 TITLE: How Does a Credit Score Simulator Work? CONTENT: When Does It Make Sense to Use a Credit Score Simulator?\n--------------------------------------------------------\nCredit score simulators let you compare the consequences of different actions in a general way. If you're considering taking on a mortgage, for instance, a simulator can help you see how taking on that new debt could affect your credit score.\nPerhaps more important, a simulator can give you an idea how different credit-use strategies can help you raise your credit score before you submit a mortgage application. Paying down a credit card with a high utilization ratio is likely to benefit your score more than paying off one with low utilization, for instance. On the other hand, making early payments on your loans may save you some interest charges, but it might not have much effect on your credit score at all.\nCredit score simulators can help you gain a greater understanding of the factors that influence credit scores and how they interact with one another. Consulting simulators to help think through credit decisions can be a useful exercise, along with regularly checking your credit reports and monitoring your credit scores. You can get a free copy of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also check your credit report and see your FICO® Score 8 based on your Experian report for free directly through Experian. END