Pre-Session Checklist — Trading Learner Hub

MACRO Check the economic calendar

Any high-impact events today? Fed speakers, CPI, NFP, FOMC, GDP, PMI. forexfactory.com or your broker's calendar.

KILLZONE Identify today's killzones

High-probability windows for futures. Avoid trading straight through a high-impact news print at 8:30 AM.

London Open

02:00–05:00 AM EST

NY Killzone

08:30–11:00 AM EST

NY Prime

09:30–11:00 AM EST ★

NY Mid

10:00–12:00 PM EST

RISK Set your daily risk cap

Stop the session if hit. 1–2% of account per day is the standard guardrail.

BIAS Define your directional bias

Daily chart first. What's the higher timeframe telling you?

LEVELS Mark your chart levels

Before the open. Higher timeframe first, then intraday.

SETUPS Plan your session trades

Max 2–3 setups per session. Fewer, better entries. Walk through each one before the open.

NEWS Skip or trade through news?

High-impact news within 30 min: pause. Let market settle post-release, then look for sweeps and FVGs.

SCREENSHOT Capture your pre-session chart

Save a screenshot of your chart with levels marked. Helps you review at end of day.

JOURNAL Log your session intent

60 seconds now saves hours of "why did I take that?" later.