Interviewer: I believe our traders want to know — what’s your trading history? How did you start trading?
Steve: I started in 2021, experiencing ups and downs without really knowing what I was doing, to be honest. I wasn’t familiar with chart patterns or movements back then, so I was simply trading by the motto “learning by doing.” It was that simple in the beginning.
Interviewer: As of now, what’s been your most successful trade?
Steve: I made €20K in one day — right when the war in Ukraine broke out — thanks to a short position I had opened the day before. I’m not really proud of that trade because it profited from the suffering of many people, and it was more about luck than solid market techniques.
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I often ask myself, “Would I make that trade again?” and the answer is a clear NO, because trading shouldn’t be a gamble. That trade was a gamble, and it should have been more predictable.
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Interviewer: How long have you been trading with Sabio? I believe you bought your first assessment account in July of this year, am I right?
Steve: That’s correct. I started trading with Sabio about three to five months ago. It was my first account with a prop firm and my first challenge with Sabio — and so far, I’ve felt quite fortunate.
Interviewer: Why did you decide to join us?
Steve: I joined because a teacher, who has a lot of experience in Germany, recommended you. He guided me through the initial steps to take on the challenge, and after that, I decided to give it a try — and it turned out to be very successful.
Interviewer: What exact assets did you trade on your assessment account?
Steve: It depends on what I feel comfortable with. I only trade indices — mostly the Dow Jones and NASDAQ. For other assets, like oil or gold, I just don’t feel comfortable. I focus solely on the markets that suit me based on my past experiences; so far, I’ve only chosen these two markets.
Interviewer: What about strategy? Do you use the same strategy across all your accounts? I understand you’ve passed the assessment three times with us, correct?
Steve: Yes. For me, it’s crucial to follow a personal set of refined, stress-free rules — it really helps to remain calm when trading.
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One key principle is not to change your strategy, especially during inevitable periods of loss.
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You have to accept losses as part of the game. It’s hard to accept, but nobody can win every day.
Interviewer: There are thousands of traders out there searching for a winning strategy. Can you reveal the strategy that helped you nail the assessment?
Steve: It’s quite simple, really. I learned it from my teacher — it revolves around Heikin-Ashi candlesticks and spotting imbalance candles that indicate a change in market direction. Essentially, it’s all about maintaining a clear view of the prevailing trend.
| ✍️ Steve’s Assessment Nailer Strategy
Step 1. Simplify Your View
For beginners, the Heikin-Ashi method offers a streamlined way to identify trends while filtering out unnecessary market noise. On the image below you can see how the Heikin-Ashi chart (bottom) shows clearer trend than a standard chart at the top.

Step 2. Balance Candles
Patterns like spinning tops or Dojis can signal market indecision. When you see several of these candles in a row, they often hint at a potential reversal in the market.

You can discover more about Heikin-Ashi charts and popular candlestick patterns in this article.
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Interviewer: How long did it take you to pass your assessment and get your funded account?
Steve: Not as long as I initially expected. Typically, the period ranges from 10 to 20 days, but mine was even faster.
Interviewer: In your opinion, what are the main reasons for not passing the assessment in the beginning?