What Makes Up The Score?
35% = based on payment history (i.e. on-time pays or delinquencies)
More weight on current pay history
30% = evolving credit/proportion of balance to high credit limit 
15% = length of credit 
10% = mix of credit 
Installment (raises) vs. revolving (lowers) 
the more # of finance company loans, the lower the score


What Actions Will Hurt the Score?
Missing payments (regardless of $ amounts...it will take 24 mo to restore credit with one late pay) 
Credit cards at capacity (i.e. maxing out credit cards) 
Closing credit cards out (this lowers available capacity) 
Shopping for credit excessively 
Opening up numerous trades in a short time period 
Having more revolving loans in relation to installment loans 
Borrowing from finance companies 
What Doesn't Affect the Score?

Debt ratio 
Income 
Length of residence 
Length of employment


Approximate Credit Weight for Each Year
40% = current to 12 months 
30% = 13-24 months 
20% = 25-36 months 
10% = 37 + months


How to Improve the Score?
Pay down on credit cards 
Do not close credit cards 
Continue to make payments on time (older late pays will become less significant with time) 
Slow down on opening new accounts