Before entering, grade the trade on how well it matches your setup definition. A perfect setup (all signals confirm, volume high, trend aligned, time is right) is a 100 or A. A weak setup (one signal, volume low, trend unclear) is a 50 or C. Over 50+ trades, compare: do 80+ grades average +1.2R while 50– grades average −0.1R? If yes, use the grade as a filter and only take high-scoring setups.
- Pre-trade grades separate luck from skill
- Most traders find their best setups score >80
- Grades force you to be specific about setup quality
- You can improve accuracy by 30%+ just by filtering for high scores
- TRADZY Void Engine scores automatically as you trade
Most traders take every setup they see. Better traders take only the clearest ones. The difference is pre-trade grading.
The scoring system
Option 1: 0–100 scale
| Score | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | Textbook setup. All signals align, volume is hot, context is perfect. | ORB with 2× average volume, opening range clear, no overnight gap chaos. |
| 75–89 | Good setup. Most signals confirm, volume decent, context is neutral to good. | ORB with 1.5× volume, range clear, slight overnight gap. |
| 60–74 | Borderline. Some signals confirm, volume is average, context is mixed. | ORB with 1× volume, range tight, choppy overnight. |
| 40–59 | Weak. Few signals confirm, volume low, context is working against you. | Might be an ORB but volume under average, range is tiny, yesterday was choppy. |
| Below 40 | Don't take it. This is hope, not setup. | "I think it might go up." |
Option 2: A/B/C system (simpler)
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Textbook. Take this every time. |
| B | OK. Take it, but log it separately to compare to As. |
| C | Borderline. You can take it, but optional. |
Use whichever fits your brain better. Most traders find 0–100 gives better granularity; A/B/C is faster.
How to score (before entry)
Pull up the chart and ask these questions:
1. Does the setup meet your definition?
✅ Yes, perfectly → +20 points ⚠️ Mostly → +10 points ❌ No → +0 points
ORB example:
- Is there a clear 15-min range? ✅ → +20
- Has the high or low been broken? ✅ → +20
- Is volume above 1.5× average? ⚠️ → +10
- Current subtotal: 50 points
2. Is volume confirming?
✅ 2× average or higher → +15 points ⚠️ 1.5× average → +10 points ❌ Below 1.5× average → +0 points
Continuing the ORB: Volume is 1.8× average → +15 Current subtotal: 65 points
3. Does the trend or context support it?
✅ Trend is up, and this is a pullback → +20 points ✅ Trend is down, and this is a breakdown → +20 points ⚠️ Trend is neutral, but setup is clear → +10 points ❌ Trend is against the setup → +0 points
Continuing the ORB: Overnight news gap was down; ORB breakout is against overnight trend → +0 points Current subtotal: 65 points
4. Is the risk/reward acceptable?
✅ 2:1 or better → +15 points ⚠️ 1.5:1 → +10 points ❌ Below 1.5:1 → +0 points
Continuing the ORB: Entry $150, stop $148 (30 cents), target $155 (500 cents). Reward is $500 ÷ $30 = 16.7:1 → +15 Current subtotal: 80 points
5. Is it in your best time or session?
✅ Your golden hour (09:30 AM, 3:00 PM) → +10 points ⚠️ Neutral time → +5 points ❌ Your dead zone (11:00 AM–1:00 PM) → +0 points
Continuing the ORB: It's 09:45 AM, in the golden hour → +10 Final score: 90
Grade: A
Your Journal Should Find the Pattern for You
TRADZY's TradLog tags every trade by setup, session and emotion, then shows where your edge actually is.
Start Your Free Journal →Testing your grades
After 50 trades scored, run this analysis:
| Grade | Trades | Avg result | Avg win | Avg loss | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (90–100) | 12 | +0.92R | +1.4R | −1.0R | 67% |
| B (75–89) | 18 | +0.38R | +1.1R | −0.9R | 44% |
| C (60–74) | 15 | −0.05R | +0.8R | −1.0R | 40% |
The pattern is clear: A grades are +0.92R expectancy, C grades are negative. The strategy:
✅ Take every A grade ✅ Consider B grades, but log separately ❌ Skip C grades entirely
By filtering, you:
- Cut trades by 40% (only As and some Bs)
- Improve results by 60%+ (eliminating C grades)
- Spend less time trading (more time analyzing)
Using grades to refine your setup definition
If B grades underperform, your setup definition is too loose. Tighten it.
Example:
- You score an ORB a 75 (B) because volume is only 1.2×
- After 20 trades: B grades with low volume average −0.1R
- New rule: "Minimum 1.5× volume for ORB"
- Next 20 B grades all hit 1.5× volume
- New average: +0.5R
Your definition got better.
Common scoring mistakes
Mistake 1: Scoring emotionally
❌ "This looks great, I FEEL like it will work" → 95 grade
✅ Run the checklist. Score objectively.
Emotions add 15–20 points artificially. Remove them.
Mistake 2: Scoring after the fact
❌ "The trade won, so it must have been a 95."
✅ Score before entry. Once you enter, the score is locked in. Let the data speak.
This prevents hindsight bias from inflating grades.
Mistake 3: Not filtering on grades
❌ Score every trade, but take all of them anyway.
✅ Score trades, then only take A grades for 30 days. See how results change.
If you score but don't filter, you're just journaling. You're not improving.
Automating with TRADZY
TRADZY's Void Engine grades every setup from A+ to F automatically as you trade:
- Setup matching to your definition
- Volume confirmation
- Trend alignment
- Risk/reward calculation
- Time-of-day bonus
Your grades build automatically. The app shows: "Your A-grade (90+) trades average +1.1R. Your C-grade (60–74) trades average −0.2R."
FAQ
How do I score a swing trade or a longer-term position?
Same method, but add: - Support/resistance alignment → +15 points - Macro trend (is the weekly chart supporting?) → +15 points - News calendar (any big events in the next 3 days?) → +10 points The process is the same; the inputs change with your time frame.
What if most of my trades are C grades?
Your setup definition is too loose. Go back and tighten it. A real setup should produce 60%+ A-grade instances.
Should I skip all C grades or take some?
Skip for 30 days and measure results. If results improve, keep skipping. If they're the same (because C grade trades aren't the leak), then you can reconsider.
Can I improve a C-grade trade to A-grade?
No. Once you enter, the grade is locked. For next time: if you see a C-grade setup, improve the setup definition or wait for a clearer signal.
Does grading take a lot of extra time?
No. 30–60 seconds per trade. Once it's habit, it's automatic.
Put This Into Practice
- Log your next 20 trades with setup, session and emotion tags
- Let the TradLog surface your best and worst setups
- Run the weekly review and cut one leak
Start Free in TRADZY →
Educational content, not financial advice. Trading involves substantial risk of loss.