A reset fee is what a firm charges to put a failed evaluation back to the starting balance with the rules re-armed. It's usually cheaper than a brand-new evaluation, but not always, especially once you factor in a good PIP rate on a new eval.
When reset is clearly the right call
- The reset fee is $50–$80 and the new evaluation would be $100+ even after PIP.
- You were close to the profit target and know exactly what went wrong.
- You don't want to change account size or firm.
- You're mid-plan and would lose momentum by starting a different firm.
When new evaluation is the right call
- The current PIP rate is 70%+ and new evaluations are $40–$60.
- You've reset once or twice already and the pattern that's losing money hasn't changed.
- You want to switch to a different account size or drawdown type.
- You want to switch firms entirely because the rule set isn't fitting your style.
The math
Take the reset fee as your baseline. Compare it to the cheapest new-eval price after today's PIP rate. If the difference is less than $30, pick based on what you need to change about your plan. If the difference is larger than $30, pick the cheaper option unless there's a specific strategic reason not to.
Don't reset mechanically
Two or three resets on the same plan is a red flag, the plan isn't working. Use the time between evaluations to change something concrete (sizing, target, drawdown type), not just to try the same plan again.