Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Your Credit Scores?

Highlights:

• Learning the ins and outs of credit scores can be beneficial
• There are many different credit scores
• Negative information on your credit reports can impact your credit scores

Your credit scores can play a role throughout your life -- like the process of buying a home, getting a job or determining what loans you're offered -- and at what terms. That's why knowing the ins and outs of your credit scores can be essential to understanding your personal finances. How much do you know about your credit scores? Take our quiz and find out.

1. Which of the following most influences your credit scores?

A) Getting divorced
B) Having a credit application denied
C) A drop in salary
D) None of the above

D. While the items listed may influence your finances, they generally won't have any effect on your credit scores. Income, marital status and denial of a credit application are not factors considered in calculating credit scores. 

2. Do you have more than one credit score?

YES. Many people are surprised to find out they have more than one credit score. Your scores can vary for several reasons, including the company providing the credit score, the data on which the credit score is based and the credit scoring method (or ways of calculating your credit scores) being used. The types of credit scores used by lenders and creditors can also vary, based on the industry. You can find more information about how credit scores are calculated here.

3. Generally, which of the following most influences your credit scores?

A) The types of credit accounts you have
B) Your payment history
C) The amount of credit you're using compared to the total amount available to you
D) The length of your credit history

B. While all the items listed are generally contributing factors when your credit scores are being calculated, your payment history typically is the largest factor in most credit scoring models. For more information, check out this infographic.

4. Does getting married change your credit scores?

NO. You maintain your own independent credit history even after you get married. If you and your spouse open joint accounts, then both of your credit scores will reflect how that account is handled moving forward, but marriage itself does not impact your credit scores.

5. Do good credit scores guarantee you'll be approved for credit?

NO. It's important to remember there is no "magic number" that will guarantee approval when it comes to credit scores. In addition to the many different credit scores available, lenders and creditors may have their own criteria for approval and may evaluate factors such as your income in making their decision. 

6. What is a FICO^® Score?

A) One of many types of credit scores
B) How much of your credit you're currently using compared to the total amount available to you
C) How many times you've recently applied for credit
D) How many times you've made a payment late or missed a payment

A. A FICO Score is a type of credit score developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation. Like other types of credit scores, a FICO score is a three-digit number, based on information in your credit reports, that is designed to represent your credit risk, or the likelihood you will pay your bills on time.  

7. Your credit scores are calculated using information from:

A) A background check
B) Your friends and neighbors
C) Information in your credit reports
D) Your employer
 

C. Your credit scores are calculated using information in your credit reports, although there are many different credit scoring models. If you have negative information, such as late or missed payments, on your credit reports, your credit scores typically will be impacted.

Checking your credit reports and credit scores regularly may help you better understand your credit situation. You're entitled to a free copy of your credit reports every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

You can also create a myEquifax account to get six free Equifax credit reports each year. In addition, you can click “Get my free credit score” on your myEquifax dashboard to enroll in Equifax Core Credit™ for a free monthly Equifax credit report and a free monthly VantageScore® 3.0 credit score, based on Equifax data. A VantageScore is also one of many types of credit scores.