150K account: $9,000 profit target

Daily Loss Limit

The daily loss limit (DLL) is the maximum you can lose in a single trading day, including open positions. Breaching the DLL ends your Combine immediately with no warning:

$50K account: $1,000 daily loss limit
$100K account: $2,000 daily loss limit
$150K account: $3,000 daily loss limit

Maximum Drawdown

Topstep uses a trailing maximum drawdown that follows your highest account balance. If your account reaches $51,500 on a $50K Combine, your trailing drawdown limit rises with it. This is the rule that catches most traders off guard — a good day can tighten your safety net for the rest of the Combine.

Consistency Rule

Topstep requires that no single day accounts for more than 30% of your total profits. If you make $3,000 on one day and $0 on all others, you will not pass — even if you hit the profit target. This rule filters out traders who got lucky on one trade.

Strategies That Work in the Topstep Combine

Trade Small Early

Most failed Combines end in the first three days. Traders come in too aggressive, hit their daily loss limit on day two, and start over. Begin every Combine with your minimum contract size and only scale up once you have proven consistency across five or more sessions.

Set Your Own Daily Loss Limit Below Topstep's

Do not rely on Topstep's DLL as your stop. If the DLL is $1,000, set your personal exit rule at $600–$700. Leaving $300 of buffer means a bad trade or slippage event will not wipe out your day. Many funded traders never come close to the official DLL because they manage themselves first.

Spread Profits Across Multiple Days

Because of the consistency rule, you want to build profits incrementally. Aim for $150–$300 per day on a $50K Combine rather than trying to make $3,000 in a few sessions. Consistent small days satisfy the consistency rule and demonstrate the discipline Topstep is looking for.

Avoid High-Impact News Events

FOMC, NFP, and CPI releases can move futures ten or twenty times their normal range in seconds. Even a well-positioned trade can be stopped out and reversed during a news spike. Sit out the first five minutes after major releases until a clear direction is established.

Common Reasons Combines Fail

Revenge trading after a losing morning — doubling size to recover losses is the fastest way to breach the DLL.
Trading around economic news without a specific plan for volatility.
Ignoring the trailing drawdown — a strong early week can tighten your maximum loss for the rest of the Combine.
Making 80% of profits on a single day and failing the consistency rule even after hitting the target.
Not tracking daily P&L in real time and discovering a breach too late.

Using a Trade Copier Once You Are Funded

Passing the Topstep Combine is the beginning, not the end. Once funded, most serious traders copy their Topstep account to additional evaluations and funded accounts at Apex, Take Profit Trader, and MyFundedFutures simultaneously. Signal Trade App copies your live trades to unlimited follower accounts with sub-500ms latency, including bracket orders and stop-losses. One good trading day can generate payouts from three firms at once.

Start Your Combine With the Right Infrastructure

Approach the Topstep Combine like a business: defined entry criteria, strict daily loss rules, consistency as the north star. Most traders who fail do so not because of bad strategy but because of poor discipline and no risk framework. Get the rules right, trade small and consistent, and you will pass. When you do, Signal Trade App is ready to help you scale those funded accounts across the entire prop firm ecosystem.

Start Copy Trading Free

Signal Trade App lets you copy one trade across unlimited prop firm accounts in under 500ms. Sign up free with a 5-day Pro trial (credit card required, no charge during trial).