What are the two most important factors used to calculate a credit score?

The two most important factors used to calculate a credit score are payment history and amounts owed. Payment history accounts for the largest portion of a credit score, reflecting whether an individual has paid past credit accounts on time. Consistent, timely payments demonstrate reliability and responsibility in managing debt, which positively influences the credit score.

Amounts owed, which refers to the total amount of debt relative to the credit limits available, plays a crucial role as well. This factor assesses the credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of revolving credit currently being used compared to the total credit available. A lower ratio indicates better credit management and can lead to a higher credit score.

Together, these factors provide a comprehensive view of an individual's creditworthiness and financial responsibility, making them critical to the scoring process. Other options factor in elements that are not as significant in credit score calculations, thus making them less relevant in this context.