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07.21.09 | Would You Rather Have a Higher FICO or SAT Score?

Posted in Credit Information by The Platinum Kid

Your FICO score is more important than your SAT score. Ok, we could probably debate the merits of that claim, but the fact is that debate is worth having given how your credit score effects every major purchase in your life.

My Dad helped me build my credit when I was 18 by co-signing a $500 loan for me that I didn’t even need. He instructed me to make the monthly payment consistently to help build my credit, and even kicked in the extra $70 of accrued interest at the end. I didn’t appreciate what he was doing at the time, but two years later when I wanted to purchase a new vehicle I was able to secure the loan by myself. My credit history told the bank I was worthy and responsible. I was independent at 20.

Clearly establishing positive credit history is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, but if you don’t protect your FICO score all your hard work could be vanquished in an instant. That’s why myFICO Score Watch is so important. MyFICO Score Watch serves as your personal safeguard by alerting you immediately when there is a change or query into your credit.

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  • Monitors important changes to your FICO
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  • Easy-to-read view of how lenders see you and items affecting your score
  • Alerts you when you might qualify for better interest rates on loans

You can never have too much protection. Find out what all the hype is about with a 100% Risk-Free 30-Day FREE Trial!

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67 Comments »

  1. Kevin Whelan says

    Great Article

    July 22nd, 2009 | #

  2. Francisco says

    thats a good idea for parents to do

    July 22nd, 2009 | #

  3. Christina says

    Building credit is so important when going out into the real world. It is almost near impossible to get a car or an apartment without a credit score.

    July 23rd, 2009 | #

  4. Jasmine Sias says

    Really good article

    July 23rd, 2009 | #

  5. Balencia says

    Thats something new.

    July 24th, 2009 | #

  6. Aga says

    I agree, really interesting article.

    July 24th, 2009 | #

  7. Gordon's Credit Report says

    I agree with Francisco, this is an excellent idea for parents also. Nice article. thanks

    z1×2z5

    July 26th, 2009 | #

  8. Elizabeth says

    Good info!

    July 31st, 2009 | #

  9. jess says

    Not a bad idea!!

    August 1st, 2009 | #

  10. JAC says

    informative article

    August 7th, 2009 | #

  11. Mariana says

    A high FICO score is VERY important, yet it goes hand-in-hand with the SAT score (at least in my opinion). Great article, thank you!!!:D

    August 7th, 2009 | #

  12. Jonell says

    my mom watches Suzie Orman all the time, and she talks about this. FICO scores are so much more important. Very interesting.

    August 14th, 2009 | #

  13. Evan Haynes says

    A good credit score is definitely important. Being a senior in HS, the SAT is more important to me right now.

    August 19th, 2009 | #

  14. sara hilliard says

    A good credit score is important. With out credit you can’t get the loans to attend college, even if you have a high SAT

    August 28th, 2009 | #

  15. marta e says

    great article it gave me alot of good information

    August 28th, 2009 | #

  16. Kallie Fields says

    This point is very true. Without a good credit score you aren’t able to go very far.

    August 28th, 2009 | #

  17. yekethia rawls says

    I have a daughter in high school and she always asks about certain things in life. And one point i always drive home is never be late on any bills you have to pay

    August 28th, 2009 | #

  18. yekethia rawls says

    Having knowledge of what creditors look at is important in building an acceptable credit score

    August 28th, 2009 | #

  19. dollface says

    good info

    August 29th, 2009 | #

  20. rob says

    SAT for me at the moment, I’m a senior – FICO next year.

    August 29th, 2009 | #

  21. Rachel says

    I just asked my mom about that and she said that wouldnt be the best option for me but i thought it sounded like a good idea as well.

    August 31st, 2009 | #

  22. Michael R. Golden says

    Yes one’s FICO score is important longterm & serious consideration needs to be given to maintain as perfect a score as is possible, since such affects all aspects of one’s financial life. But, the SAT score can initially determine both the college that one is accepted into & the levels of grants/scholarships applicable. Focus on achieving the highest SAT score first, then continue such focus on maintaining a high FICO score.

    September 1st, 2009 | #

  23. Aryelle says

    Sad, but true. Your FICO score will help you out in the long run more than SAT scores. Virtually anyone can get into college these days. But a good FICO score will help you obtain financing for college. Consider the student that doesn’t qualify for federal aid, has no cosignor, or good credit to qualify for a private loan? That’s where the importance of the FICO socre kicks in. And this is not an extreme situation, it happens everyday! Especially with the rising costs of college tuition.

    September 3rd, 2009 | #

  24. Tiara says

    SAT scores were the most important until I was accepted into college. The FICO score is now and will be the most for the rest of my life.

    September 3rd, 2009 | #

  25. Solo says

    I would prefer to be an SAT score.

    September 5th, 2009 | #

  26. Solo says

    I would prefer to take the SAT because i think that it is more important for college acceptance.

    September 5th, 2009 | #

  27. courtney says

    Higher FICO is more important, you can always get in to a community college, do well, and transfer to another university….SAT scores do not count as heavily as a transfer student, but your FICO score not only influences ability to obtain loans, credit cards, etc…but your FICO score will affect you for the rest of your life

    September 8th, 2009 | #

  28. yetunde says

    yes
    i agree

    September 10th, 2009 | #

  29. nicole says

    to me sat courses were everything in high school, but that’s not entirely true because now that im in college i learned that you have to be a well rounded person to succeed in life.

    September 12th, 2009 | #

  30. bianca says

    Sound advice!

    September 15th, 2009 | #

  31. angelica says

    COOL… this article had me very intrested.. i wlways thought s.a.t’s were very important.. now i see FICO are more important

    September 17th, 2009 | #

  32. ayana says

    I will try that!

    September 17th, 2009 | #

  33. Improve Your Credit Score says

    [...] your credit score is a hot topic these days. Several weeks ago I posted an article entitled Would You Rather Have a Higher FICO or SAT Score. And while the views were mixed on which was more important all agreed that both were equally [...]

    September 22nd, 2009 | #

  34. jesse says

    I don1t know about that.

    September 28th, 2009 | #

  35. Kendra says

    I will try that. I think its an awesome idea.

    October 1st, 2009 | #

  36. Justine says

    I didn’t know any of this before reading it. Thanks!

    October 7th, 2009 | #

  37. lisa says

    haha “love my fico”

    October 8th, 2009 | #

  38. Nicholas says

    Interesting read.

    October 11th, 2009 | #

  39. Maria says

    I never knew that a FICO is more important than your SAT… I learned something new today.

    October 14th, 2009 | #

  40. Emily Rintoul says

    What does this all mean?

    October 15th, 2009 | #

  41. jacqueline terrazas says

    i would want to have both of them pretty high….

    October 15th, 2009 | #

  42. Natalia says

    I did not even know what FICO was until I read this. This is good info to know. Now I know how to establish good credit to become independent. The SAT is important only to apply for colleges, but FICO is significant for the rest of one’s life.

    October 16th, 2009 | #

  43. Renee says

    I dont understand

    October 18th, 2009 | #

  44. izel says

    I dont completely understand either

    October 19th, 2009 | #

  45. Rachel Richardson says

    I DID NOT KNOW THAT THANK FOR THE INFOR

    October 21st, 2009 | #

  46. Dee says

    That should be some kind of rite of passage for financial independence. :o

    October 24th, 2009 | #

  47. Brooke says

    I will talk to my parents about that. Right now I need to focus on my ACT score.

    October 24th, 2009 | #

  48. Shannon says

    This is a great article, and a great idea. I think that being able to enhance your credit score at an early age will help you later in life.

    October 26th, 2009 | #

  49. elisa says

    IS REALLY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIGH MY SAT SCORE HIGH

    October 28th, 2009 | #

  50. Ivette says

    wow…. Thats very helpful…. My parents and I should do thats… Great info

    October 29th, 2009 | #

  51. reanetta stokes says

    I agree that building and maintaining your credit is very important- especially if you intend to own property such as a house or a buisness

    October 29th, 2009 | #

  52. Chen says

    You have a smart and good dad who was willing to go to the extra step to help you out.

    October 30th, 2009 | #

  53. winzard says

    i totaly agree

    November 3rd, 2009 | #

  54. Kerisa T says

    I agree also!

    November 3rd, 2009 | #

  55. Lakera says

    and i thought my SAt scores were important!

    November 6th, 2009 | #

  56. Paul Obrejan says

    i always knew SATs werent all that

    November 6th, 2009 | #

  57. Alex says

    good info.

    November 8th, 2009 | #

  58. breezy says

    wow. you learn something everyday.

    November 9th, 2009 | #

  59. ITZEL says

    GREAT ARTICLE……..ITS GOOD INFO.

    November 11th, 2009 | #

  60. Teresa says

    That is so true.

    November 12th, 2009 | #

  61. SaDonna says

    This is a great article. I never knew how important building credit could be up until now. I have to honestly say it is more important than your SAT scores.

    November 12th, 2009 | #

  62. Nevin says

    NO NO NO!!!!!! What is wrong with you people?!?!?! A FICO is nothing!! All it is is an I love debt score. If you have a FICO score that means you have or are currently in debt!! The SAT score is way more important.

    November 13th, 2009 | #

  63. jailany says

    i dont understand and had no idea what fico was

    November 16th, 2009 | #

  64. Diamond says

    I really didnt know nothing about this before today….

    November 18th, 2009 | #

  65. maira says

    it is great

    November 18th, 2009 | #

  66. aye says

    it is important to have a credit history, without credit you have very little options

    November 19th, 2009 | #

  67. Stacie says

    grat information

    November 20th, 2009 | #

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