Due to circumstances that aren't worth detailing, I'm finally ready to start my Apex EA, but there are only six trading days left before the first month ends and another charge goes onto my card. Obviously, there's no way for me to complete the evaluation before then. My thought is that I might as well be somewhat aggressive with my risk (maybe $500 per trade) and see if I can get into a strong position to close out the EA early in Month 2. If the drawdown gets me, I just pay again (which I'll be having to do, regardless). Does this seem rational, or am I overlooking something?

Has anyone had orders rejected and then seen the explanation "Liquidation only, contract is about to be expired." My only guess is that it's because I'm choosing the September 2025 version of the mini (ESU5, for example). Does anyone know for sure?

I'm trying to clarify the strategy with Fair Value Gaps. I know the idea is that price will reverse course at some point and come back into this zone. Is the strategy always to wait for it to close on the other side of the zone and then open a trade that assumes price will continue in that direction? Or is there also a strategy for when price dips into the zone (but doesn't go through it) and then reverses course again? In this example, price has returned to the zone. If a candle closes below the zone, I'll open a short position. Is it that simple? Or do I also prepare for a long trade if it comes back out and closes above the zone?

I'm in the process of setting up to go for a funded account. What are the bare minimum costs if I'm not planning to also trade with my own money? - I know the prop firms have application and activation fees. - As of now, I have the trial version of TradingView. I'm assuming I need to pay to access live data. - Can I use a prop firm with the free version of Tradovate? Or is that another monthly cost? - Anything else I'm missing? For now, I want to be sure I don't pay for anything more than what's needed to try the prop firm approach. Thanks

I'm at least a week away from wanting to take my shot at a funded account. Apex currently has 80% off, but it's expiring in two hours (according to the countdown clock). When that clock hits zeros, how long does it usually take for the next major discount promo? If I buy now, is the account automatically activated at that point? If it is activated immediately, how long do we have to pass the evaluation? Thanks