What are the main factors that make up my credit score?

For the widely used FICO model, five categories drive your score. Payment history is the biggest, around 35%: do you pay on time? Amounts owed, especially your credit utilization ratio, is about 30%: how much of your available credit you're using, with under 30% preferred and lower better. Length of credit history is roughly 15%: older accounts help. Credit mix (about 10%) rewards handling different types, like cards and installment loans. New credit and recent hard inquiries make up the last 10%. The two you can move fastest are paying every bill on time and lowering your utilization by paying balances down before the statement closes. Focus there first. You can model changes with the Credit Score Simulator at wealthserene.com/tools/credit-score-simulator.