Credit 101 · Interactive
Credit, without the boring parts.
A few minutes, a couple of games, and you'll actually understand how this stuff works. Start with the quiz.
This page teaches general credit concepts — it's not personalized advice, and no one (including us) can guarantee specific results.
01
What's your credit score IQ?
Five quick questions. Instant feedback. Zero judgment.
True or false: Carrying a balance on your credit card helps your score.
02
The 5 ingredients of your score
Click a slice to see how much it actually matters.
35% of your score
Payment history
Whether you pay on time. The single biggest lever. One 30-day late can sting for a year or more.
03
Pick your path
Different starting points, different playbooks.
Individual results vary — no strategy on this page guarantees a specific score outcome.
04
Myth or fact?
Read the statement. Pick before you peek.
Card 1 of 6
"You need to carry a balance to build credit."
05
Glossary
Tap any card to flip it. Search to filter.
06
How long does it stay?
Negative items don't live forever. Here's the clock.
Hard inquiry
Score impact fades much sooner.
Late payment
From the original delinquency date.
Collection
Even if you pay it, entry usually remains.
Charge-off
You still owe the underlying debt.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy
From the filing date.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy
The longest-lasting item.
If you'd rather not DIY
Want this handled for you instead?
We tell you which items are worth disputing and which to leave alone, then draft the letters. You mail them. One-time price.
See how SwiftCredit works →General education, not personalized advice. No one — including us — can guarantee specific score results.