Summary: What Educational Resources Do Top Prop Firms Provide?
If you’re trying to break into proprietary trading or just curious what the best “prop firms” actually offer their traders, you’re probably wondering: Do they give real training, or just toss you into the deep end? This article unpacks the actual educational resources at leading proprietary trading firms, how they differ, and what happens when you sign up. I’ll share my own experiences, some surprise findings, a few embarrassing mistakes, and real-world examples (plus a dash of industry gossip).
Can Prop Firms Really Train You — Or Is It All Just Hype?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Not every prop firm is created equal. There’s the old-school brick-and-mortar Chicago shops, the slick London quant outfits, plus the remote “funded trader” firms that exploded during the pandemic. Each has their own take on education, and honestly, some are just better at it.
I’ve personally tried the challenge route with FTMO and MyForexFunds, and also had interviews with Jane Street and SIG. The difference in training culture is… well, night and day.
Step 1: What Kinds of Training Do the Top Firms Actually Offer?
Here’s what I found, both from my own research and from talking to friends in the industry:
- Structured In-House Academies: Firms like Susquehanna International Group (SIG) and Jane Street run their own training bootcamps. Seriously — weeks of paid, full-time learning with pro traders and PhDs as mentors.
- Mentorship & Desk Rotation: Most top firms pair you with senior traders, often as part of a “rotation” system. You get to shadow, ask dumb questions (I asked if it was okay to lose money on day one — answer: “Don’t make a habit of it!”), and see how different desks operate.
- Online Courses & Study Groups: Some firms, especially remote ones like FTMO, offer video lessons, webinars, and Discord/Slack study groups. The quality varies — some are fantastic, some feel like recycled YouTube content.
- Mock Trading & Simulators: It’s not all classroom theory. At firms like DRW, you’re thrown into simulated trading games, sometimes with real cash at stake. I once lost an entire virtual “portfolio” betting on a fake earnings report — humbling, but I never forgot the lesson.
- Feedback Loops: The best firms give you regular feedback. I got weekly “review sessions” at a boutique prop in Amsterdam, where my mentor would literally draw over my trade logs with red marker. Brutal, but incredibly useful.
Here’s a quick screenshot from FTMO’s online education portal (their “Trading Academy” section):
Step 2: Are These Resources Any Good? (Let’s Get Real)
Here’s where it gets messy. Some firms’ “education” is just a PDF and a pep talk. Others invest hundreds of thousands in new hires. The best indicator? Retention rate — if graduates stick around, the training probably works.
For example, SIG’s 10-week trader program is legendary. They teach you probability theory, game theory, risk management — and you do actual trading competitions. You get paid during training, which is a big deal (see SIG’s official program: SIG Graduate Programs).
I once tried a “remote funded challenge” with a well-known online prop firm. The onboarding webinar was slick, but the actual trading support was… minimal. Their Discord chat was full of memes and complaints about slippage. But to be fair, some traders prefer this “learn by doing” approach.
A friend at Jane Street told me their new traders spend as much time in training as at their desks during the first six months. The expectation is — if you mess up, you get feedback and a chance to fix it. No shame in beginner mistakes (I wish more firms had this attitude).
Step 3: Mentorship — The Secret Sauce
Here’s something I learned the hard way: The best education is a good mentor. When I started, I thought I could just binge-watch trading videos and copy strategies. Nope. It was my mentor at a small London prop who called me out for “revenge trading” and explained why I was sabotaging myself.
At top firms, mentorship isn’t just advice — it’s built into the culture. You join a desk, you get a buddy, you review trades together. Some firms (like Optiver) even rotate mentors every few months, so you get different perspectives.
In contrast, the “challenge model” prop firms (the ones where you pay a fee to try out) rarely offer true mentorship, unless you pay extra for a “coaching” package.
Industry Expert View: Why Training Matters (A Simulated Chat with a Senior Trader)
I once chatted with “Dan,” a senior trader at a Chicago prop. He told me: “We don’t expect new grads to know everything. If you’re smart, curious, and willing to learn, we can teach you the rest. But if you think you know it all on day one, you usually burn out fast.”
Dan stressed that the best traders weren’t always the best students, but the ones who asked questions and took feedback seriously.
Real Case Study: MyForexFunds vs. SIG — Two Worlds of Training
When I tried MyForexFunds, the “education” was basically a FAQ and a few trading tips. In contrast, at SIG, candidates get a full 10-week paid academy, daily lectures, and trading games. The feeling? One felt like a self-serve gym, the other like Olympic training camp.
To be fair, both models have their fans. Some people thrive on independence, others need structure. But if you want deep, expert-led education, the big-name firms (SIG, Jane Street, Optiver, DRW) are in a different league.
Comparing “Verified Trade” Standards: Global Differences
As a side note, when prop firms deal internationally, “verified trade” or compliance checks can vary a lot. Here’s a quick table comparing how different countries regulate verified trading activity:
| Country/Region | Standard Name | Legal Basis | Enforcement Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | SEC Rules 15c3-1, 17a-4 | Securities Exchange Act | SEC, FINRA |
| EU | MiFID II/MiFIR | MiFID II Directive | ESMA, National Regulators |
| UK | FCA COBS 11 | FCA Handbook | FCA |
| Australia | ASIC RG 265 | ASIC RG265 | ASIC |
| Singapore | SFA/SGX Rules | Securities and Futures Act | MAS, SGX |
As you can see, even the definition of a “verified trade” or what qualifies as compliant reporting varies. For example, MiFID II in the EU is far stricter on record-keeping than some Asian regulators (OECD comparison report).
In Closing: What Should You Look for in a Prop Firm’s Education?
If you’re serious about a trading career, don’t just look at the payouts or the “challenge fee.” Dig into the actual training. Ask if you’ll get real mentorship, daily feedback, and practical trading experience — not just theory.
My advice: If you’re new, aim for a firm with a formal training program and a healthy feedback culture. Don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions — the best firms expect it. And if you’re going the remote/self-funded route, find a group or mentor you trust. Trading is too tough to go it alone.
Next steps? Research the top prop firms' websites (start with Optiver's Graduate Program or SIG's Academy) and reach out to current or former traders on LinkedIn. Nothing beats a candid chat with someone who’s been there.
And if you ever get stuck, remember: Even the best traders were once beginners. Your learning curve today is tomorrow’s edge.