In the 1980s, Fair, Isaac and Company devised a mathematical model
to predict the credit risk of consumers based on the data collected
from an individual's credit report. Today, the Fair, Isaac (or FICO®)
system is the scoring model most widely used by lenders. The score
ranges from 300 to 850, with a higher score indicating a lower credit
risk.
Potential lenders will usually review your credit report and use various
methods to determine your credit risk. In other words, they will determine
your ability and likelihood to repay debt.