This article is the last article in our article on your fico credit score series, where we will explain in detail each component of your credit score calculation. In the first four parts of this series, we explained how the payment history, the amount owed, the length of the credit history, and the credit combination affect the calculation of the FICO credit score. In the final article, you'll learn about the effects of applying for a new credit card, as well as the difference between hard credit and soft credit inquiry.