Do you have a question about consumer credit? You may find an immediate answer by using the search engine. If you can't find what you're looking for, please fill out the form, being as specific as possible.
Please note: The Ask Experian team cannot respond to each question individually. However, if your question is of interest to a wide audience of consumers, the Experian team will include it in a future column.
Our policies
The information contained in this column if for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.
You should consult your own attorney or seek specific advice from a legal professional regarding
your particular situation.
Please understand that Experian policies change over time. Column responses reflect Experian policy at the time of writing. While maintained for your information, archived responses may not reflect current Experian policy.
Credit Advice
Topics addressed on February 4, 2009:
VantageScore grade of “B” is very good
Dear Experian,
I have a “B” rating with an 838 score. Is this regarded as a good score?
- EFF
Dear EFF,
Yes, 838 is a very good score. The score you refer to is a VantageScore. It is the only scoring system I am aware of that associates the numbers with a grading scale similar to report card grades in school.
The idea is to help give some context to the numbers by comparing them to something we are all familiar with. It is a good idea and does give you a better idea of what the numbers represent, but it isn’t a perfect comparison.
The VantageScore numbers and grades the ranges compare to are:
901-990 A Super Prime
801-900 B Prime Plus
701-800 C Prime
601-700 D Non-Prime
501-600 F High Risk
The third column lists the more common lending terms you may hear and their relative relationship to the VantageScore number and letter scales. As with most other scores, the higher your score, the less risk you represent in terms of lending and the greater likelihood you will get the best rates and terms available.
For more about the VantageScore and what the numbers and letters mean, visit http://www.vantagescore.experian.com.
The key to having good credit scores, no matter what score is used, is to focus on managing your credit wisely rather than getting too hung up on the number, or in this case letter. If you pay your bills on time and keep your balances low, your scores will take care of themselves. Over time your scores will get better.
Thanks for asking.
- The "Ask Experian" team