Pair and timeframe selected deliberatelyNot just "what I feel like today" — based on your current strategy focus
Session window identifiedLondon (08:00-16:00 GMT), NY (13:00-21:00 GMT), or overlap — pick one, don't drift between
High-impact news events notedMark any NFP, CPI, FOMC, BoE, ECB within the replay window — adjust entry rules accordingly
Spread accounted for in targetsEURUSD ~0.5-1 pip, GBPUSD ~0.5-1.5 pip, XAUUSD ~20-50 pip — subtract from profit targets
Entry criteria written down before session startsExact rules: what makes this a valid setup? Written down, not in your head
Stop loss rule definedFixed pips, ATR-based, or structure-based — decide before you see the chart, not after
Max trades per session setWrite the number above. When you hit it, the session ends — no exceptions
During Replay — Execution Rules (10 points)
Only take setups that meet ALL entry criteria"Looks close enough" is not a valid entry — if it fails 1 criterion, skip it
Stop loss set BEFORE entry is placedNot after price moves — your SL is part of the setup, not an afterthought
Take profit defined at time of entryAt minimum: 1.5× your SL distance. If you can't identify a TP level, skip the trade
No entries during news (unless your strategy specifies)High-impact news within 15 minutes = skip. News trading is a different strategy entirely
No chasing after a missed entryIf price moved 20+ pips beyond your planned entry, the setup is gone. Wait for next one
No moving SL against the trade ("revenge SL")Widening your stop to avoid a loss is a loss. Take it
Each trade logged immediately after closeDon't wait until end of session — memory distorts, especially after losses
Stop trading after 3 consecutive lossesNot a rule about being wrong — a rule about mental state deteriorating
Stop trading if daily loss limit is hitDefined above — when it's hit, the session is over. Non-negotiable
Pausing when distracted or emotionalReplay can be paused. Live trading can't. Use this advantage
Post-Session Review (8 points)
Win rate calculated for this sessionWins ÷ Total trades × 100. Log it
Profit factor calculatedSum of wins ÷ Sum of losses. Target: above 1.5 consistently
Average R:R reviewedSum of (win/SL) for each trade ÷ number of trades. Is your actual RR meeting your planned RR?
Missed setups identifiedTrades that met criteria but were skipped — why? Fear? Distraction? Log the reason
Rule violations identifiedEvery trade that broke a rule, noted honestly — even if it was profitable
One improvement identified for next sessionSpecific, actionable. Not "trade better" — "skip setup when H4 is in counter-trend"
Running totals updatedCumulative win rate, cumulative PF across all sessions so far — this is your real edge data
Is sample size statistically significant yet?Under 50 trades: treat results as directional only. 100+ trades: start making strategy decisions. 200+: reliable data
Beginner exploration
Three questions to help you use this page
Open each answer for a plain-language way to read Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist, test it carefully and decide what to explore next.
What does “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” mean for a beginner?
This page focuses on “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”.Use this printable forex backtesting checklist to freeze rules, choose data, model costs, log every signal, protect a holdout, and review results.For “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”, a beginner should identify what the worksheet measures, assumes or teaches before acting on its conclusion.Treat this page's account of “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” as a learning reference rather than a prediction, signal or promise of future performance.
How should a beginner use this page to explore “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”?
For “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”, read the instructions once before filling any field, then use one consistent definition throughout the sheet.While exploring “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”, complete a single real example before copying the template across a larger sample.Keep your “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” record honest: write unknown inputs as unknown instead of filling them with a convenient estimate.Before leaving “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist”, review the completed record for missing context before using it to change a trading rule.
How can AI help explore “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” responsibly?
Turn one idea from “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” into a rule with explicit inputs, dates, costs and pass-or-fail conditions.Ask AI to expose missing assumptions in that “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” test, not to guess the next market move.Use the FXAbsolute AI Backtesting Lab to inspect calculations connected to “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” and the assumptions behind them.Reproduce any important “Forex Backtesting Pre-Session Checklist” result and reserve unseen data before deciding that an apparent pattern is useful.
Print the checklist if that helps, but write these answers in ink or a locked note. They prevent a clean-looking historical chart from becoming an exercise in changing the rules after every candle.
Exact entry, stop, target, and skip conditions.
Pair, timeframe, session, and unseen date range.
Spread, commission, slippage, and gap assumptions.
Maximum trades and the stopping rule for the session.
Fields that must be completed before a result is visible.
A checklist works when it removes choices from the middle of the test.