FAQ’s About the Courses
Is the cost a one-time fee? Or is there any ongoing subscription required?
All course costs are a one-time fee for lifetime access, and the courses are fully stand-alone. Upon completing the course, you will have everything you need to fully understand and execute the systems with confidence. No ongoing subscriptions are required.
Are the courses worth the cost?
In our own personal experience trading these systems, the returns are many times greater than the cost of the courses. Here is a hypothetical example to help you evaluate their value:
- If you have a $100,000 account and you expect to make 6% per year (a bit better than 60/40 buy and hold), at the end of 15 years your account would be worth $239,655.
- If you made 13% per year (using the Hybrid system), at the end of 15 years your account would be worth $625,427. The difference between the two returns is $385,722.
- So, would you invest the cost of a course to make more than $380,000? If you have a $50,000 account, would you invest the cost of a course to make more than $19,000?
Ultimately, the choice is yours, but we find that the cost of a course is a fraction of the potential profits these systems can generate.
Are These Courses Built Around Dr. Van Tharp’s Methodologies?
Yes. As former instructors at the Van Tharp Institute, both Dr. Ken Long and Bill Scheidt are deeply grounded in Dr. Van Tharp’s methodologies. His influence is woven throughout the courses in several key ways:
- Psychology first – Every system begins with the beliefs behind it, emphasizing Dr. Tharp’s core idea that psychology is the most important part of trading.
- Know your edges – Each system includes a clear breakdown of its edges, in line with Dr Tharp’s teaching to always understand your edges.
- Six components of a trading system – The systems are structured using Dr. Tharp’s framework: market filter, setup, entry, initial exit, profit-taking stops, and position sizing.
- Tharp Think metrics – All system results are presented using both traditional metrics (CAGR, Max DD%, Total Return, etc.) and Tharp-specific metrics like R-multiples, Expectancy, and SQN.
The result is a course structure that stays true to Dr. Tharp’s principles while offering practical, ready-to-use trading tools.
Are the courses virtual and asynchronous?
Yes, the courses are 100% virtual and asynchronous, delivered via the Ruzuku platform. You can access them with any web-capable device, anywhere in the world.
Are there opportunities to connect with other students and get support after the courses?
Yes, we have a community of traders actively trading these systems. You can connect with them, and course instructor Bill Scheidt, on our Patreon channel. Visit Patreon
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have lifetime unlimited access to all courses.
How long will it take me to complete the course?
Most students find it reasonable to budget four to six hours to complete a course. Each course consists of approximately 15 to 20 lessons, with individual lessons typically taking 15 to 45 minutes to work through, depending on your learning pace. Courses are asynchronous, so you can progress at your own speed.
Are there any prerequisites for the courses?
There are no prerequisites for the Momentum and Portfolio Moving Average (PMA) courses. However, the Hybrid Course builds on concepts from the Momentum and PMA courses. If you have studied with Dr. Ken Long or Dr. Van Tharp or have trading experience, it will help you assimilate the material faster. That said, the content is presented in a straightforward and accessible manner for all participants.
Are risk management and position sizing part of your courses?
Yes, these are critically important topics in all the systems we teach. Each course covers them in depth, including worst-case drawdown analysis, adverse market conditions, and Monte Carlo simulations.
Why learn about the hybrid systems when BMR and PMA are so good already?
Yes, the BMR and PMA systems all qualify as excellent systems according to Dr Van Tharp’s SQN scores. The hybrid systems offer an extra edge by adding systems-level diversity in one meta system. This often produces greater returns on smaller drawdowns than either of the individual sub-components. This 4-minute video provides more insight.
FAQ’s About the Systems
What software is required to execute these systems?
No specific software subscription is required. Dr. Ken Long and his students traditionally used Excel spreadsheets for calculations. Some traders prefer services like ETFreplay, Edge Rater, or Portfolio Visualizer, but the choice is yours based on personal preference.
What brokers are required to execute these systems?
These systems can be executed at any retail broker and are adaptable to restricted retirement accounts with limited fund choices or trading frequency.
Could these systems be automated?
Yes, the systems are rules-based and mechanical. With appropriate coding skills, they can potentially be automated.
Are These Systems Mechanical and Rules-Based?
Yes—these systems are fully mechanical and rules-based. They rely entirely on mathematical rules, with no need for chart pattern interpretation, indicator analysis, or any kind of subjective decision-making.
This approach results in systems that are:
- Simple to execute
- Low in cognitive load
- Low-stress and highly repeatable
In short, they remove emotion from the process and allow you to focus on consistent, disciplined execution.
Could these systems be applied to individual stocks instead of indexes, ETFs, and mutual funds?
Absolutely. These systems can be used with individual stocks, bonds, or other markets. You can build a custom universe of instruments, apply the system rules to identify opportunities, and rebalance your portfolio accordingly.
How much time does it take per month to execute these systems?
These systems require only minutes per month to execute. At the time of writing, Bill Scheidt manages six different monthly systems across six accounts, taking less than 60 minutes per month in total.
What indicators are required to execute these systems?
These systems are based purely on mathematical calculations and do not rely on indicators, chart analysis, technical analysis, or fundamental analysis. One of the key advantages of these systems is the reduced cognitive load— a hidden cost of trading—that comes with clear-cut, objective calculations and decision-making. As rules-based, mechanical systems, there is no subjective interpretation, so you won’t be left second-guessing your decisions.