 TITLE: How to Improve Your Credit Score CONTENT: How Credit Scores Are Calculated\n--------------------------------\nCredit scores are determined by computer algorithms called scoring models that analyze one of your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. Scoring models (and there are many) may use different factors, or the same factors weighted differently, to determine a particular score. However, consumer credit scores generally share a few similarities:\n*   Scores are calculated based on the information in one of your credit reports.\n*   Scoring models try to predict the likelihood that a borrower will be 90 days late on a bill in the next 24 months.\n*   A higher score indicates a person is less likely to fall behind on a bill, and vice versa.\nThe vast majority of lenders use credit scores calculated by FICO and VantageScore® scoring models. The most recent versions of their generic credit scores use a score range of 300 to 850—and a score in the mid-600s or higher is often considered a good credit score. (Generic means they're created for any type of lender. FICO also creates industry-specific scoring models for auto lenders and card issuers that range from 250 to 900).\nConsidering how different credit scores use the same underlying information to try and predict the same outcome, it might not be surprising that the steps you take to try to improve one score can help increase all your credit scores.\nFor example, making on-time payments can help all your credit scores, while missing a payment will likely hurt all your scores. There are several factors that can affect your credit scores. Here, we'll focus on the actions you can take to help improve your credit scores.\n> ### How to Get Your FICO® Score for Free\n> \n> Understand the reasons that help or hurt your FICO® Score, including your payment history, how much credit you are using, as well as other factors that influence your overall credit.\n> \n> [Get Your FICO® Score](;br=exp&show=true&op=FRSC-ASK-ART-100-INL-XXXXXXX-XX-EXP-VMAC-YYY-836XXX-21271X-XXXXX&dAuth=true) END