Why prop challenges fail for reasons that aren't strategy

[FXS London Scalper]

Plenty of challenge attempts end because of a rule slip, while the strategy itself was fine. A list collected from discussions here:

• Trading inside a firm's restricted window around major news because the economic calendar was set to the wrong time zone.
• Misunderstanding the drawdown type: daily drawdown measured from equity at the start of the day, including open trades.
• Holding over the weekend when not allowed.
• Exceeding the maximum lot size on one instrument.
• Hitting the minimum trading days rule by stopping too early.
• Using an EA that the firm doesn't allow, or copying trades between accounts.

How to avoid them: write each rule on one page in your own words, with an example. "Daily loss of 5% is measured from X at Y o'clock" is more useful than a link to the FAQ.

Check the calendar time zone setting once before starting. It's a ten-second check that protects the whole fee.

Which rule surprised you most?